The Big Hug for Small Business
Charlie of Charlie's Kabob Grill is a local icon in his small community of Wake Forest, NC
How do you reconcile this moment of uncertainty? Self or imposed quarantining when everything in your core wants to help your community, your neighbors, your friends? The stat today was 15% of restaurants may not make it due to lost revenue during the COVID-19 crisis. I live in a small community in Wake Forest, NC. It’s a place where locals have embraced transplants from all over the country in record numbers. One transplant came here over a decade ago from Lebanon and spoke no English. He started out as a food delivery worker, learning the language and becoming a US citizen. He worked incredibly hard and eventually started a small Mediterranean restaurant called Charlie's Kabob Grill. His mission was to treat anyone who walked through his doors as family preparing an incredible meal made in front of the customer. His stories of helping the underprivileged, local students, 1st responders, young mothers, and dozens of other groups are legendary. He has become an absolute pillar in the community becoming Yelps highest rated restaurant in Wake Forest without paying for placement, just winning over one customer at a time.
When I asked him how he was doing during this unprecedented time, he said “Good, I want to figure out how to donate my time and food for the health care workers in our community.” His first words were how he could take care of the people in his community… He didn’t lead with how his way of life has been utterly rocked, along with so many others. Can a small family owned business like his make it? Can we give the Big Hug to our Small Businesses? One of the best ideas I heard was supporting small businesses through gift cards. It provides them cash now for services later. Your local family owned business may have turned to delivery or even selling products via a grocery store business model. They are all being forced to reinventing the way they service their community, most without help or a playbook.
For all the Charlie’s Kabob’s in your community, let’s support them like never before. Even though most of us are quarantined we can still make a positive impact in our communities.
Charlie's Kabob Grill; 2 Locations
929 Heritage Lake Rd: (919) 453-6284
12235 Capital Blvd: (919) 554-0938
Wake Forest, NC 27587
Results-Driven Account Manager| Biopharmaceutical leader| District Manager| 6x Presidents Club winner |4 MVP award| 2x Team Excellence Proven Biotech leader in driving growth and fostering a collaborative process
1 年Love Charlie and his entire Family. Been a customer from day one.
Executive Director, Human Resources | Business Partner & Talent Acquisition | Culture Champion | Ally | Dreamer | Doer | Force Multiplier
4 年You are the best kind of people Jason. ??
Senior Training and Education Manager - Renal Pharma
4 年Excellent read - and so many of our locally owned companies and restaurants have helped out our communities through years of Booster Club sponsorships (I know...I hound them annually), donations for school fundraisers, gift cards, spirit nights, and the list goes on. It’s time to show them some love and support in return.
Executive Immunology Sales Specialist at Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc.
4 年Your post to support small businesses is spot-on!?In our family, we too are doing what we can to support our local, small businesses.?We have pre-paid for haircuts, order pizza and food from local shops, bought meat from a local butcher shop, my wife even had her hair-stylist drop off hair color products since she can't work from her salon.?Two days ago my wife and her Bunco friends had a Facebook live "Bunco" (since they can't meet in person) and shared ways they could also help others.? We are extremely lucky to work for companies like Gilead and Takeda who continue to pay us while we work from home - I am truly appreciative of that gift. I have owned a small business before - I understand the struggle to make payroll and daily living expenses meet. I hope that many more people read and follow your message on your post.
Certified Professional Compliance Officer, Regulatory/Pharma Compliance, Vendor/Contract Mgr., HCP/ Sales Force Trainer, HCP Speaker Program Manager/ Advisory Brd prgms mgt, Cert. Prof. Coder-A, Inventor Patent Holder.
4 年Agree Jason! I love the small restaurants that are not only offering to go/take out orders, but some are also offering to sell their surplus of items as well to keep their communities going. Who would of thought I'd be buying my eggs from the Homestead STEAK house in Timberlake? :-) Take care!