Business Solutions for Winter 2021

WINTER 2021 5 SOLUTIONS In addition, T&K Designs has started putting together DIY craft kits for children that contain all the wood pieces, paint, and brushes to make a decorative box. Switching Gears During the Pandemic How has Hodges responded to the challenges of the pandemic? She replied, “T&K Designs experienced a 50 percent drop in sales in March/April 2020. I adjusted things so customers could reach out to me online to order without the need to come into the store. I also began to offer curbside pickup. Sales came back in May/June, but getting apparel became difficult due to reduced supplies. Manufacturers were pulling employees off of apparel in order to make masks. I had to reach out to more vendors and develop new relationships to get what I needed—a bit like putting a puzzle together. Then we had a surge in orders starting in October, when companies had to spend their remaining 2020 budgets. Our fourth quarter sales were our biggest ever, and they’re still going strong.” Strong Panora Connections Panora Telco provides internet, phone, and IT services to T&K Designs to help the business stay connected and work efficiently. Hodges appreciates the respon- siveness of the Panora Telco team. “The people at Panora Telco are great. They’re always prompt getting back to me whenever I need something. Last year, my computer was hacked remotely, and on the same day it happened, a Panora Telco technician was here to fix the problem. I also value the speed and reliability of the internet service, since 75 percent of the machines at T&K Designs are internet-based systems,” she said. Not only is T&K Designs a Panora Telco customer, but Panora Telco is a customer of T&K Designs. Hodges embroiders the logo on Solutions Technology Experience Center apparel. This type of local relationship is indicative of her commitment to the community. She said, “I’m from Guthrie Center and married into the Panora community. Since I was a volleyball player, I was approached to become the volleyball coach here, which has been a wonderful way to meet people. I also joined the Chamber when T&K Designs moved to Main Street. Now I’m on the Chamber’s retail committee and networking with people who have the same goals I do. We support each other.” Clearly, this T-shirt business suits Panora to a T. WHO’S MINDING YOUR BUSINESS? David Garland IT Technician David Garland is starting his seventh year at Panora Communications Cooperative and Guthrie Center Communications. No year has been like 2020, with the pandemic impacting customer needs and his workload as IT Technician. “COVID-19 disrupted the traditional work environment. Lots of families now have both spouses working from home along with kids attending remote learn- ing sessions, often simultaneously,” Garland said. He continued, “This change in internet usage often identifies issues not foreseen or experienced previously. We’ve seen numerous households increase their internet speeds to accommodate mul- tiple Zoom meetings or multiple online learning sessions. Older Wi-Fi routers are also being replaced with newer models and/or Wi-Fi network extender devices due to more connected devices in the home. Additionally, some businesses have needed to update their office routers with VPN features to enable employees to work fromhome and still access office resources.” When not working—and weather permitting—Garland and his wife like to relax in their backyard getaway. He noted, “We enjoy venturing out to sec- ond-hand stores and finding treasures to decorate our home and backyard.“ The people at Panora Telco are great. They’re always prompt getting back to me whenever I need something.” — COURTNEY HODGES, OWNER, T&K DESIGNS