For restaurants, especially smaller, local establishments, Covid-19 has meant major challenges. For some, the new rules could mean an end to their business. Jersey Jobs and Biz’s Patrice Sikora caught up with Steve Kotsadam who owns and manages the Falls Kitchen, in Little Falls, Passaic County. Steve has made adjustments so he can stay open, but times are tough and filing forms online for aid programs is problematic.

BTW, full disclosure...Patrice is a customer and loves the Falls Kitchen’s pea soup which is served on Thursdays.

You can reach Steve at [email protected]. If you and your business have a Covid-19 story to share, go to our website jerseyjobs and biz.com or email us at info@jerseyjobs and biz.

For Josh Cary, the show must go on. That doesn't mean the impacts of COVID-19 are being felt. As the host of the Hidden Entrepreneur Show and a partner in On Air Brands and Podmax, adjusting to this new norm has been a challenge. They've had to close the doors to their podcast studio and cancel their in-person events meant to help businesses get discovered.

But for Josh there's also been an emotional impact. Despite hosting a show called The Hidden Entrepreneur, he actually thrives off physical interaction with others. And having had the pleasure of meeting him a few times, I can vouch for the fact that his energy can easily lift any spirits. As you can imagine, social distancing is keeping him from one of the things that always lifts his spirits and the people around him.

In this chat, we talk about how the shelter in place rules have impacted him personally, the hits to the business, but the steps they are taking to pivot and adjust to keep things moving.

By the way, if you're a small business looking to tell your story and reach a larger audience, know is a great time to connect with them get started.

Learn more at https://www.onairbrands.com/ or podmax.co and check out The Hidden Entrepreneur podcast at https://joshcary.com/podcast/

And follow On Air Brands on Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/onairbrands/, Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/onairbrandsLIVE/, YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCspx7O_KauB7yLP0ELkym2Q, and LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/onairbrands/

If you have a story to share please fill out the contact form at JerseyJobsAndBiz.com or you can email us directly at [email protected]. And we are starting a facebook group for NJ residents to discuss the impact on them and share resources with others in the Garden State.

COVID-19 is not a friend of dog trainers. The job is inherently face to face with pet parents and their canines, which makes social distancing and hunkering down at home awkward to say the least. Jersey Jobs and Biz’s Patrice Sikora talks to Maria Pantin, a dog trainer based in Somerset County. Maria is checking out creative possibilities while her employer Camp Bow Wow remains closed.

You can reach Maria at maria the dog [email protected].

If you have a story to share please fill out the contact form at JerseyJobsAndBiz.com or you can email us directly at [email protected]. And we are starting a facebook group for NJ residents to discuss the impact on them and share resources with others in the Garden State.

Patrice and Mathew talk about what some of their routine activities are like now in the world of sheltering-in-place, our makeshift solutions to new rules that require wearing a mask when you go out, and what we can and can’t find at the grocery stores. 

We talk about the hope that exists as we see positive impact of social-distancing efforts across New Jersey. However, why it’s not a reason to celebrate or assume we can go back to normal soon. 

If you have a story to share please fill out the contact form at JerseyJobsAndBiz.com or you can email us directly at [email protected]. And we are starting a facebook group for NJ residents to discuss the impact on them and share resources with others in the Garden State.

Being a franchisee can offer its own support network in rough times, but that doesn’t mean these business owners aren’t facing stress and difficult decisions fueled by Covid-19. Jersey Jobs and Biz’s Patrice Sikora talks to Randy DeFazio, the co-owner of Camp Bow Wow in Bridgewater, about trying to adapt to the changing situation, making the decision to temporarily close, and applying for assistance.

You can reach Randy at [email protected].

If you have a story to share please fill out the contact form at JerseyJobsAndBiz.com or you can email us directly at [email protected]. And we are starting a facebook group for NJ residents to discuss the impact on them and share resources with others in the Garden State.

Nick Goblirsch started his painting business in 2019. After a long career in the HR world and as a digital content creator. His attention to detail and the care he shows his clients has helped his business grow well. It's that same care, attention to detail, and ability to communicate the precautions he is taking amid the COVID-19 outbreak that has kept him busy during the Pandemic.

If you're in South Jersey and want to use this time to do some renovation, you can connect with Nick via Facebook, Instagram, or by calling/texting him at 609-515-6374.

And if you're looking for a good listen, check out his long running podcast The Dependent Independent.

If you have a story to share please fill out the contact form at JerseyJobsAndBiz.com or you can email us directly at [email protected]. And we are starting a facebook group for NJ residents to discuss the impact on them and share resources with others in the Garden State.

Mathew Passy and Patrice Sikora offer a quick take on the latest Covid-19 updates and preview the new episodes on Jersey Jobs and Biz.

They look at the latest figures specifically in the Garden State and what seems like a logjam in relief promised to small businesses nationwide.

And while there are signs that the curve is flattening and new cases are slowing in this area, there are still many who think normal life isn't coming back anytime soon.

The pair also preview the first two interviews that will be introduced in the show.

Patrice highlights the Randy DeFazio, the co-owner of Camp Bow Wow in Bridgewater, Somerset County. Randy was forced to close temporarily but is testing virtual opens for dog training, among other things. Mathew introduces Nick Goblirsch, owner of IheartPaintingNJ, who is seeing demand boom as businesses and homeowners use this time to their decorating advantage.

If you have a story to share please fill out the contact form at JerseyJobsAndBiz.com or you can email us directly at [email protected]. And we are starting a facebook group for NJ residents to discuss the impact on them and share resources with others in the Garden State.

Jersey Jobs & Biz is your place to hear from other business owners and entrepreneurs in the Garden State.

This podcast is a community where you can discuss and share problems, solutions and ideas. It is a timely forum built with input from you, in your own words.

In this time of unprecedented change and uncertainty, we can learn and grow from each other as we weather tough times.

Find your voice and contact us at: jerseyjobsandbiz.com and [email protected]

We want your thoughts and interviews to set the topics and power the conversation on Jersey Jobs & Biz.

This is your community for inspiration during the Covid-19 pandemic. You are not alone. Connect. Share. Support.

Contact us at: [email protected]

Let’s get this Jersey-thing going.