Launched in a Pandemic: Year One Lessons from ELY Public Affairs
- ELY
- Jul 7
- 2 min read
Starting something from scratch always comes with a steep learning curve, especially in year one. But it’s also true that most new business owners don’t launch during a global pandemic.
Starting a firm focused on external engagement and community building during COVID might sound risky, but it turned out to be the perfect moment for two big reasons. First, people were craving connection. Families (mine included) started global Zoom calls, and friends formed pods just to stay in touch. Second, digital engagement tools went from optional to essential. What used to be a "nice-to-have" quickly became the backbone of how we communicate. I announced my engagement to my family over Zoom. My husband was sworn into his new job on Microsoft Teams. We all have stories like that.
People were more open to trying new things and even more forgiving when we fumbled the mute button.
What it did do was reaffirm why I started ELY Public Affairs. The desire people have to connect with each other and with their communities is powerful and it can be harnessed to be a force for positive change. It may be a little Pollyannaish, but it's a lesson I carry with me every day.
That first year wasn’t always smooth between business planning, market planning, filling out paperwork to form and expand the business, the 10 months of constant nagging that it took to secure my women-owned small business designation from the US Small Business Administration, the never ending option of productivity apps; balancing the twin goals of running the business and doing the work required new time management strategies that I hadn’t previously needed. However, as a confidence builder, it was also incredibly empowering.
And despite my absolute obsessive compulsion to find a better to-do list app, ELY Public Affairs has survived and grown. The foundation that was built on persistence, adaptability, and a whole lot of support set the stage for everything that would come next.
In our next post on 5 reflections for 5 years, we’ll look at how we shifted our focus toward deeper, more intentional stakeholder engagement.
We'd Love to Hear From You
Join the conversation on LinkedIn. What’s a lesson you learned working with us or during that time?
