PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Business owners who cater to events in Palm Beach County say they are changing their operations to endure the financial crunch.
Althea Smith, the owner of a flower business called Tropic all Blooms n' More, said her operations have bloomed for four years.
"January to June, it's wedding season for us, two to three events every weekend for every month," Smith said.
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COVID-19 has caused the last four months to be complicated.
"People who paid for their weddings, we had to return their money and then all the monies that we had booked up to cover for whatever were canceled," Smith said.
For the first time in her career, she said she was drowning in debt. Then she got creative with her business.
"We had no choice but to keep on working," Smith said.
Smaller weddings and events meant less money, but Smith said by doubling her workload, she has been able to stay afloat.
"I can't stop, if I stop then, I'll definitely drown ... you go to keep pushing," Smith said.
Shirley Desir, an event planner and owner of Desired Events by Shirley, said she's thankful she didn't have to cancel any events because of COVID-19. Her clients chose to reschedule.
"What I've done, and what I would recommend other business owners to do, is to start finding things you need to get better at to enhance your business," Desir said.