My favorite thing about growing up in Starkville is the people that make up our community. Sure, I love the atmosphere of a college town and everything that comes with it, but it is the people that make the difference. It's the people that teach us in school. It's the people that we tailgate with at ballgames. It's the people that we visit with and worship with at church each week. And, it is the people that serve our community through their local businesses. As we as a church reflect on the effects that COVID-19 has had on our community, we cannot help but think about the people who serve us through their local businesses.

I recently had the opportunity to reach out to three different business owners from our church body: Eric Hallberg, owner of The Breakfast Club; Hunter and Hannah Bell, owners of Mom and Pop Food Truck; and Chris Pollan, owner of Pollan Promos. I asked them a few questions, not only about how COVID-19 has changed the way they do business but also how they have kept their eyes fixed on Christ when everything around them seems to be shifting. This list is certainly not exhaustive. There are numerous business owners and employees that God has placed in our church, but I hope that a glimpse into the life of these three might give you some insight into all of the hard work they put in to serve us as a community. I hope this will also give you some insight into the type of people God has placed in our church and blessed us with to serve the community of Starkville. Let's take a look at the people behind the business.

What has life and business been like for you since the coronavirus outbreak? 

Eric Hallberg, The Breakfast Club:
We have had to stretch ourselves both professionally and personally in order to remain afloat. In our restaurant, The Breakfast Club, we initially had to lay people off and decrease our hours. This was a very difficult thing for me to do because I have never been in a position to have to do that in 18 years of owning a restaurant. Fortunately, we have been able to bring employees back after receiving a payroll loan. Due to a steady catering contract that we have, we were able to manage those first few weeks when the uncertainty was so daunting. Life has certainly been different for our family. 

It has been a blessing to be at home with just the five of us. With the onset of personal technology and travel sports in the last 20-25 years, I would say that it has been years since families have spent this much focused time together playing games, puzzles, taking daily family walks, fishing, etc. This has actually been a positive outcome during a very uncertain time. Of course, the financial impact this has had on us as small business owners is never far from my mind.

Could you tell us a little bit about how you have changed or modified your business strategy in order to keep serving our community? How have you given back to the community?

Hunter and Hannah Bell, Mom and Pop Food Truck:
We modified our business to do home deliveries so that we could practice social distancing the best way possible and so that our community could still get great food at home. After all, all the parents that have been adjusting to "home schooling" deserve a cooking break.

Chris Pollan, Pollan Promos:
To help the community and our clients, we have prayed for them, mentored other business owners experiencing challenges, donated signs to restaurants across the community, discounted and donated to various governmental agencies, partnered with various individuals or businesses that wanted to do things for others, helped recognize graduating seniors with banners, signs, t-shirts, etc. Significant discounts have been provided to various churches working to encourage and help their members through special projects.

Could you share one verse, or passage of scripture that has been an encouragement to you during this season?

Eric Hallberg, The Breakfast Club :

"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Matthew 14:28-29

As I was reading one morning the title was "Fear calls out our doubts, GOD calls out our names." I took to heart one thing for sure: He has not allowed this for no reason and if we keep our eye on Him, we will survive the storm. I have asked myself, "When we come out of this economic nightmare, what will I have changed personally to better myself and my family?" That is what I am trying to focus on—being a better husband, father, and business owner. I would hate to take my eye off of the Lord and sink, but the human side of us is not always so patient. I kind of chuckle thinking that our Lord and Savior is saying "I've settled you down so that you can see what you have been missing, I hope you don't dive back into the deep when the rat race begins again."

Hunter and Hannah Bell, Mom and Pop Food Truck:
A passage that always sticks out to our family is Romans 12:2: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. We believe that no matter what the circumstances are, His will is perfect.

What has reopening looked like for you? Or, what are your plans for reopening when the time comes?

Chris Pollan, Pollan Promos:
Pollan Promos has re-opened normal hours Monday through Friday to the general public. The response has been very strong. We will continue putting the safety of others first in all that we do through sanitizing/disinfecting, requiring masks when necessary, adjusting hours, setting appointments after our normal business hours if it's more convenient for others, striving to help with special needs projects and the priorities of our existing and potential clients. Our plan is always to serve our community.

Hunter and Hannah Bell, Mom and Pop Food Truck:
We have just started transitioning to setting up as a normal food truck and we have been doing that by partnering up with other local businesses to hopefully draw our customers towards local businesses they may have never tried before. Hopefully, if the virus dies down, we will be able to continue this as our pattern in "reopening" or transitioning into a normal routine for us.

Eric Hallberg, The Breakfast Club:
We have recently opened back at 50% capacity and are still doing takeout and curbside. We have taken this opportunity to deep clean, sanitize, and reorganize our workstations. We are adhering to safety guidelines, as I would say all of our area restaurants are. It is still very slow after finally opening our dining room, but hopefully, customers will become more comfortable eating out. We have been so blessed by the family of FBC in all of our years of business. We know that our community will get out and support our local restaurants and businesses when they feel comfortable doing so. God bless!

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I trust that these quotes from a few of our church members who own and operate local businesses in our community will provide you some perspective into their lives. I know I am not alone when I say that I am thankful for the people in this article and all of the local businesses that serve our Starkville community. I am thankful that God has placed these people in our community, but I'm extra thankful they have been placed in our church as they seek to carry out the mission of the church through their businesses. 

What can you do? 

1. Pray for our local business owners. Ask God to give them comfort in a time of uncertainty. Ask God to give them wise direction as they take steps toward reopening. 

2. Write them a letter of encouragement. Let them know you are praying for them. Encourage them with the truth of God's Word. 

3. Support their businesses. Swing by for a meal to-go or stop in to purchase their items. Leave a positive review online. Our support for them goes a long way.