Happy Graze, Joey Scandizzo Salon, Digital Eagles thriving during coronavirus crisis
The coronavirus pandemic has brought countless Melbourne businesses to their knees, with thousands out work or facing career uncertainty. But some local businesses are suddenly booming. Here’s how they’ve kept afloat.
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The coronavirus crisis has devastated the economy and countless local businesses — but surprisingly, some are thriving.
Here’s a list of Melbourne businesses that are booming after finding new ways to be savvy and innovative:
Happy Graze
This Cranbourne West business is making it easy to cater for by delivering the goodies right to your door.
Jackie Walker, who started Happy Graze last year, said she was inspired to create the business as she was passionate about feeding others.
“I went to a birthday party and I saw a grazing table and I looked at it and thought I could definitely do this at an affordable price,” Ms Walker said.
She said she then began to create take away boxes, which became hugely popular during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I got tagged in a Mornington Peninsula food delivery service page that started up and after I advertised on there, it just went mental.”
Joey Scandizzo Salon
Due to Stage 4 restrictions, hairdressers and other beauty services remain closed.
But this hasn’t stopped one South Yarra business from offering virtual hair consultations via Zoom with salon experts.
The business has also started a new online store, with participants of the virtual consultations receiving 10 per cent off their first online purchase.
Celebrity hairdresser Joey Scandizzo said the salon was offering hair tutorials on social media and selling a range of hair products online.
“You can still look and feel great from home and if you’re not sure how to do your hair, we’ll teach you in our tutorials on Instagram,” Mr Scandizzo said.
“We’ve had to adapt and open up an online store and we’ll still be selling all of our products and delivering them.”
Berwick fashion retailers
The owners of Little Blackbird on High St in Berwick and nearby Gilda Boutique on Gloucester Ave, have been offering free delivery during Stage 4 restrictions.
Both businesses continue to post the latest styles to their Instagram accounts, with loyal customers snapping them up.
Gilda stocks brands including Wish, Cooper St, Mavi Jeans, Cartel & Willow and Elm.
While, Little Blackbird sells brands including Pasduchas, Jaase and Naudic.
Digital Eagles
Marketing agency Digital Eagles, who have an office in Narre Warren, has seen a demand for websites as businesses transition to online.
Chief executive Ryan Jenkins said demand for websites had “tripled” since March.
“We’re seeing customers that have never had any type of web presence at all and we help them build a website and digital marketing strategy,” Mr Jenkins said.
He said the business had also adapted to working from home since restrictions began.
“Speed of change and being open to new ways has been critical in our success,’’ Mr Jenkins said.
“We’ve been working from home since March and this has increased productivity and we’re able to get more done in a shorter space of time as our team is able to focus more.”
Dig if U will
Located in the heart of Oakleigh, Dig if U will offers curated giftwares, homewares and fashion accessories.
The shop’s offering includes ceramic tile art, faux fur throws, fashion illustrations and bespoke candles.
Owner Vaya Giagtzis said she was grateful her customers had continued to order items during coronavirus restrictions.
“Many have stayed loyal and it’s truly appreciated. More than anything I love the connections I make with my customers … I can relate to them and I love my work so much,” Ms Giagtzis said.
Hiring Outfit
Hiring Outfit, based in Melbourne’s southeast, which specialises in renting designer dresses for events and other special occasions, has still thrived despite restrictions in Victoria.
Owner Chanel Dimopoulos, of Glen Waverley, said having the ability to post interstate had “saved the business”.
“Being online and having the ability to post interstate has helped the business so much,” Ms Dimopoulos said.
Hiring Outfits stocks brands including Dion Lee, Zimmerman and Bec and Bridge.
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