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Layoffs, salary cuts, no prospects – work of small and medium businesses have stopped more than a month ago. Companies like slept like the dead. Businessmen see no real assistance in the measures proposed by the government. Many deny loans, refuse to reduce the rent. Businessmen from different cities of Russia told how they were affected by the crisis caused by the pandemic and coronavirus as they try to survive.

Pskov: “for the First time ask the state support — and nothing”

Pavel Oberemko, managing children’s entertainment centre: “I am 37 years old, 5 of them I in the children’s business. Your game center, with a turnover of 1-1,5 million rubles. per month, opened in the summer of 2018. Subordinate to only 10 people.

panic On the news about coronavirus people abruptly ceased to be interested in entertainment. Even before the official announcement of the isolation of the customers refused the services our children’s center.

After the announcement of the President on national output we have given our employees a salary, and that’s a third of the total turnover and closed with zero counts. Next, I tried to get the support of local authorities. But in Fund of support of businessmen said that they have no money.

Then the Mall, which was our children’s centre was closed. In a large shopping complex we took the 700 sq. m.: was purchased trampolines, rides, a maze, bumper cars and everything else that kids love. Thank God, the owner of the shopping center took our questions on rent and do not have to pay.

Before he announced the withdrawal, we were worried about the process of collapse of the ruble: people could be significantly less money on entertainment – even children. But, I think, if not for the Declaration of a pandemic, we would have coped with it the ruble. Now, however, changing consumer habits. Prices are rising, incomes are falling. I think when we were allowed to open the children’s center will still be empty. As representatives of small business, regularly paying taxes and contributions, we first asked the state for support — and nothing.”

Kursk: “I am a mother of two children, the loan was denied”

Olga Belenko, individual entrepreneur: “Word “entrepreneur” for me before sounded proud, and now – as a fatal diagnosis. I am 40 years old and I’m a hairdresser-technologist, and I generator two start-UPS — child model Agency and the first in Kursk exhibition of beauty. In connection with the spread of the infection, it was decided to move the exhibition. Work modeling agencies for children from 5 to 15 years also had to be suspended.

on March 28, I closed my hair salon and my only source of income – while officially until April 30. And it’s not the fact that in may, after the holidays, we will be able to open.

At the end of March, I regularly ��have platila taxes and fulfilled all financial obligations to the landlord, so at the end of the insulation to pay just for 2 months — it will be very difficult. Financial savings — there is only a consumer Bank loan, obligations to which I can not perform. Sent to the Bank the application with a request for the promised loan vacation was rejected.

But I have two children who need to be fed. The business was the only source of income. Food prices are rising, a receipt for payment of utility bills come regularly. Even if I managed to get the Bank to delay loan – little help. It will just increase the financial burden in the future.

I got to thinking about the urgency of applying for a job. But in the period of the pandemic useless skills and knowledge of an economist by training, Manager with great experience.

To date, I don’t know what to do when the supply of macaroni.”

Kaluga: “the Volume of orders fell by half,”

Maxim Korotkov, the owner of the printing house: “My business exists already for 22 years. Before the crisis, our monthly turnover was 2.5-3 million rubles. Printing has been producing labels, packaging, promotional products.

the Situation in the world and the country has affected our production immediately. First, the rise of the dollar and the Euro led to a rise in price of expendable materials. Back in March we were forced to raise prices for finished products at 9-20 %. Orders for promotional products, as well as the label and packaging of non-food products fell to zero. To pay the salaries of the staff (the production employs 10 people), help raised orders for the label for disinfectants and food packaging. However, in total for the month the volume of orders fell 2 times.

In the Kaluga region has developed specific support measures for small and medium-sized enterprises, which were due to coronavirus in a difficult situation. Among the support measures — the deferral of taxes, interest-free loans to the salary, the annulment of the lease of municipal property.

the problem is that these support measures refer only to the approved list of industries, among them our presents. A glimmer of hope for a reset of the rent for municipal land, which is nearly 1 million a year. But while such assistance is legally not registered anywhere”.

Elena Sivtsov owner of beauty salon: “My business 7 years, but now I’m close to despair. The lease was not canceled, and make customers prohibited by law. A man came from the Ministry the official document and said that you need to close the salon until the end of the quarantine. Otherwise we are threatened with the penalty — 300 thousand rubles. As one of the local establishments have already got the money, OSlucases decree from the top, we had to hang out a closed sign.

the Only way to keep at least some of the customers and keep employee salaries — to provide services at home. But, first, people are reluctant to host outsiders for fear of coronavirus. Secondly, I have an honest and transparent business. Leaving the client’s home, my staff feels some criminals. Yes, perhaps our actions do not comply with the law, but otherwise we risk losing everything.

the owner of the premises, which is not recognized circumstances of force majeure and the rent is not canceled. And in April, when the door of the room tightly closed and no one is in it, we have to pay the full amount of $ 45 thousand.

In the current situation I and my staff even credit can’t afford, as it is not known whether it will be possible to give it. Until then, we’ve taken the liberty and leave to the customers, respecting all safety measures: work in masks and gloves, use sanitizer. We care about customers, believe in what we’re doing is important to them, and I hope that the government will appreciate it and will help us in the circumstances in which we are absolutely not guilty.”

Moscow: if the pandemic is delayed, will the lack of soap

Anastasia the Bar, the founder of the Internet cosmetics shop: “Our business exists for one year. In March, the company came under a double blow: the coronavirus pandemic and the soaring rate of the Euro. We are the distributor of the French soap factories, and, of course, buy goods for currency. In the framework of anti-crisis measures until the raise: we understand that in the current environment, the consumer appreciates the product will not pull.

as we partner with different online stores until you fix the sharp fall in demand for products. Order to be until the money runs out.

meanwhile, the delivery of cosmetics from France to Russia increased and became unpredictable. On the borders of the European Union has accumulated a tube of fur, and at this time our shipping partners are unable to name the date of the receipt of the next party to our Moscow warehouse. If the situation drags on for another 2 or 3 month, there will be a shortage of soap and cosmetics.

the store is not suspended, because soap is the product of the first necessity. But all employees were transferred to work remotely and only come for the Assembly and dispatch of orders, reduced the number of couriers in Moscow. For obvious reasons wages have been reduced, but layoffs are trying to avoid.

Acute question of rent: the owner of the business center refused to grant rent holidays, citing the lack of force majeure. And p�� fact there is the need to pay for room that is not used. In addressing this issue, the support of business and state structures could be larger.

Viktor Lobzin, co-owner of Spanish restaurant in Moscow: “the Business 3.5 years. Since mid-March, visitors almost was not. The idea of delivery, few believed, but decided to try it. Suddenly — gone. At the last moment – on the border of March and April – we managed to agree even about the cancellation of the rent of the premises.

About profits, of course, the question now is not, but at least able to “recapture” the salaries of employees. All staff hold does not work out, but for the most part managed to keep. The restaurant continues to operate and cooks, and bartenders, but not all at once. The scheme is as follows: one is included in the process, three of them are sitting at home. And so one by one.

supply yet. The majority of products purchased in Russia, and some, for example, certain varieties of olive oil, was purchased in store from our European partners. An unpleasant addition to the overall picture has become a speculation. We all remember how just a week at times spike in the price of certain foods — ginger, lemons. Restaurateurs — and not only them — wonder how this is possible and why no one controls the process?

as for state support, we don’t feel. Credit payment has not been canceled, they’re just piling up and at some point will have to pay.

I see what the situation is from your colleagues and tears, literally in the face of crumbling businesses. See what’s happening with people losing their jobs and remain without means of subsistence. But now that we calmed down a bit. So, you know, the stage of acceptance of the reality that is. We are positive guys: I believe we have a chance to survive and will soon begin to work in a former mode”.

Pavel Frolov, the founder of the company for the development and production of educational robotics: “We are engaged in manufacturing robotic kits with which children from 5 to 15 years learning to invent, create and program robots.

Before the crisis, we have exported our products to schools and clubs robotics, but in March they began to slowly close, and in April was closed already all 130 circles. Production of sets rose. In General, the market of additional children’s education is one of the most affected areas, although talking about it is rare.

But we were able to slightly adapt to current conditions. And while we even manage to keep all the staff. Quickly launched distance learning programming and 3D modeling — that is, those which do not need additional equipment. Thanks to this we managed to retain 80% of the students, they now learn online. In this case we are not talking about webinars in the record, and full “live” lessons with a teacher in a group up to 5 people”.

George Galoyan, an IT entrepreneur: “I am a co-owner of an online business specializing in the creation of chat bots. IT-market showed the greatest adaptability to crisis conditions, so for my business self-isolation does not mean the cessation of work. All my employees work well from home. We don’t get fired, continue working in the same mode, and moreover, actively employed employees.

But do not forget that in Russia IT-the giants are largely tied to the classical orders. And it is not easy to adjust to a new track as us. Given the fact that a large number of public tenders will be delayed for at least a couple of months, it would completely change the design plans of many companies, leading to reduced budgets.

as for support measures, for our industry, most of them remained only on paper and in General terms. We looked at the experience of colleagues and came to the conclusion that won’t have anyone to turn to for help. The real measure for us and for members of any small and medium business, would be a Declaration of emergency. Now save, to put it mildly, selective and wrong.

So most of my colleagues will face a long-term perspective of pulling yourself out of debt. Moreover, by itself, our market is interconnected with other industries and IT often performs a contributory role in the functioning of the basic sectors of the economy. A consumption boom in the country for obvious reasons, in the near future is expected”.

Artem Tabunan, service Director of accounting and payment in schools and kindergartens: “Together with the whole sector of education, we have been deprived of revenues another month and a half ago. But, since we are IT company, we are not considered victims. This is a paradox.

Staff, of course, lost income. Some retired, but the core of the team remained. Everyone understands that if in September the school will earn, then the income will return. And if you do not earn, then the situation in the country is such that the work is nowhere at all.

Now we are trying to start related projects. First, we organized for our clients that combines school meals service and delivery of food and products. They have traditionally low prices for finished products, and it is in the current environment a large competitive advantage.

second, we have launched a platform for the online marathon and I’ve been for children. The first marathon was attended by about 200 children that inspires us to continue the movement.

it is Clear that new projects are not yet comparable revenue to what we did before, but they are partially grown for us the situation when all the restrictions will last more than one month n��deyus, and six months or a year.”

“Online for beginners dangerous”

What is common in all these stories? Despite all the difficulties, the entrepreneurs do not give up, and actively looking for every loophole to somehow align their financial situation. So, gyms provide equipment rental, private schools will organize lessons in the Zoom, the organizers of the event moved into live social networking, and some Russian funeral even conduct the funeral online.

At the same time, according to the founder of the consulting Agency Catherine Dvornikova, entrepreneurs should not EN masse go online. “The network has its regulars, who are familiar with the peculiarities of such work. But now the Internet is overloaded. A new player there just do not hear potential customers. Be crushed by the mastodons who initially know all the algorithms, technologies, methods.

Also, do not go to delivery. You will need to do the platform, the aggregator, to invite runners to find partners — it all takes more than one month, not two or three,” — said the expert.

Businesses that have lost the ability to generate revenue, of course, lacks any support measures, including credit holidays, grace periods and concessional lending, sums up the chief of Department of experts on the stock market “BCS” Vasiliy Karpunin. “representatives of the hotel industry, tourism, cafes and restaurants have to preserve the business and to survive in the hope of a speedy recovery in demand.

Many in such circumstances do not take uncertainty about the timing of the removal of restrictions and leave the market, — the expert emphasizes. — If to speak about the industries that are able to somehow maintain cash flow to compensate for the fixed costs, it is proposed by the government can allow some time to endure the shock from falling demand.”

According to Karpunina, it is now important at the regional level to provide that support, which need concrete enterprises, in one form or another, to subsidize demand.

in the meantime, entrepreneurs hope the authorities recognise the coronavirus force majeure. After all, a regime officially declared the state involves a complete removal of current debt, tax, rental obligations. It was then that those areas that suffered the most, will have a chance to survive.