BBB Connecticut Business Spotlight
At your BBB Connecticut, we want to put a spotlight on the businesses that are still hard at work during this trying time. Below you will find a list of those businesses that are not only open during this time, but are finding innovative ways of serving their customers' needs safely and effectively.
“We understand that the COVID 19 (coronavirus) pandemic is a situation that has impacted the world. We are committed to help keep our moving clients safe. Our team will take the proper precautions to have face masks and sanitizer during your relocation.” – Kecia L. Alexander
“We now offer curbside pickup and local delivery. We will be launching an app for both Android and Iphone that will allow customers to view our inventory and place orders.”
Expanded Hours: Open Mon. - Sat. 6am to 8pm - Sunday 7am to 7pm. - Scott Hunter
Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates, PC
“Although we are a law firm and considered an essential business, we have made numerous creative changes to the way we do business. We do elder law (estate planning, trusts, wills, powers of attorney, Medicaid and trust administration). As everyone knows, the documents aren’t valid unless they are signed. We developed seven different ways of getting the documents signed by our clients to make sure they and their assets are protected, especially during this time of crisis. For those clients who want to come to our office, we have them go into a disinfected conference room with a laptop and the paralegal reviews the documents with them from a different room using a Webex meeting. The clients also have the original documents in front of them and all are wearing masks. As these documents need witnesses, the witnesses stand outside the glass wall (two of our conference rooms have glass walls) and watch the clients sign the documents so they can witness their signatures. The clients are each given their own pen (with our logo, of course) to keep after the signing. It’s been working and the clients are very grateful to be able to sign their documents and be protected. After the signing, we again disinfect the conference room.” – Veronica V. Tiedt
ServiceMaster of Old Saybrook, Middletown, and Guilford
Office hours 9:00-4:00 M-F with 24/7/365 answering service on off hours.
“We are presently offering all of our regular services along with precautionary and post-COVID19 cleaning and sanitizing in homes, businesses, and municipalities. We have ongoing accounts with Fire Stations, Police Stations, and 911 Dispatch centers to keep our Heroes safe and minimize the risk of infection. We are available and equipped for cleaning and sanitizing and continue to be updated by the CDC, EPA, FDA and OSHA for proper protocol and procedures.
“Some of the many services we offer in addition to COVID related cleaning:
- Carpet and upholstery cleaning - 10% discount offered thru June 2020.
- Disaster Restoration/water damage/fire/soot/COVID19.
- One-time project cleaning.
- High contact surface sanitizing- residential and commercial.
We are happy to be a resource of information for anyone that would like to call with questions as businesses begin to plan on reopening in the future.” – Judy Morrow
“We have taken extra precautions to ensure that everyone has a safe visit.” – Nyree Pieck
MediaCrossing launched a website that offers Covid-19 related resources and advice to small and midsize companies, with his strategists writing the articles--a way that allows his company to help current and prospective clients with the problems that face them now, so they remember them fondly when it's time to spend again.
"Our customer's journey isn't ending, it's transforming." – Michael Kalman
“Weekly supplies of protective equipment are given such as, masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, hair nets and shoe cover-ups via no contact delivery for our staff. Our company is also monitoring our employees’ health along with our patients with an eye to the symptoms. Additionally, we are providing sick time, family leave, along with hazard pay.
“Finally, we are providing, per request, thermometers for all of our patients and their families to take the temperature of the caregivers upon arrival of their shift in order to ease their minds. To this date, these methods have been proving effective and we have not received any news of any of our employees or patients obtaining /developing the virus.” – Carol Baez
“ComForCare Home Care is in the unique situation of being busier than normal. We are here for our community for any short term or long-term elderly home care or childcare needs. We are in regular contact with our caregivers and clients and are providing personal protective equipment.” – Neil Anand
“We knew we wanted to do something to help support the community, but we are not equipped to make medical shields or sew face masks. We actually looked into both. But we can utilize our in-house printing capability to share ideas and engage the community in a meaningful way.” – Zachary Schwartz, President
His idea? Lawn signs. While simple, Schwartz believed it would have an incredible impact on individual communities. The results have been astounding. In just a few weeks, he has printed and distributed more than 1000 signs in 25 communities across four states.
“The goal is to spread awareness and gratitude, offline. The signs themselves are full-color, double-sided lawn signs. They are customized to specifically identify the community where they are placed. There are two versions available. One says “(Your Town) Loves Our Healthcare Heroes.” A second version says “(Your Town) Loves Our First Responders.” The back side of both signs says, “Support Your Community Heroes. Wash Hands, Social Distance, Give Blood.”
“We view these signs as a great way for the community to connect, spreading appreciation and support for those putting their lives on the line every day to battle COVID-19,”
Fusion Cross-Media donated the first 200 signs, which were placed in people’s yards free of charge. Now, people are ordering signs through the Fusion Cross-Media website, in packs of five, for $10 each. Proceeds benefit two local nonprofits – MACC Charities, based in Manchester, Connecticut, working to break cycles of poverty in the community and providing meals for people in need. -And Rachel’s Table, a Massachusetts organization feeding healthcare and first responders on the frontlines in both Hampden and Franklin Counties.
As essential personnel, they provide all staff with Personal Protection Equipment and offer free, no obligation virtual in-home assessments to ensure that all pertinent information is still being gathered for new clients while limiting exposure to staff and clients.
“South Cross Inc. continues to meet the goal of providing the supervision and necessary assistance for our seniors to remain safety independent and in the dignity of their home” - Fatima P. Baptista
“I have been running CATS Tutoring Services for a long time, and this is the first major event that I have navigated through. I have changed my business to operate completely remotely and have waived fees for tutoring. This is especially necessary now, as many schools move to online learning (Distance Learning), and I am lucky enough to have a full-time job on top of my tutoring business. Therefore, I have decided to waive tutoring fees until things get safer and more stable. “ – Dave Cassenti
“Aware Recovery Care, Connecticut’s only full spectrum in-home addiction treatment program, is increasing the availability of all virtual and in-home addiction services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This decision was made now to relieve patient loads at the region’s area hospitals and to help avoid a second crisis – an increase in deaths from overdoses. Hospitals are being overwhelmed with potential COVID-19 cases, making care for patients struggling with addiction difficult.
Anyone with an addiction to alcohol and/or drugs that needs help now can contact Aware to receive in-home withdrawal management support and other addiction services including withdrawal medications. Consults will be conducted remotely using telemedicine where possible. Aware also has staff equipped with proper protective garments and equipment as well as COVID-19 test kits should in-home visits be required.” – Peter W. Gold
“We decided to put our salon to good use and provide free laundry services to first responders. As a result, we have gotten more media attention than I could have imagined including a video interview on Kelly & Ryan.” – Jessica Sassu
“Just like every business We Care Computers has adjusted to keep its employees, clients and everyone else safe. We have switched to a remote-only work environment by having all specialists and office staff reporting to work from home. We have increased our sanitation protocols in the office whenever an employee needs to retrieve hardware.
“In addition to the changes we have made in our daily work routines, we are doing our best to help those in need in the community. We have started a program to donate used computers to students in our community that need them for ongoing schoolwork. So far, we have been able to place nearly 20 computers and are taking donations so that we can increase these numbers even further.
“Life certainly changes during hectic times and it is up to us to adjust to meet these changing needs and we will all be better off if we all care.” – Zak Coffey
Sadie’s Professional Cleaning Services LLC
“We are currently offering safe disinfection and sanitization services to Municipalities, Medical Care Facilities, Franchises, Schools, Non-Profit Organizations, Homeowners, Renters and all other agencies. We are fully licensed, certified, insured and bonded. My Neat Freaks Anti-Viral Squad is fully equipped to go to war against this menacing virus.” – Sada Marshall
“We are all working together to get through these ever-changing times during COVID-19. We are making it easier than ever to buy the rug of your dreams all in the safety and security of your protected home & family. Choose from thousands of up to date modern rugs and old-world classics, with just a click.
“We also offer 100% contactless rug cleaning & repair! With Kaoud Curbside Pickup, you simply book your services through our website and you’re done. Let's get your rugs are carpets cleaned and disinfected now.” – Fred Kaoud Jr.
“Wolf & Shore Law Group is now offering virtual consultations, mediations, and remote notarizations, including Wills and remote closings and re-finances.” – Shari-Lynn Cuomo Shore, Esq.
"As a full-service digital marketing agency, we felt a strong responsibility to help our clients communicate and engage with their customers, employees, prospects and the community at large, through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
We immediately began to rework our client strategies to be more relevant and helpful in order to secure their reputations, keep their brands visible, and work toward securing their business success through this period of difficulty. We worked with each client individually to tailor a new digital communication strategy to best support their needs.
- Adjusting Client Strategies: Some service offerings may make more sense to market than others right now. We adjusted our client’s marketing strategies so they highlight in-demand products/services and cut out any campaigns that sounded tone-deaf. This means evaluating planned marketing campaigns and quickly adjusting them to feature information that is more relevant for today.
- Increasing Email Communication: To keep communication lines open, we are frequently connecting with our clients and sharing pertinent marketing and business information that is related to COVID-19. Regularly checking in allows us to make any necessary changes to our client’s marketing efforts, as well as show them that we are always there for them. We are also using this tactic to help THEM communicate with their customers and prospects. Emails include new protocols, plans for re-opening, health and safety changes and business advice as it relates to their specialty.
- Publishing Helpful Content: We quickly strategized and pivoted our client’s marketing campaigns so they align with the current concerns and needs of their audience. To accomplish this, we are publishing content that is relevant to the crisis as it relates to each business through blogging and website updates. Most clients have integrated a banner on their site to draw attention to changing business information based on the Coronavirus restrictions.
- Leading with Compassion: For non-essential businesses that are forced to close during COVID-19, we are happy to still be there for them in whatever way we can. Remaining flexible with our client needs (even if it means temporarily changing their service agreements or doing free work to help) is important to ensure a long-term partnership. People remember how you treat them during tough times, and we hope to be repaid with their loyalty.
In addition, to help support other businesses navigate their marketing and communication efforts during COVID-19, we created a Resources page that is regularly updated on our website. We are all in this together and are happy to be a helpful resource for other businesses." – Randi Brawley