Covid 19 scuppers my plans

Covid 19 scuppers my plans

Covid’s arrival brought chaos to the UK. What bad timing. Just as I was about to place my order for this year’s Hydrus II, the UK was placed in lockdown.

I was worried we might all be kept inside throughout the summer. It affected how many boats I ordered, so rather than being stuck with a bunch of boats and a huge business loan to pay off, I limited my order to just 10 boats.

On the plus side, it meant I didn’t need a big bank loan, and luckily, the factory allowed me to drop my order from 30 to 10, so I made the call.

There was no way back now. I had to make a decision and see if covid 19 scuppers my plans.
Within two weeks of me confirming my order, out came the sun, and Boris decides to ease the lockdown. Typical.

It was too late to change my order again. I only had ten boats coming over, and all ten boats were pre-sold within weeks.

Thanks, COVID and Boris; your timing sucks.

The Unexpected Surge in Demand.

So with ten boats sold, I was left for the rest of the summer with no more Hydrus to sell.

Sales of Takacats and engines were still coming in, but my pride and joy,

The Hydrus, had all sold out. Undeterred, I decided to keep the Hydrus ad that I had placed on Facebook Marketplace running to gauge the interest the boat could still generate throughout the summer.

Little did I know that inflatable boats were definitely selling well in general.
The response was overwhelming. I was inundated with messages daily, the phone rang pretty much every other day, and I was receiving countless emails, all inquiring if the Hydrus was still available.

Despite being gutted that I had no more to sell, this unprecedented demand gave me immense confidence in ordering more as soon as possible.

Covid 19 scuppers my plans continued.

Preparing for the Next Wave.

It takes 40 days in production and 30 days on the water to get more Hydrus to the UK, so I decided to count my losses and concentrate on getting more over for 2021.

The unexpected surge in demand had caught me off guard, but it also presented an opportunity to capitalize on the growing popularity of the Hydrus.

As I reflected on the events of the past summer, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief that the situation could have been much worse.

While the timing of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown had initially thrown a wrench into my plans, the overwhelming response from customers had reignited my determination to make the Hydrus a resounding success.

A Renewed Sense of Purpose.

With a renewed sense of purpose, I began to meticulously plan for the next wave of Hydrus orders. I pored over market trends, analyzed customer feedback, and fine-tuned my strategy to ensure that I could meet the anticipated demand.

Every decision was made with the utmost care and consideration, as I was determined to not let this opportunity slip through my fingers.

The challenges of the past year had taught me valuable lessons in resilience, adaptability, and the importance of staying attuned to the ever-changing market dynamics. I was no longer just a business owner; I was a seasoned navigator, charting a course through uncharted waters, ready to weather any storm that came my way.

As the days ticked by, my excitement grew, fueled by the prospect of introducing a new generation of water enthusiasts to the unparalleled experience of the Hydrus. I knew that with the right preparation and unwavering determination, I could turn the adversity of the past into a resounding triumph, solidifying the Hydrus as a true icon in the world of inflatable boats. Lets see if Covid 19 scuppers my plans?