The Power of a Trusted Service Partner Network (August Newsletter)

Covid 19 has made it apparent how very important it is to have established and trusted service partners so when $#!@ hits the fan, you have experts to lean on. Service Partners make up 30% of our membership and we have always been super proud of their dedication to our community, but never more than these last several months as they stepped up to help SDSI members navigate the Covid challenges.

It’s been said that “if you don’t know the name of your banker, and he or she does not know yours, you actually don’t have a banker!” Think about that for a minute. Not only did our bankers step up; legal, HR, commercial Real Estate, and many others, stepped up and got actively involved to help.

Our business tool box has consequently been expanded, and in many cases has made the ultimate difference, as we accessed CARES and PPP funding, qualified for an EIDL loan, understood how to re-negotiate lease extensions or manage expectations regarding our AP, or the nuances of furloughing a valued employee. These are our post Covid skills, and most of us got them from these very same people.

So now, unexpectedly, most Sport and Active Lifestyle sectors have rebounded. Our Pro sport teams, youth leagues and event companies have not been so fortunate. But we have survived at the baseline and even increased business at other levels. Demand in most sectors far exceeds supply.

Before we “move on” to the next thing, or revert to our “old” resources, let's stop and think. The SDSI service providers comprise a vital part of our community. Let’s focus our resources on the people and companies that helped us survive and then succeed.

So if you need a resource, start with SDSI: we got you covered from creative agencies, digital agencies, bookkeeping, investment banks, commercial banking, legal, accounting, freight, executive search, specialty financing and everything in between. You can see them all here, shoot Renne or me an email. We would love to get you connected.

Trust is more than a word; performance beats a promise. Big thank you to the SDSI service provider network.

-Renne and Bob