By Megan Sayles

AFRO Staff Writer

msayles@afro.com

It’s been five years since the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to temporarily and, in some cases, permanently close their doors. With lockdowns and social distancing protocols sweeping across the nation the week of March 11, 2020, entrepreneurs had to adapt or risk losing their livelihoods.

In some cases, the push to pivot enabled business owners to expand their operations. In others, sales took a hit. As a professional in cleaning services, Antanius Fields said he was alert to the pandemic early on. The virus first began to spread overseas in late 2019, but began to ravage the American population–and economy– in March 2020.

“I was very familiar with the coronavirus, but I knew my clients were not,” said Fields. “I was very concerned that they would take the approach of cutting back on services instead of attacking the issue by continuing services that would ensure their environment was safe and healthy.”

Fields’ Jacksonville, Fla.-based business, Next Level Cleaning, was created in 2009. The enterprise serves both residential and commercial clients, ensuring their spaces stay clean and well-maintained.

When shutdowns started, he had a mix of emotions.

“I was nervous initially for some of my smaller clients because I knew their foot traffic would be down considerably, which, in turn, would shrink budgets. Traditionally, the first areas to be cut are the cleaning staff,” said Fields. “With larger clients being more involved in the overall landscape of their environment, it made it a little easier to continue service with the added level of urgency to keep those who had to work outside of their homes healthy in the workplace.”