Justa Kendall is the co-owner of Urbana Kitchens, providing discerning Island homeowners with leading design concept and delivery for kitchen, bathroom, walk-in closets and laundry room and more — with custom cabinetry constructed by some of the most respected craftspeople in Canada.
How is Urbana Kitchens coping right now?
Urbana is so grateful to have had a core team that has been together for many years. Some of our team members have experienced many recessions and challenges, but nothing like what we are going through today.
In this time of so much bad news we feel it is important that all of us at Urbana heed all the warnings and yet stay focused on getting through this.
Currently Urbana is open to visitors by appointment only. Our team seems fully aware that without these measures the impact could have been far worse than what we have experienced thus far. We are certain we made the right decisions. Time will tell when it will be safe to open our doors again to small groups and limited numbers of visitors to resume dialogs about renovations.
How has the crisis affected your business, and how do you anticipate it will continue to affect it?
Our business has come to a virtual standstill, and it is realistic to anticipate Urbana will need at least a year to recover.
What advice are you giving yourself and your team for riding this out?
We are trying to stay positive in that there is a lot to be learned from this situation. People are suffering all over the world. We all must learn what we can do to avoid these circumstances to re-occur by being proactive, not reactive.
At Urbana we try to always prepare ourselves as much as possible for every scenario. It seems like a negative outlook, but it allows one the opportunity to avoid bigger problems down the road. I believe if anyone had been fully aware as to what the demands would be on the medical system for this pandemic, we could have avoided so many tragedies. Being proactive takes energy that is well spent.
What is the opportunity in the challenge for you and your business?
After these weeks or maybe even months of planning, preparing, cooking and eating every meal in our kitchens, many of us are going to dream of improvements to their homes. Challenges that have become obvious such as perhaps better organized layouts, more efficient appliances and new cabinetry that fulfill the individual needs of each home. We are looking forward to getting creative with those who wish to enjoy their home more and are willing to embark on the journey of kitchen renovations and other space planning.
“I have always trusted that something good comes out of every crisis. I truly believe that most often we don’t understand why we must live through a crisis of a certain kind, yet years later we have a moment where we realize that something good came out of it.”
What advice have you applied or are you applying from previous experiences coping through crises?
Personally, I have always trusted that something good comes out of every crisis. I truly believe that most often we don’t understand why we must live through a crisis of a certain kind, yet years later we have a moment where we realize that something good came out of it. I believe that the good is already somewhat present in that people are taking more time to go for walks, prepare meals together, eat together and share their fears and dreams more than before.
What are your resources right now? Do you have a mentor supporting you, peer group, books you read?
My resources are all in my surroundings. I am so grateful to live and work where I do. I am so moved by all the kindness we have witnessed over the last weeks. I am so surprised by the power of positivity in that it allows people to move forward. This is not forever but temporary. We will be stronger than before. Stronger in relationships and in dealing with challenges of all kinds.
What advice do you have for others experiencing this alongside you?
We are all in this together. This affects everyone, no exclusions. Everyone is subject to this invisible enemy. By conforming to the rules and by ensuring we take as many precautionary measures as possible this pandemic will get under control and allow us to become proactive as opposed to reactive.
Let us find the strength to all do our share to bring our island, province and country back to the way it was … and even better!
