Stories

I own a private music school in Merrimack. While I have been able to continue teaching in some capacity, remote learning is challenging for young children or children with special needs. I have lost students due to this issue. I have also lost students due to their own financial hardships. As much as people like to argue about “trickle down economics,” that is truly how it works. Students have lost their jobs, and therefore discontinued lessons, resulting in less income for me. I can no longer spend money on other foods and services, resulting in loss of jobs and income

My son and I are both out of work because of this virus. I work at a freezer warehouse through another company and they cut back staff due to virus. Chrisitna Hileman Derry , MA

Hi, I am a single mom with 3 kids, and I have my own skin care business and salon where I rent out space, but no one is working or paying rent. I have been without work since March 16, and was forced to close on March 27. No income coming in, have not received unemployment nor any response on PPP loan, nor have received stimulus money—so as you can imagine, it is tight over here. I have faith God will get us through, but we will need to re-open soon so that I don’t lose my business. I have

In North country, we are suffering financially, mentally, emotionally, and health-wise. I am a business owner/sole proprietor who cleans major resorts and private residences, and although housekeeping/janitorial services may come under this “essential business” umbrella, that’s rather useless when the places you clean are no longer operating. I own a home, vehicles, have bills as most out there do, I have a family to support and feed plus a few pets that are a huge part of this family that also need to be supported. We have very, VERY small numbers way up here and few deaths, if any …

My fiance, who will “likely” be my wife within a couple of weeks lost her job last week. I say “likely” because every last thing is up in the air, so we “may” only be able to go to the Town Hall and make it official there. We aren’t even sure if that is possible at this time, so that is TWO major ways we are affected. The company she has worked for now for 2 years is about to go out of business because of this shutdown. Her income brought into this home was about $70,000 and the gov’t

My hours were reduced (but at least I am partially employed!). According to NH Employment Security (NHES) I qualify for unemployment. After submitting my claim each week and not receiving money I called NHES. Even though I qualify, because I’m working others need it more than I. Except that I now make about what McDonald’s workers get paid. John Murphy Manchester, NH

I own and operate a 7 room bed & breakfast. I was closed down on March 16 when I was told I was non-essential. As a sole proprietor (no employees), I was—am—not eligible for the PPP, any SBA assistance, and unemployment has been a joke. The state closed me down and expects me to survive. Everyone rallied around the restaurants—we need to save them!—but promptly forgot the small lodging properties. I am NOT AirBnB. I am a legitimate business—I pay taxes, permit fees, licenses. And after they declare this madness over, I will still not do well because of the

My family has been seriously disrupted! Spouse savings have been lost for retirement because of market losses due to shutdowns. One daughter cannot have the wedding and reception she planned for over the past year. Other daughter’s senior year of high school was disrupted, and she can’t work to save for college (where she has been accepted). Trebor Dnarb Hampton, NH

I live in Hudson, NH, and I own The Bar. We have been shut down since March 13th per order of the Govenor. Last year, I was awarded small business of the year, but this year, I’ll most likely lose my business. I have 13 employees, 2 of whom gave up on unemployment. I have not received unemployment, nor am I eligible for the loans. I am a bar, not a restaurant—my customers prefer to come in and have a drink and dine in. It was not feasible for me to stay open. I have more stories… way to long

My husband and I opened an RV business in June 2007. It is a very established business with many happy return customers. We have raised a family of three outstanding humans who are all assets to their individual communities. We weather the New England winters knowing that our prime time for business is April-July, and we always anticipate for the slow times knowing that once Spring comes we can accumulate enough income to hold us over. We love what we do, we love our lives, and we love our state (both born and raised in NH) …And then a virus