Distributor DiscountMugs.com (PPAI 704861, D12) has created a small business assistance program to help businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The Medley, Florida-based company selected six diverse businesses in South Florida and awarded a combined $12,000 in customized promotional items from DiscountMugs.com. These items vary from face masks, contactless thermometers, hand sanitizer, shirts, coffee mugs, backpacks and tote bags with their logos.
“Small businesses have been severely impacted in these unprecedented times,” says DiscountMugs.com CEO Sai Koppaka. “We wanted to help business owners in different communities by giving them tools to promote their businesses.”
The six program participants that were each awarded $2,000 in merchandise include:
90 Miles Tattoo Studio in Edgewater – “The shop has been open for two years, and we recently moved to a new location in Edgewater last December, when the whole pandemic hit Miami,” says Alejandro Gonzalez, owner of 90 Miles Tattoo Studio. “We had only been at the new location for two months and we had to close for three months. We’re just getting back on our feet, so this program is very helpful.”
Latin House Grill in Kendall – “We lost 90 percent of our business overnight,” says Michelle and Bella Sanchez, owners of Latin House Grill. “For a period of three months, we have brought it up 25 percent. Since it’s a family business, it’s been hard to keep the older family members at home and provide some sort of income for them. We started with outside seating, but the rainy weather did not help. We started going strong on deliveries to sustain the business. We have now incorporated our Fit Meal weekly meal service to supplement business. Our goal is to be back on track, hopefully, by the end of the year.”
Mimi’s Touch Salon in Coral Gables – “We’ve been at our current location for nine years,” says Mimi Aguiar, owner of Mimi’s Touch Salon. “The pandemic truly affected our business and took us by surprise. We spent two months in complete uncertainty. But we are staying positive and making sure to provide all the possible safety measures for clients. This donation will help us by providing promotional items to give to our clients, plus face masks to provide to our staff and clients.”
Mojo Donuts in Westchester, Coral Gables and Pembroke Pines – Owned by Jimmy Piedrahita, Willie Munoz and Shawn Neifeld, its founder, Mojo Donuts prides itself on having the best gourmet donuts in town. They are the first and only donut shop to be featured on the Food Network’s show Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. “During these times of uncertainty, receiving donations like these means hope to all our staff and their loved ones,” says Piedrahita.
Topp Cuttaz in Miami Gardens & Miami Lakes – “Topp Cuttaz is one of South Florida’s premier barber, salon and spas,” says Michael Stephens, owner and operator of Topp Cuttaz. “The idea of the business is to bring the feel of South Beach to the hood. It’s perfect for the entire family. We are very grateful for the donation of promotional products. They will help us to regain recognition and boost business in these trying times.”
Robert Is Here Fruit Stand & Farm in Homestead – Robert Is Here Fruit Stand & Farm is a family-owned and operated fruit stand and the first Florida-based entry into the National Culinary Heritage Register. They specialize in rare and exotic tropical fruits and vegetables, mostly grown in their farms. “Robert Is Here closed for six weeks due to the pandemic and reopened with drive-thru-only services,” says Heather Moehling, director of marketing. “We are at roughly 60 percent of where we were last year due to the pandemic and the continued impact on our ability to do business as usual. We are now relying on local support since we have lost all international-related business. The donation from DiscountMugs.com will help us to obtain needed wellness items, such as masks, bags and other items that will help us promote our business.”
