Yesterday I spoke with an independent jewelry store that was targeted by cybercriminals. The criminals created a ransomware attack and held the store’s computer data hostage. The store had to scramble to find backup data and reopen. The store called the FBI and didn’t pay. The hackers then sent phishing emails to all the store’s customers—attacking the store’s customers and trying to infect them.
Scott Galloway, a business leader and NYU professor, shares that we're now spending over 4 hours a day on our mobile phones--up from just 20 minutes in 2010. (…I wrote part of this post on my iPhone.) What does this mean? Lots of opportunities for Amazon--as well as Facebook, Instagram, and other tech titans--to sell to us. Our cell phones are, in essence, 1,000 'buy buttons' in our pockets (or on our nightstands) that encourage us to buy stuff online, any time of the day.
Wouldn't you agree that people around the world are cleaner as they undertake to get beyond the global pandemic of Corona virus. It seems that it is time to stop advising people to do what we all have memorized about washing hands, social distancing and wearing masks. “Following simple handwashing practices is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of many types of infection and illness." Dr.Michele, MD, of the FDA says. “We can’t advise this ...
Read More
Today’s Times reports on the recovery of the wedding industry—a topic dear to our hearts since Bridge has helped 50k couples with their gift registries.
This week, Amazon launched its online pharmacy targeting the 3.8 billion prescriptions filled in the U.S. each year. Shares of major pharmacy chains dropped about 10% on the news. Amazon honed this weapon in its Seattle lab and is eagerly unleashing it on retail chains and mom-and-pop pharmacies.
Something struck me while reading this news: Does Amazon remind you of Covid-19? The similarities:
Amazons kills many businesses in industries it touches. Pharmacies are now worried
Coronavirus has resulted in a national shutdown, with many companies shifting to having at least some employees permanently working from home. People ended up spending most of their days at home during the week and, having nowhere to go due to the shutdown, on the weekends. Having a more intimate relationship with their domiciles, appears to have encouraged people to have an increased interest in decorating the place where they're now spending most of their time.
There is a general feeling among the public that Amazon is a ruthless behemoth. A survey conducted by CNBC|SurveyMonkey Small Business Survey showed that 59% of the public think Amazon is bad for business. "This represents a significant shift from just two years ago, when opinion was nearly split between those saying Amazon is bad for small businesses (37%) and those saying it’s good (33%)."
One of the many reasons Amazon is viewed this way is because of ...
Read More
Today's NY Times shares that many businesses are decreasing their office space footprint as they let employees work from home.
We are entering a new and unusual time post-COVID. More and more people will be working from home, further encouraging companies to decrease their amount of office space. I think this is a good thing for the most part, as it will open up jobs for people who don't necessarily live near a company's office. It also allows people to work from the comfort of their own home...
Read More
Material Possessions, a gift shop in Illinois, needed a quick solution to boost its online presence. With Amazon and Covid-19 nipping at indie stores' heels, stores need to quickly boost their online offering.
In just 24 hours, Material Possessions opened a Bridge account and is currently offering 15,000+ products for sale. The retailer can sell these products directly from its Bridge Store--or it can export the products and import them into its parent website (https://...
Read More
As you know, New Orleans has been one of the cities most severely impacted by Coronavirus. In following all CDC guidelines, and for the safety of our staff, our office in New Orleans will temporarily be closed, however we are all working remotely, so all your orders will be processed with the same speed and professionality as before and there will be no interruption in all the services we provide. β
•
We love the city of New Orleans, and we believe without a shadow of a doubt that our ...
Read More
A store owner named Alice from South Carolina called me this AM:
She owns a jewelry store started more than 50 years ago.
Like most retailers, she has an older website with little product on it and no online registry.
While the economy was good, Alice kept putting off investing in a new website.
When the Coronavirus outbreak happened last week, she faced the reality of having to spend $5k on a new website that would take two months to setup. Alice feels that is too much
As you know, the health and safety of our employees at Annieglass is one of our core fundamentals. As the impact and seriousness of COVID-19 evolves, and to help contain the spread of the virus, Santa Cruz County has determined that we need to shelter in place.
As of Tuesday, March 17 we have closed our California studio and offices until April 7, 2020. The health and safety of our employees and their families is very important to us. Please understand that this means that any orders in ...
Read More
As a small business, we look forward to serving you. We are grateful for your patronage.
Due to the current health crisis and out of an abundance of caution, Stafford Jewelers will be closed to foot traffic. We will continue to serve you by filling telephone and online orders weekdays from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. We will bring a beautifully wrapped gift to you at curbside.
We will work with brides to create online registries via telephone or email.
Call us at 864-585-0235, email us at ...
Read More
News outlets like the Wall St. Journal have shared that Amazon is full of fake products, counterfeits, and listings with exaggerated prices. In today’s WSJ, Amazon shares it removed 1 million fake health products related to the Coronavirus. Amazon’s action supports the accusations that Amazon often fails when it comes to policing its marketplace. It’s rare ‘action’ is actually a sign of larger ‘inaction.’ While these Coronavirus products may have ...
Read More
March 13, 2018
March 13, 2018
Instagram has a virus: fake users. Like Twitter and Facebook, the service partially thrives on bogus users and fake content.
View Post
February 9, 2018
February 9, 2018
I don't just sell BIOLYTE, I drink it for my own personal reasons: energy boost daily at work, stops leg cramps at night, instant relief after too much food or drink, hydration on the beach, lifesaver when I had the flu and stomach virus, welcome reward after running my third 5K (ok, so that's stretching the truth ), and my favorite way to drink it is over crushed ice. At $2.99 a bottle, that's a lot of bang for your buck! Stop by and grab a bottle or two.
View Post
November 21, 2017
November 21, 2017
1 An email went out from [email protected] this morning that contained a virus.
It was in an email that read:
...............
Morning,
Please see attached and confirm. Let me know if you have any questions.
David Duffy
*****************
....................
2. If you opened this, you likely have a virus that sent the virus to all the people in your contact list. And then it will spread further.
3. Please let us know if this occurred to you. Or ask your IT person for help.
Your newest arrival doesnβt have to have royal blood to enjoy these perfect presents! These adorable gifts are perfect for your little bundle a joy, and are all princess approved!
1. Georgia Brush and Comb Set: This gift is perfect for brushing those luscious royal locks! This brush and comb set is as precious as the hairs on your little ones head. Customize it for your favorite little princess by getting it engraved with her initial! This is sure to be a keepsake sheβll pass down for ...
Read More