If we humans are good at anything, it’s adapting to change. You might think I’m talking about pandemics, but I’m actually talking about business in general. Running a business means continuously adapting to forces both within and outside of your control. It’s about remaining flexible while having a strategic vision of your goals and constantly adjusting and fine-tuning your actions to achieve them. 

This issue is all about adapting to changes both big and small. Literally. “Space management 101” discusses how to work successfully in small shop spaces through innovative planning, storage and workflow solutions. “Small tools and machines provide big benefits” looks at small but mighty bread-and-butter tools that offer efficiency and cost savings. “Next-gen sewers” discusses the importance of strategic onboarding and training in order to capitalize on the smaller number of available workers, something every shop is adapting to. 

Vince Innocenzi, Chicago Marine Canvas, discusses the numerous changes he had to make after moving from a 2,500-square-foot-space into one triple the size. Duane and Jennifer Smith, Canvasworks Inc., highlight their approach to making critical adjustments for successful travel covers, and Jeff Newkirk, Precision Custom Canvas Inc., explains how he created a financial strategy that smooths out the ups and downs of a seasonal workflow.

We are always making adjustments in every facet of our lives, particularly in the past few years (and now I am talking about pandemics). But the reality is, adaptation is our superpower. Consciously or not, change is the primary condition of being human. Fearing, dreading, or ignoring it is certainly one approach; but welcoming it will likely have better results. As John F. Kennedy once said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”