Ingenuity and grit best describe the spirit of small business owner Tracie Amaral of Fab-You-Us. Entering her third year of business, the pandemic presented a serious threat to the family fun center. Working with the support of RISBDC Small Business Consultant Dennis McCarthy, she accessed critical funding, made important required changes, and is poised to bounce back.

Amaral survived by looking at every aspect of her business—including renegotiating her monthly rent, lowering her insurance premium, developing video-based activities for her customers, and complying with all Rhode Island reopening mandates. Her reopening plan was approved by the RI Department of Health in July, and since then she has been successfully—and safely—operating in new ways.

In addition to a virtual learning pod for school-aged students and streaming bedtime stories via Facebook Live, in mid-October Amaral is adding a six-week Saturday program that will allow parents to drop off kids from 9:00–11:30 a.m. “We will provide arts and crafts, music and movement, and free play to participants,” she reported. “We are also offering a free mask, tee shirt, and water bottle to all participants, which will promote the business, too.”  

Amaral positioned her business for reopening by networking with the Mayor’s office and cross marketing services with other businesses. The North Providence Town Council bestowed a Resolution of Admiration to her for serving as a model resident and business owner during the pandemic.

Fab-You-Us received funding from the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, the Paycheck Protection Program and the CARES Act Debt Relief Program.

To learn more about Fab-You-Us family fun center, visit their website at Fab-You-Us.com.