To Our Neon Community
Our mission at The Neon Exchange is to establish a local community seeking to enrich the mind, body, and soul all in one platform.
We accomplish this by leveraging our gifts and talents with one another with four guiding principles in mind: to educate, enlighten, encourage and empathize.
To that end, we only began to dive deeply into administering events and programming in the four short months we were open. We worked brightly to create a welcoming, inspiring environment for you to work in and will continue to do so when we re-open.
I will admit, the first week of our shelter-in-place order, I felt lost and helpless. The Neon wasn’t an essential business so in good faith, with the overall well-being of the community in mind, we closed. In one fell swoop, I lost my daily connection to you, the one thing that kept me going on a daily basis to grow and nurture this small business start-up. But wise words once said, when you don’t know what to do next for yourself, look around you and focus on being of service to others. Selfless acts fill the void inside with goodness so that time passes, strength builds and confidence follows once again.
Here we are in week two and I have found the way forward again thanks to being of service to my loved ones and my community last week. While I wait to re-open, we are taking this opportunity to streamline our business and educate ourselves as much as possible.
I have reduced overhead costs by removing Cable TV in the Executive Conference Room and Kitchen. The TVs are smart TVs and we have fiber optic throughout so we will continue to have access to YouTube, Apple TV, Netflix, and other streaming programs. I have also removed two of the four hard phone lines formerly connected to the copy room fax machine and Executive Conference Room. The only two hard lines in the building are connected to the front desk (mainline) and the elevator per State guidelines. I will continue to look for other ways to reduce overhead during closure in an effort to minimize costs and survive during this difficult time.
In addition to enlisting in on-line arts, culture & wellness classes, I’ve also been keeping abreast of the Congressional stimulus package to make sure I have the information I need to help my family and business stay afloat.
STIMULUS PACKAGE ➥ Here
Latest summary article regarding the stimulus package to begin to understand what is available to you.
SMALL BUSINESS DISASTER LOAN ➥Here
Here is a link to both educate yourself and apply for a small business disaster loan, if you need to.
FILING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT ➥Here
Here is a link to both educate yourself and file for unemployment (please read stimulus package as you may now qualify as it has expanded to part-time, self-employed and/or part of the “gig” economy).
In the weeks to come, I hope to focus on keeping my family safe and releasing stress by way of construction on the 2nd floor (yes, construction for me is a creative outlet). I will keep you posted on all things Neon that transpire. Feel free to reach out for any reason personally or professionally…being here for YOU helps ME figure things out when I am stuck.
If you are looking for ways to be of service to others in your community, please consider taking advantage of all the local art & fitness classes our local business owners are offering free of charge.
Nacho Moya (Moya Arts) and Tami Brown (Paint’n With Friends) are offering free paint nights which are awesome family events (you can buy supplies on-line at Michaels or Amazon and have them delivered to your home).
Dalila Alegria, Mind, Body & Soul is offering free zoom-based fitness classes. Pre-register now at Zoom.com for classes at 6:30 pm and Sat 9:00 am
Emily McEwan-Upright (Gallery 1202) has a virtual art show posted where you can shop from the comfort of your own home. ➥ Here
Many of our local eateries are offering drive-thru and carryout options.
Direct Delivery
Milia’s 408-337-5100
Carnitas Michoacan 408-847-8812
Café 152 408-767-2868
Old City Hall 408-842-3454
Jersey Mikes 408-216-7853
Straw Hat Pizza 408-842-2745
Barbecue 152 408-842-4499
Ten Japan 408-847-4030
Doordash Delivery
Pineapple Village
Dany’s
GrubHub Delivery
Ginger Cafe
Lastly, for non-essential businesses like The Neon Exchange, please drop us a recommendation or review on-line using Yelp, Google, Facebook or other platforms because your words are valuable and will matter when all of this is over and it is business as usual.
With Gratitude & Respect,
Toni
CEO/Founder, The Neon Exchange