Roadblocks to Roadways: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities

The Obstacle
For nearly 30 years, our family had been asking for a frontage road in front of our store. It was a game-changer, something that would make it easier for customers to visit us. So, when we finally got the news that the road was coming, we celebrated… and then we panicked.

Why? Because there was talk that we might have to shut down during construction. What? For how long? No one had clear answers. While we knew this was ultimately a good thing, the uncertainty was unsettling.
A customer survey pointed to one major frustration: getting in and out of our location. Some even said that’s why they didn’t shop with us. This road was a blessing, but it also came with challenges.

Opportunity in the Making
Instead of worrying, we chose to lean in. I decided to invite the community to be part of the journey. I created a hashtag on social media and started sharing daily updates. Every day, I posted a photo or video showing what was happening right outside our doors. The response was incredible. Families stopped by just to watch the big trucks at work. They enjoyed watching the transformation happening before their eyes.

Of course, there were setbacks. Some days we had to close unexpectedly—like the time power lines were cut, and we lost electricity. But instead of letting frustration win, we found ways to laugh about it. We embraced the chaos and kept engaging with our customers through it all. Here’s the most surprising part, our sales actually went up during the project.

When the road was finally completed, we knew we had to celebrate. So, we threw a grand opening event! We invited all the local businesses affected by the project along with the community and turned it into a true celebration. There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony, giveaways, food trucks, bouncy houses...even a live band. What started as an obstacle became a reason to bring people together.

Lessons Learned
In retail, and in life, obstacles will come. The question is, how do we turn them into opportunities?

1. Identify the obstacle. Get clear on what you're up against.
2. Focus on what you can control. Worrying about the unknown won’t help, but taking action will.
3. Choose a positive mindset. What if the obstacle is an opportunity in the making?
4. Invite others into the journey. Whether it's customers, employees, or the community, people want to be part of a story.
5. Celebrate the wins. It’s easy to move on to the next thing but take a moment to acknowledge what you’ve overcome.

So, what about you? Are you facing an obstacle that might actually be an opportunity in the making?