minority-owned small businesses in Sacramento, CA devastated by the C0VID-19 pandemic

Weeja Payenda, owner of Sophie’s Boutique. Stockton Blvd., South Sacramento.

Our busiest time of the year was usually prom season, which is about January to May. Also June, July, and August which is wedding season. We took a huge hit with the schools being closed and actually shutting down party life. I'm kind of speechless as to how I can describe the situation and how to move forward. I've been charging rent on my credit cards, dipping into savings accounts, borrowing money from my sister, mother, and brother. It's bad, but we got to pick up and get going, what can I do? I look at what I have. In hindsight, at least we have one another. There are people out there that don't even have that and it made you be so thankful for what you have versus what you don't have.

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Copyright: Andri Tambunan
Image Size: 7306x5480 / 26.7MB; minority-owned small business local business pandemic COVID-19 lockdown economic hardships
Contained in galleries: In the Shadows

Weeja Payenda, owner of Sophie’s Boutique. Stockton Blvd., South Sacramento.<br />
<br />
Our busiest time of the year was usually prom season, which is about January to May. Also June, July, and August which is wedding season. We took a huge hit with the schools being closed and actually shutting down party life. I'm kind of speechless as to how I can describe the situation and how to move forward. I've been charging rent on my credit cards, dipping into savings accounts, borrowing money from my sister, mother, and brother. It's bad, but we got to pick up and get going, what can I do? I look at what I have. In hindsight, at least we have one another. There are people out there that don't even have that and it made you be so thankful for what you have versus what you don't have.