Riding the pandemic's peaks and valleys

Like biking on a hilly road, Johnny King Jr. experienced some peaks and valleys in his Bike Plus business during the pandemic. “I questioned whether or not our business was considered essential, or if it was even viable. Panic set in as I have multiple mall branches and several employees under my care,” Johnny recalls. “SM extended a kind gesture to its tenants and gave us discounts when we started to operate again. This means so much to us and our people,” Johnny says. His worries were further relieved when bikes started becoming a popular mode of transportation because of the limited public transportation. When malls resumed operations, people flocked his store to buy bikes.

Marco Cada, a staff member at Bike Plus for 18 years now, also feels grateful that he gets to keep his job during the pandemic. “Kahit mahirap ang sitwasyon ngayon, may trabaho pa rin ako. Mapalad pa rin. Dahil sa trabaho ko sa Bike Plus, nakakatulong ako sa mga gastusin sa bahay at nakakapagpadala ako ng pera sa pamilya ko sa Iloilo,” Marco says. Recognizing that he is fortunate to experience growth amid a difficult situation, Johnny wanted to give back and help communities by donating bikes, food packs, personal protective equipment and bicycle reflectors.

“We are fortunate that our industry is considered essential during this time. But it’s not always about business and profit. We also have to help our communities during these uncertain times,” Johnny says.