Beijing Bunker: "Cooperation is Stronger Than Competition"

At the best of times, running a business is an uphill battle, an endless struggle to innovate ideas that put you ahead of the competition and continually turn a profit. In a post-COVID-19 world, however, those challenges have not only grown in scale, but morphed into something entirely unrecognizable. In this series, our sister site beijingkids talks to entrepreneurs and find out what they’re doing to remain successful in business, and happy at home.

It is not an easy thing for an entrepreneur to decide to fold their business, but that was the decision with which Eva Molina Biorck, founder of Mosto Group Beijing, was faced with at the height of the crisis. With stringent measures imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the capital, it was eateries and restaurants just like Biorck’s that were first to shut their doors.

So how do you remain optimistic despite dire predictions about the economy generally and F&B scene specifically? Biorck says that she draws her positivity from Beijing's community, and she has a right to given the excitement surrounding the reopening of a revamped Mosto last week and the crowds that it has already served.

Below we speak more to Biorck about what challenges she, her husband and business partner, as well as her three children have had to overcome over the last four months.

How long has the business been in operation?
We founded our first restaurant, Mosto, in 2008.

How long have you and your family been in China and what made you decide to move this far east?
I moved to China in 1996. I moved here originally after studying East Asian studies at University back in Sweden. I was drawn to the culture, history, and the element of the unknown. After University I got a job with Scandinavian Airlines and moved to Beijing.

What were you and your family’s initial reactions when COVID-19 first hit the news?
For us, it was a very uncertain time. I was worried about my children and how they would be affected. And of course, since my husband and I are entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry, we were concerned about our business’s future.

What were your expectations as far as the virus and its effect on daily life and business in Beijing?
I think everyone, not just for those of us in Beijing and China, but across the world, will all have to make adjustments both in the way we operate as businesses and in our daily lives. I don’t think it’s clear yet what this “new normal” will look like, but I do think that this pandemic has completely changed the landscape of our future.

What has been the reality for you and your family during the peak of the virus?
All three of our kids are home from school, we are doing our best to try to help them with homework and online classes, while also spending quality time with them, and balancing that with the increased pressure we have on our business too. The reality is that it has been a very stressful time, but it’s also made us incredibly grateful for what we do have. We are happy, healthy, and safe.

How, if at all, has your business been affected by the current situation?
Our business has been hugely affected by this, and I think it will continue to be. It still feels like the situation is changing every day, so the most important thing is to be flexible and creative. Although it’s been a tough time for the industry, we have been lucky to have dedicated staff and a loyal clientele that have supported through this time.

What form of support have you received from the expat community here in Beijing for both your family’s and business’s wellbeing?
We have received amazing support from the expat community. So many customers and friends have reached out to support and offer words of encouragement. It’s meant so much to us because part of our family’s wellbeing does depend on our business.

As the city continues to return to business as normal, what are some of the plans you have set in place for your business to ensure it is not adversely affected by such an unexpected situation in the future?
I think this situation was so unprecedented it was impossible for us to have prepared for, however, going forward, we are working on streamlining operations, having clear communication channels, and crisis communication plans.

As a business owner, what has been your biggest takeaway from this period of uncertainty?
Sometimes as an entrepreneur, you can doubt yourself, but the support that we have received during the outbreak has reinforced the strength of our brand to us. Even at the height of the crisis, we were lucky enough to have customers and dedicated staff who made running our business possible. Initially, we considered closing Mosto permanently, but after the huge outpouring of support, we decided no not only to reopen but to renovate the space to create a fresh atmosphere.

As a parent and partner, what have you learned from or about your family that will help shape your family life in the future?
Our kids have surprised and impressed us during this time with how independent they are. Even with online schooling they have stayed on top of their homework and classes and demonstrated a lot of maturity.

Has the current situation deterred you from continuing to be a part of the business landscape in Beijing or are you here to stay?
Beijing has been my home for over 20 years, my children were born here and have grown up here, if it is up to me, I will do everything I can to stay and make sure that we can have a happy life here.

What advice would you give to other business owners in Beijing at this time?
We are big believers that cooperation is stronger than competition. Don’t be afraid to support each other and lend a helping hand when you can. We are definitely stronger together.

How can other expat families show their support for expat business owners in Beijing?
The best way to help is to support your favorite local businesses that you want to see on the other side of this crisis.

Any words of encouragement or hope for the international community as a whole in Beijing?
Stay strong, be positive, and support each other. It might sound cliché, but we really are all in this together.

READ: Breathing Life Back Into Beijing’s Restaurant Industry

This article originally appeared on our sister site beijingkids.

Images courtesy of Eva Molina Biorck