Page 44 - ShowSight - June 2020

A MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER
DEAR SHOWSIGHT READERS,
We are all living through a moment of great stress and uncertainty. This isn’t life as usual!
This is a moment in time when our work is most critical. We know this because we have received thousands of emails, social media messages and phone calls thanking us for delivering our magazines to
everyone’s mailbox and email inbox during these tough times.
On March 16th, we called a company meeting to decide if we should continue publishing during the COVID-19 pan-
demic. We sensed that hard times were coming for our community–and for our nation. We understood that media channels would not be offering much in the way of positive news, and this was the number one reason we vowed to continue publish- ing every single month. It was critical for us to deliver positivity, to give everyone a sense of hope that dog shows aren’t going anywhere–we are just taking a little break.
After our staff meeting, my wife, Hanifa Arapovic, and I sat down together and made the decision to launch a Showsight Cares Program. Showsight Cares was specifically created to assist dog show people who are struggling financially. At the same time, we decided not to accept any cash donations. Instead, we let all of our advertising clients know that all expenditures with us for the April and May editions will be donated to help our community. We also personally contributed $100,000 to the cause. From April 1st through June 5th, we have provided over $200,000 in aid and published 942 pages in our Showsight Print Monthly and Showsight Express Weekly Publications.
In addition to our helping personally, we are also assisting fanciers who are business owners. We are helping them get their Payment Protection Plan (PPP) money from the Small Business Administration (SBA). If you haven’t received your PPP from SBA, please reach out to us and I will personally connect you with a bank in Omaha, Nebraska, that will get you your PPP. You will be helped, no matter if you are a Corporation, LLC or Sole Proprietor. In just the last 30 days, we have helped over 100 dog show business owners. (Even if you don’t own a dog-related business, please do reach out.)
There is no instruction manual for how to feel at a time like this, and I know this has caused stress for everyone. My list of worries right now–like yours, I’m sure–is long: I’m concerned about the welfare of my children, parents, family and friends; the safety of my dog show family; the security of my colleagues; and the health of those who have already become sick. Of course, there’s also the real harm caused by the economic fallout across our communities.
I wish that COVID-19 had never happened, but it has shown us all that even a pandemic can’t stop us. My focus is now wholly on our Return of Dog Shows, and on how Showsight can best play a role. I want you to know that Showsight will continue to do its part. We won’t stop looking for new opportunities to help those in need. Please be sure to take care of yourselves and your loved ones. I know that we’re going to get through this–together.
Showsight’s staff, my wife, Hanifa, and I are forever grateful to have you in our lives. Our love, appreciation and gratitude for you has motivated us to work harder than we ever have. Please know that we will always fight for our community and give it our very best.
Now if you don’t mind, please allow me to share a few of the many family photos taken during this pandemic of my not-so-beautiful girls and, of course, beautiful me and my perfectly groomed hair. LOL...I am kidding, or maybe I am not kidding? HA! I am sure that you will find your own words to describe us, but if we are allowed to choose those words we would pick the following: goofy, a little strange (OK fine, really strange), loving and appreciative for everything that God has given us. When Mommy and Daddy aren’t working, we are either walking our dogs, working out, home schooling or making each other laugh and smile. #blessed #grateful #dogshowfamilyforever
Always best,
AJ ARAPOVIC, OWNER & PUBLISHER
SHOWSIGHT
The Dog Show Magazine Est 1992
42 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2020