After my mother passed, a childhood friend called and left a message on my phone. He told me how important my family – and especially my parents, Virginia and Carlo LaManna – had been to him as a child because his own family was not loving and inclusive. For him, a family like ours was a net positive in the world. It made the world a better place and contributed to him “turning out all right.”

The way our family operated, with my mom always looking out for us kids and our friends, was very similar to how our family business operated. Our goal was that the sum of the parts would be greater than the whole. By being in business together, even my brothers and sisters who weren’t as involved, would have a say and a role. As a member of the Board of Directors of Vomela Specialty Company and a strong believer in people being the centerpoint of the business culture, my mother made sure that together we were stronger and better than we were apart.

Whether your business is made up of people who are related to each other – or whether it is a collection of people who rely on and trust each other – you are a family.

In reflecting on my mother’s role in the family business, I am reminded always that people come first. As you make your plans to push through this unprecedented coronavirus environment, I urge you to keep your employees and family members in mind. I know that owners tend to look at self, then their personal wealth, their family, and back to self. It is normal to do so, but it takes action and discipline to focus on priorities.

Always circle back to what’s really important.

Many of you reading this, for many reasons, will have the need to sell or exit the business in the next year. Perhaps you will simply close your doors. History will look back on this period as being most unkind to manufacturing businesses that employ people who must work side by side in the workplace.

However, if you do want your business to continue, don’t delay. You need a master plan and a timeline. You need access to cash and credit, as well as the professional help to achieve your optimal legacies and action plans. You need the ears and voice of someone who has been through the ups and downs of business over many decades. You need to work with someone who is well-connected in all the areas where you will need a trustworthy network. You will need creativity, energy and perseverance.

There are ways to get through. It will not necessarily be the conventional way. Disruptive times call for disruptive measures.

Looking at the horizon and how businesses can contribute to the greater good, continue to think about how your legacy will be remembered.

My wish for you is that someday someone will leave a message and say that your business or your family made a difference. This is what life is all about. Wishing you the best in times of change and challenge.

About the author: Rock LaManna is president and CEO of LaManna Consulting Group, and has gone through the process with clients and with his own family business. To learn more, visit RockLaManna.com.