Alexis Dent is a freelance writer based in upstate New York whose company, XO Juliet, offers custom wedding vow writing services.By mid-March, her business all but dried up as spring and summer weddings began getting canceled because of the pandemic.Dent recognized there was a new need for eulogies to meet the rising number of funerals for people who passed away from COVID-19. "When I get a new order, I take a moment of silence," says Dent. "Every order for the past month has been a notification that someone is gone too soon."Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.One afternoon in February, I was staring out the window, experiencing writer's block after getting off the phone with a client who'd ordered wedding vows. It had been a long afternoon of writing, and I needed a change

The Elzarka family has owned Beninni, a men's formal wear store in Hayward, California, for 30 years. The shop was forced to shut down in the coronavirus lockdown, and has tried and failed to get government assistance loans through the coronavirus relief package.Shady Elzarka, whose dad founded the store, struggled to access either the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance (EIDL) and relief from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).Elzarka for weeks heard nothing from the Small Business Administration, through which he applied for an EIDL, or from Bank of America, where he applied for the PPP loan.Meanwhile much larger companies did not struggle to access government funding, some of which public pressure forced them to hand back.After Business Insider contacted Bank of America for

Christina Stembel founded her floral company, Farmgirl Flowers, in her dining room in 2010, using her personal savings and a cash-back credit card to cover business expenses.The company has since blossomed into a thriving startup that employed almost 200 staff members prior to the coronavirus.However, as the pandemic causes economic fallout worldwide, Stembel told Business Insider that the future of her company is uncertain.She said the process of applying for the first round of the Paycheck Protection Program, a government fund meant to help small businesses through the coronavirus pandemic, was frustrating and fruitless."I know that the intention of this program is to help small businesses, so let's change it to make sure this money does fall into the hands of small businesses," she said.Visit

The Federal Reserve announced Thursday it will expand its Main Street Lending Program to include mid-sized companies and those with greater leverage.The central bank expanded program eligibility to businesses with 15,000 employees or $5 billion in revenue, up from the 10,000 employee and $2.5 billion limits.The Fed didn't provide a start date for the relief program, adding that it would be announced "soon."A separate aid program for nonprofit organizations is under consideration, the Fed said in a release.Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.The Federal Reserve is widening its Main Street Lending Program to include more mid-sized businesses seeking loans amid the economic downturn.The central bank announced Thursday it will expand credit eligibility to firms with up to 15,000

Jonathan Ross is one of the 300 master sommeliers in the world: He is an educator for the Guild of Sommeliers, an examiner for the Court of Master Sommeliers, and sits on multiple wine investment advisory boards, as well as founded Micro Wines.He says that although the alcohol industry is booming for large retailers, small businesses are struggling to find ways to stay afloat.Many smaller retailers and restaurants are turning to creative ways of staying open, including virtual tastings, delivery, and designer happy hours.Support your local restaurants and wine sellers now if you want them to survive this lockdown period.Click here for more BI Prime stories.With a substantial amount of lockdown time under our belts, people around the world have found creative ways to remain social, active,

Some Georgia restaurants are pushing back against the state's loosened restrictions, saying it's still not safe to reopen.120 Atlanta-area restaurants joined forced to form the "#GAHospitalityTogether" initiative and released a statement committing to not reopening their dining rooms until it's safe to do so."We agree that it's in the best interests of our employees, our guests, our community and our industry to keep our dining rooms closed at this time," the statement reads.Still, some chain restaurants have already reopened their dining rooms this week.Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.Georgia allowed restaurants to reopen dining rooms on Monday, but some restaurants are pushing back against the idea that it's safe to do so.Over 120 Atlanta-area restaurants banded together

The Paycheck Protection Program is a key component of the federal government's response to the economic devastation caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.After the initial $350 billion allocated for the small business loans at the heart of the program was exhausted in just two weeks, Congress appropriated an additional $320 billion in funding.A recent Small Business Administration report shows where that second round of funding has gone so far.While the first round largely went to more rural states on a per-capita basis, much of the $175 billion from the second round that was dispersed as of May 1 has gone to larger, harder-hit states.Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.The novel coronavirus has ravaged the US economy, with more than 33 million Americans filing for unemployment

The Opera house has been lit up in galactic-inspired designs (pictured), surreal snakeskin and multi-coloured digital patterns, with one stage of the sequence looking as though Jackson Pollock has taken to the landmark with his famous abstract paintbrush.

Local celebrities flocked to the The Star's Sky Terrace to soak up the mesmerising Vivid Sydney installation on Tuesday evening

Australia’s biggest festival of lights, music and ideas came to an end for the year on Monday night after two and a half weeks of wowing Sydney siders and visitors alike.

Just five years ago Lauren Bath was a cook on the Gold Coast. Today, the self-taught photographer travels the world sharing her pictures on Instagram.

Grace Jones is known as an eclectic singer, who's performance is as much about the outfits as it is about her voice and the 67-year-old didn't disappoint on stage in Sydney on Sunday.

Guy Sebastian has been known to experiment with style during his years in the celebrity spotlight.

He's the 80s pop icon who is lending his industry expertise as a coach on The Voice Australia.

They were pictured enjoying a night out together in Sydney last week.

An Australian woman has been arrested in France after allegedly kidnapping her 30-years-younger lover who has not been seen in three years. 

WILL KELLEHER AT TWICKENHAM: The 30-year-old scrum-half was key to England's fast-tempo victory on his 99th cap and is now targeting records with the red rose on his chest.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I was really impressed with how England bounced back from their World Cup final disappointment because that will have been difficult.

England beat Wales to seal the Triple Crown and keep their Six Nations title hopes alive. Here, Sportsmail's Nik Simon assesses the performances of Eddie Jones' players.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I was not surprised in the slightest at Scotland turning over France because they are a good and improving side. France are still a long way from the finished article.

Scotland earned an emphatic victory over France as Les Bleus saw their chances of a first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2011 end at Murrayfield.

The Six Nations title race is set to reach a delayed climax in October after France's clash with Ireland on Saturday became the third championship match to be postponed because of the coronavirus.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: My gut instinct was to call a halt to this year's Championship but the Six Nations committee are determined to bring it to a conclusion so let's respect that.

England coach Eddie Jones has been disciplined by his bosses at the RFU following his scathing criticism of referee Ben O'Keeffe.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I've never really reflected on the 1980 Grand Slam - you move on quickly in life and sport - and it has caught me by surprise that the 40th anniversary is upon us.

EXCLUSIVE: The Six Nations television rights auction has been put on hold due to the mass postponements caused by the coronavirus outbreak this week. Broadcasters were expecting feedback.

NIK SIMON'S GAIN LINE: Sale Sharks are waiting in the wings if England star Jonny May does not sign a new contract with Leicester Tigers. The former Gloucester winger has reached a stand-off.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The decision to bring the curtain down on Premiership rugby for five weeks and postponing European competitions only delays an inevitable shutdown.

WILL KELLEHER: The RFU have prematurely ended all rugby in England at all levels - aside from the Premiership - in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The government turned down a call to give the Six Nations Group A status, with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee labelling the decision a 'missed opportunity'.

English rugby is in turmoil as players were being advised to consider strike action after Premiership clubs demanded swingeing pay cuts amid fears of impending financial disaster.

The RFU fear they will lose up to £50m in revenue during the coronavirus pandemic without the use of their prize asset, Twickenham stadium.

England lock George Kruis has admitted his frustration at seeing possibly his last Six Nations derailed but insists rugby players have not got it as bad as Olympic athletes.

EXCLUSIVE BY NIK SIMON: England prop Joe Marler is considering quitting rugby with immediate effect. The 29-year-old is understood to have become disillusioned with the sport.

Richard Parks knows a thing or two about self-isolation and is probably the least concerned of anyone about the prospect of closing his front door to the rest of the world for the next few months.

RFU CEO Bill Sweeney has also said that the Marriott hotel adjoining the stadium could be used to accommodate doctors and nurses, and the north car park for drive through testing.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The England legend has been answering all of your questions, ranging from the serious to the funny, on subjects such sport obsession and how to drop players.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: These are difficult times for all sports but I believe such moments create a time for organisations to demonstrate they are in touch with the world around them.

EXCLUSIVE BY NIK SIMON: Sir Bill Beaumont says he 'still alive and kicking' as he revealed his manifesto to be re-elected as World Rugby chairman after Sir Clive Woodward backed Agustin Pichot.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: Bill Beaumont and challenger Agustin Pichot are in the final week of their election campaign to become chairman of World Rugby. 

EXCLUSIVE BY NIK SIMON: Sir Bill Beaumont's attempt to win re-election as World Rugby chairman has been thrown into further chaos after the governing body received a damning letter.

Sir Bill Beaumont's campaign to be re-elected as World Rugby chairman was on a knife-edge on Tuesday night, after one of his leading supporters was dramatically ousted by the Fijian Rugby Union.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I wonder if all those voting for the chairmanship of World Rugby on Sunday realise the great gift and opportunity they have - or what a pivotal moment for the game this is.

The four Welsh regions are banking on their £40m share of the proposed deal helping them to balance their books and to help them become more competitive on the field.

Premiership Rugby is facing a huge drop in the value of its broadcasting rights because it failed to agree a new deal with either BT Sport or Sky before the coronavirus crisis.

England stars could lose up to THREE stone in muscle during the coronavirus lockdown and it could take them a month to get back to a safe level to play, claims a top physio. 

The Welsh Rugby Union publicly threw their weight behind Sir Bill Beaumont (left) today, backing him to retain his role as World Rugby chairman and beat rival Agustin Pichot.

Sir Bill Beaumont will discover on Saturday if, as expected, he has been elected to continue as World Rugby chairman for another four years - after the result announcement was brought forward.

The 68-year-old fought off a challenge from his vice-chairman Agustin Pichot and will stay at the head of the governing body for the next four years.