San Francisco (CNN Business) Nonessential businesses are being forced to temporarily close across the country. Some small businesses owners say the closures would be disastrous -- especially as stay-at-home mandates extend from weeks into months. So they're changing course to survive.

Brian Kule

I

n New Jersey, Bryan Kule would usually be designing and selling lighting fixtures at his boutique Shades of Soho. Instead, he's now shopping for and delivering groceries and medications.

"When I first found out, had that nervous feeling, heart palpitating, thinking, 'I'm going to lose my house, I'm going to lose my store,'" Kule said of the mandated closures. "I saw a post on Facebook; somebody already was like, 'How am I going to get groceries?' No pun intended, a light bulb went off."

He created Bergen Brings, a one-man grocery delivery outfit to serve residents of his Glen Rock borough and nearby areas.

"As far as a government bailout , I'm not banking on anything," Kule said. "I wish I could, but I just have to bank on me. And I don't want to lose my house, I don't want to lose my business. I have an 11-year-old son, I can't disappoint him. That would be devastating."

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