For purposes of this article, let's not generalize. Let's talk about ground-up entrepreneurs who busted their tail to get to where they're at and whose bottom line is more about making a difference than making money. I'm not sure greedy business owners who had things handed to them and only care about one thing, would hold this same mindset.
With that I give you 5 REASONS BUSINESS OWNERS ARE BETTER CONSUMERS:
1. WE'LL HELP CLEAN YOUR PLACE FOR YOU.
We know how it is. Someone has to clean the place. I won't throw wads of straw wrappers on the ground anymore at a restaurant, or paper towels on the ground near the urinal. They're not going to pick up themselves. I try to clean up our restaurant booth as much as possible, make the bed before I check out from the hotel, and fold the clothes back on the rack at the department store after trying them on. I want to leave your place the way I found it, because I know how hard you're working to keep it that way.
2. WE REALLY, REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR DONATION.
We don't expect it. We know you get asked a lot. We know that people get mad if you aren't able. It's ok if you can't, we know you don't have to. And if you do, we don't take it lightly. We are truly grateful for any bit that you can offer. Now to companies that don't do it at all, well shame on you. It has to be part of our mission to serve our communities. We have always found that even if it's not in the budget, when you give, it will always come back full circle. And even if it doesn't, you still do it anyways, because it's not about you.
3. WE RESPECT YOUR COSTS.
Except for a place that sells jeans for a ridiculous $200 a pair, within reason, we understand your expenses. Just because you have brick and mortar doesn't mean you're rolling in the cash. I remember thinking that if you owned a business then you must be rich or something. Then I found out that just to rent an open warehouse facility costs $3,000/month, on the low end. I learned that plaza store fronts are paying anywhere between $5-$20,000/month just to keep their sign on the front of the building. I understand why a cheeseburger might cost $10 now. Because if you want quality ingredients and substance, you'll pay for it. If not, you can go down the street to McDonald's, and you'll get what you paid for there. #dogfood
4. WE WOULDN'T WANT YOU TO BE OPEN 24HRS, YOU HAVE A FAMILY TOO.
Chik-Fil-A isn't open on Sundays, and they're not having any issues with business. A lot of stores close at a reasonable hour, and they're making it work. One of the biggest problems we have in this country is the lack of family structure. And it's because people are working their lives away. Let's not contribute to the problem. If you don't have to be open all hours of the night, and especially on holidays, we don't mind if you keep your doors closed and your employees home with their families. So if you are open, and I do make that trip at 3am to grab something, you better believe I'm going to pay homage to you for it.
5. WE KNOW CUSTOMERS AREN'T ALWAYS RIGHT.
The old adage is not true---customers aren't always right. So when we're in this role, we don't act like we are. People feel so entitled. If I go out to eat, it's because I didn't want to make dinner. I'm not going to throw a fit if service is bad. If you messed up my order in the drive-thru (I mean, when I used to go through drive-thrus), I'm the type of dude that will just go back around and place a new order, or suck it up and eat what you gave me. Unless it's a huge deal, I'm not going to complain, and especially not make a scene. Constructive feedback of course, but in a genuine way. Humans are humans. They mess up. We all do. We can't act like we don't make mistakes. If something were terrible, or keeps happening, I just won't go back to that place anymore. And if you're providing great service and an awesome products, but it's not my style, I'm not going to complain and act like you should change something to appease me. I'll applaud you and go find services elsewhere.
These are just some thoughts that I ripped from the top of my head. As always, I'm not saying I'm right. And I'm not saying you're wrong if you don't agree with me. This may have done nothing for you other than change your perspective. But you know what I say, once that changes, so does your life.
It may just be an absolute game-changer for you, and your appreciation towards others who serve you.
#Itsnotaboutme,
Coach Theo
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