10 Things a small business owner wants to tell you but can't

This has been on my heart for months, and today its time to speak my mind. As some of you will know my springboard into coaching happened as a result of owning my own boutique in small town America. It was truly the best of times and 3 years on I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

The people I met, the stuff I learned, the community and satisfaction of a dream realized is unimaginable, and has made me who I am today. There are things though I wish I could have said at the time but I was unable too. I made a promise to myself that this blog would always be from my heart and uncensored, so here goes.....

As a small business owner we have a responsibility to keep up appearances for ourselves, our business and for the other business around us. The general public have no idea of the energy, love, attention to meticulous details, fiscal pressures, sleep deprivation, incredible highs and extreme lows you sign up for when you commit to working for yourself. Yes there are advantages to having your own business! Yes its a beautiful thing, and yes those of us who love it continue to put ourselves through it day after day, project after project.

There are some things though we want you to know.....

1. I'm Smiling Through It

Owning your own business is exhilarating and at times incredibly isolating. When the book stops and simultaneously begins with you and only you, there is constant pressure. Its super tiring and emotionally draining. Yet all the while you have to smile through because nobody is going to throw you a lifebelt.

We obsess over the quiet days, we guilt trip ourselves about productivity levels on busy days! We worry that we have to much static inventory that isn't selling, then panic that there isn't enough when we have bumper sales day. When we are so busy, and making money we can't stop to take a breath. When we are quiet enough to take a break we get busy at getting busy!

2. I'm Tired

We work a 36hr day. 12 days a week. There is no such thing as down time. My store opened 6 days a week, and closed on Mondays. That was not my day off! It was buying day! Up and on the road by 6am driving a 300 mile round trip to design houses and manufacturers and after 8 hours of buying and writing checks that would make you hair curl and stomach turn, another 6 hours merchandising, pricing and cataloguing my new inventory before opening the following morning. on time by the way! because the local social media and review pages would slaughter you if your door wasn't unlocked at 9.50am prompt!

3. Sometimes You Hurt My Feelings

The little things you don't even notice, like a vacuumed floor, a clean window and a swept doorstep, we did that too! When you walk into a store and make a dumb ass comment like "I could get this cheaper elsewhere" or "You don't have what I'm looking for" we take it personally. We put so much effort into every last detail so not to fail you as a consumer that when we do, whether it be in our control or not, its like a kick in the stomach. Our vision and stores are often an extension of ourselves and personality, when you say something without thinking it feels like you just called my baby ugly! (but I have to smile through it again! because you are always right!)

4. A Small Business Is About Experiences

Yes you maybe able to find a comparable product in Wallmart cheaper, But shopping in a small business isn't just about the price point. Its about the love, care and attention you are shown. Its about a quality experience and its about helping someone realize their dream and legacy. Often times small businesses don't have the same buying power as the larger big boxes, and its impossible to compete on price alone.

5. Just Ask Me

Because a small business owner eats, sleeps, breaths and drinks their business, they are pretty much an expert at what they do and their product (well you would hope so!) I can save you a shit load of drama If you ask me for advice! We are more than willing to give it to you, and we happily share our passion to help best serve you!

6. SPEND SOME GOD DAMN MONEY

Part of the catalyst for this blog is that a friend of mine has recently announced the closure of her business. As you would expect she has shared the news on Facebook and Social Media about her closing down sale. I have read at least 100 comments today about how sad it is. How sorry people are to hear the news. How she will be missed. Whilst all of this is true, if those 100 people had spent $10 in the store yesterday perhaps small business would be sustainable!

7. Be sensitive

Closing a store and making a change takes balls. BIG BIG BALLS! Nobody closes their business without a huge amount of consideration. Closing my store even though I knew it was the right thing to do, even though I had a bigger and better plan was like putting a family pet down. There is a huge amount of loss, along with some senseless emotions that are purely ego and vanity driven, but nonetheless real.

What will people think ?

Will people see the bigger plan, or think I failed?

Will it effect the footfall of the other business owners holding on around me ?

What message will an empty retail space give to the community?

How am I going to face everyone?

8. Be respectful

During the close out my store was busier than ever. Which is a blessing and a curse, liquidating inventory is a smart move and business decision, but it feels like the vultures have descended and are picking though your life's work like a greedy relative making fast cash from your dead grandparents inheritance! I know everyone loves a bargain but if something is marked down, don't haggle for more off in the hope that "they just want rid"

9. Be Positive

Often times as difficult as it is to close the doors on a store, there is something bigger an better waiting around the corner. Just like I had a plan, most savvy entrepreneur will have something lined up. Be sure to ask them and inspire them to go again! Lift them up make them remember why they have slogged it out to serve you and their bigger dream. Follow them on their journey, support them as hard if not harder this time!

10. WE DO IT FOR YOU!

The one thing any business owner wants you to know above anything else..... Its worth it! We do it for you. We do it so you can see what we see. We do it to ease your load, we do it from a place a service. We do it so that you can have the best possible experience. We do it so that you can have a peek into the window of our passions. WE DO IT BECAUSE WE CARE. We do it because its all we can do. We do it to keep Main Street culture alive. We do it because it matters.