For most of my life I have worked in the “corporate world”, not thinking much about the small change in a business.
Every month, my salary would just magically appear in my bank account and I could breathe slightly for a week or two. That is of course until the debit orders started going off… You know that feeling I’m talking about!
Today, I am the very proud owner of a small retail business, but sadly there is a stigma attached that all business owners are wealthy…
Here is some background on how and why I became a small retail business owner
There was no big “pay day” when I left the corporate world after 27 years, as a contractor. The company would not appoint me permanently or give me any benefits, due to our South Africa’s BEE policies.
I started my own business with no inheritance, any “old money” or Lottery winnings. But I did have tremendous support and love from family and friends. Of course I was very nervous and anxious as I’ve never been unemployed since I was 18 years old.
One cold morning, having coffee with my Bestie I asked her “But what if I fall?” She responded very graciously: “Oh, but Darling, what… if you fly?” Believe me when I say, I flapped these little wings long and hard until I lifted off, but you can never stop flapping!
Some days I need to just soar a bit because I need to allow myself to look around and smell the roses, but then I have to put my head down and start flapping hard again.
Due to personal and health reasons, I had to get out of the “corporate rat race”. I worked many long and hard hours to start my business and continue to do so still today.
It hits a small business owner’s heart strings hard when you ask the “Better Price” question and I sincerely hope this article reaches your eyes.
I did not have staff or any fancy IT or marketing equipment and still don’t have it today. Owning a small business often means you have to pay more for basic services, like sewerage and property taxes.
I still have to pay my own personal medical aid, retirement annuity, rent and even coffee and toilet paper. The lights must stay on at all costs and I still have to eat… I get nothing for free or at a “Better Price”, in fact … quite the opposite!
While I was still in the “corporate rat race”, whenever I needed milk, bread or even a small treat, I would simply climb in my car, fuelled by the petrol I could just afford after payday and take a drive down to the local grocery store and buy it.
Never, not once, did I ask the store manager for a “Better Price”, because the price you see, is the price you pay. It simply just never crossed my mind to ask because that is unheard of, especially at your typical grocery store and at larger chain stores.
So why do you, Mr or Ms “Better Price”, always have to ask for a “Better Price” from a small business owner?
One day a client dared to inform me that I must make it worth his while to come back after a R300 turnover sale… Please note that all small business owners know by heart what the purchase price per item was as it was bought with our own hard earned money.
We will know when we can afford to give a “Better Price”. If you make it worth my while to give you a “Better Price”, it is a different story!
So please take note Mr or Ms “Better Price” … every time you ask for a “Better Price”, I feel disrespected and disregarded. Do you ask for a “Better Price” at: your local restaurant or pub, a petrol station, your local grocery store or your favourite movie theatre?
It hits a small business owner’s heart strings hard when you ask the “Better Price” question and I sincerely hope this article reaches your eyes.
Next time, before you ask a small business owner for a “Better Price”, especially when the product is well priced, think of my article please?
Small businesses are in fact the backbone of our country’s economy, please don’t clip our wings!
