When we go into business, it's with the aim of making profit and growth, but it seems to some people that a business person has an infinity amount of money somewhere, and that's how the business keeps growing, what they are not knowledgeable about is that a thriving business follows certain principles to maintain the growth that keeps on attracting customers. I was opportune to be taught how to run a business by my husband after we were newly wedded, he is a strict businessman, he invested in the business and I was kept in charge of managing it, at first, I taught he was too strict because he made sure I kept to time, avoid late coming, kept proper account of the inflow and outflow of cash, recorded stock and made sure they were up to date, In fact I became a perfectionist when it involves business through him, and when it was time for me to migrate to my business, the experience I got while running my husband business helped me a lot.
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But in my line of business as a fashion designer different from my husband's type, I'm always faced with attaching pleasures to business, which I don't like because sewing is stressful, and having someone not pay for my services as expected stresses and demotivates me.
There is a popular African proverb that says that "the insect that eats the leaf, lives on it" The same can be said about some family and friends when it comes to business, from my experience, I usually have a better deal and business experience when it involves a stranger than when working for some friends, I'm one of the few business people lucky to have family members who understands that business is business, so I naturally let them have discount or just on my free will render my service as gift because when it comes to business they truly understand and don't joke with mine. But when it comes to certain friends, to be frank, I've had ugly experiences from some that made me resolve never to get over-familiar with my customers because this is what leads to that "feeling of entitlement mindset" they suddenly develop towards my business. Imagine working for a friend, and she feels it's okay to owe me for three months because she's a friend, does this type of person really want my growth, or an enemy of progress?
More recent experience
There is this neighbour of mine who I just of recent felt comfortable with as friend, because we talk and share things as neighbours should, so the first time she requested for my services to make her and her daughters some outfit, because of it was her first time requesting for my service, and also considering her as a new found friend, I didn't give her a specific charge(worst mistake) and told her to pay what she has, truly, I never minded if she paid below the normal charge, as I just felt its a sort of a good will and she will understand that it that doesn't mean subsequent jobs would be the same, after all its business and giving out discount every time will not grow a business, I thought she would have that understanding, I never knew I was shooting myself on the leg creating that first avenue, because she came back bringing more jobs and this time, they were more complicated and also needed materials to work with, without thinking much, I gave her the normal cost of all, but the reply I got left me shocked, according to her, I was wrong to have given her a price because she's a neighbour that cares about my mum and kids, I was shocked is an understatement, because don't I also care about her and her kids, so because of my first good will that automatically means subsequent businesses should be the same, knowing that sewing takes time, stresses and also involves sourcing for material to work with, all of which that constitute the cost of making the dress.she sent half the supposed payment and ended with she doesn't have anything else to pay which I know is a lie, just that she doesn't value me and my business growth and took my goodwill for granted, normally. So I decided to avoid any help from her that would make her feel entitled to take advantage of my business because from what I observed, she is someone who doesn't help with her heart, but wants sort of recognition and entitlement in return, which I don't mind but not with my business as business is business and shouldn't be mixed in such affair.
Would I be trying such again?
I have learned my lesson the hard way, even lost money several times due to this very act of trying to show a form of goodwill, but I always get taken advantage of, so never am I allowing my business get taken advantage of again, that doesn't mean I would stop giving beautiful outfits as gift, no, I would do that on my own free will and not when it comes to business talk. It will require me hardening my soft heart I know if I truly want growth and become one of the top designers I dream of, I should learn to be strict and deal with business matters rightly at this budding stage so when that growth I seek comes, everyone is already used to my no business with pleasure rules.