“Support” vs. Service
Small Business Saturday is one of my least favorite days of year. No, not because I dislike small businesses. Quite the opposite, actually. I have a few small businesses myself. What I dislike about it is the pandering, guilt-tripping, and manipulation that comes with it.
"Please support us."
"Go support xyz business."
"abc needs our support."
"Support small business.....by giving me money."
As I've discussed multiple times on this blog, I can't stand the term "support" when it comes to business. Businesses don't exist for us to "support" them. Businesses exist to serve their customers. If they do it well, they earn the right to do it again. It's cause and effect. If they serve well, they get to do it again. If they don't, they lose that right.
I recently saw a Facebook post on a local restaurant review group. It was about a local business that desperately needs our "support." The post's tone was that because of us terrible citizens, this unfortunate business won't be able to stay open for much longer. In other words, they would survive if we just gave them more money. Problem: Nowhere did anyone mention the restaurant's responsibility to earn the right to serve its customers.
I've been to this restaurant several times. None of the experiences were great, and one was quite poor. The employees treat customers with indifference, the food is average at best, and the prices are ridiculously high. Comments on the post were quick to point out that the restaurant is located in a high-rent part of town, negating their responsibility to offer prices commensurate with their product. Comments included themes such as:
People need to stop spending money at national chains.
People need to keep their money in our town.
People need to increase their dining out spending.
People need to spend their dollars at businesses that are owned by "good people."
Small businesses, you deserve better than to receive people's guilt-driven "support." Yes, it's difficult. Yes, it can be a brutal endeavor. Yes, there are days you'll feel like throwing in the towel. But there's nothing better than serving someone well, earning the right to serve them again, and maybe (just maybe), earning the right to serve more people. It's capitalism at its finest. It's the foundation on which nearly every successful business (large and small) has built itself.
As I wrap this up, I thought I'd reflect on some of my recent small business wins:
I'm buying 1/4 of a beef from a local meat market in the next few days. I've purchased a few items from them over the past year, and they've earned the right to serve our family even more.
I just returned from a local bookstore with too many buys. They continue to re-earn the right to serve me.
I just signed my kids up for drum and guitar lessons after a local business impressed us (i.e. earned the right) with their introductory lessons.
Small businesses, you're awesome! So go be awesome!