A Cup of Conversation – by Michael Kell, GoodBean Coffee
Over the years people have asked me how we’ve survived living and doing business in a small town for so long. Here are (33) notable things observed over the past quarter-century. Please note there is no intended order of importance.
- Anonymity is a myth. There is no place to hide from stupid things said and done.
- Study names and faces of your customers. Anyone consistently spending their money in your store deserves to be on a first-name basis.
- Say “yes” as much as possible when asked to donate to good local causes.
- Never tout your product as the best unless, of course, you can prove it.
- Mind your own business. Meddling is a destroyer of relationships as is gossip.
- Just say “no” to that last glass of wine at the local watering hole especially if you like the sound of your voice.
- Bad-mouthing should only happen first thing in the morning and don’t forget to brush.
- Patronize the competition from time to time especially if they do a good job. You’ll learn something.
- Avoid being the lone objection to a popular issue at the local council meeting.
- Don’t have political signs or religious icons in your establishment. If you have to post a sign or wear the t-shirt, you’re probably not doing it right anyway.
- Use local vendors whenever possible and pay them on time, sometimes easier said than done.
- Stay off Facebook except to promote your shop. Small-town is small enough.
- Don’t bring the dog to work. You’ll forget Fido as the daily distractions mount and the dog will make you pay.
- If you have a potty-mouth, save it for the above-mentioned dog but definitely not in your store or anyone else’s.
- Don’t bring the shop home with you especially the part when you pay bills.
- Be wise when hiring kids of friends. Nobody wants to see their kid lose a job even if Junior has it coming.
- In December, say “Merry Christmas” even if you’re not feeling very merry and don’t necessarily do Christmas.
- Avoid working the business with the spouse without well-defined roles, healthy boundaries and right priorities. This means marriage first and business second.
- Pick your managers very carefully. They are you when you’re not there.
- Always wave to local law enforcement even when caught driving down Main Street a little too fast.
- Never park in front of your merchant-neighbor’s business or in her parking spot, designated or not.
- Don’t hire your own kids unless you’re disciplined in the art of not playing favorites.
- Treat fellow merchants well. Alienated merchants cost you a small fortune in non-referred business.
- If you’re not even-tempered, hire an amiable front person and stay safely in the back office.
- Treat regulars to a free purchase every now and then to let them know how appreciated they are.
- Be reluctant to raise prices and only when the competition does so first or when vendors and or government leave you no choice.
- Don’t tow a car parked in your spot unless it’s an emergency. You may not know who it belongs to but they know where to find you.
- Do not under-volunteer or over-volunteer. The former promotes selfishness, the latter bitterness.
- Avoid alienating the power of the pen and sword. This means the local newspaper and city hall.
- Understand the inherent moral contract of employing young people. With the right guidance and encouragement, any one of them just may change the world for the better.
- Make it a point to come in after-hours and hit your knees in gratitude for the privilege of a small town living.
- If you write a column for your local paper, measure your words thrice and hit the “send” button once.
- Be Good not bitter.