Small business owners give what they can, in different ways.
Having interviewed dozens of business owners in my community and in the community where I grew up, I can honestly say there are many small business owners out there conducting themselves admirably. They are, in fact, benevolent business owners.
In the last few weeks, I have spoken with numerous merchants and have found them all to have the “5 Cs” that I’ve listed above.
They seem eager and happy to give back to their community. Some are actively doing it in large and public ways, while others are doing what they can to contribute.
The owner of a successful clothing store is spearheading efforts to raise funds for a new digital mammogram machine for the local hospital. Most of her staff have been with her for years because they are happy to be there and love making people feel good about the clothes they wear. They could choose to work elsewhere but they stay. I felt their positive energy as I spoke with them. I can’t help but believe they like being part of a charitable business.
The owner of a cake shop has ultra-friendly staff, who joked with me when I arrived on the wrong day. When I came back for the interview, I found out that they all contribute their tips voluntarily to a fund that benefits several local charities. The owner told me that she only wanted to hire people that wanted to be there. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and her staff obviously feed on it.
The owner of a very successful hair salon told me about a “cut-a-thon” that he organized, to raise funds for local charities. He spoke with pride about being in a position where he’s able to give back to a community that’s done so much to support his business.
These are the kinds of things I like to hear: merchants who are grateful for the success they’ve had. People like this understand that nothing comes easily in business, and you need good fortune along the way. And, once you’ve had that good fortune, it’s important to return the favour.
There are other small business owners who are simply very nice people that love being able to work in their community, and are happy to contribute in various ways.
I learned from the owner of an independent graphics (printing) company about the time that he stepped in to help when a vendor was in trouble, because their longtime printing company had just declared bankruptcy. He said he and his team were more than happy to do the urgent job, because he hopes that someone who do the same for him if he ever needed the assistance.
The owner of a clothing alteration shop was simply one of the sweetest women I’ve ever met. Her family are immigrants from the Middle East and she radiates positive energy. She says helping people gives her great pleasure and she likes to visit with her customers even when they don’t have new business for her. I wanted to tear my jacket just so I would have a reason to come back.
The young owner of a ‘fair trade’ tea and coffee shop is glad he has the opportunity to put his values into play, by offering only products where farmers and artisans receive an equitable exchange for their products.
All these people have been kind enough to allow me into their workplace and let me ask them questions. They shared their stories and sometimes that meant revealing details that went beyond dollars and cents. Some of the details I won’t ever share because, upon replaying the recording, they seem to have been told in confidence.
The stories that come from these interviews are free publicity for the merchants, but that doesn’t diminish the fact that there was a lot of trust involved in our discussions. They trusted me with their stories and that says a lot about them and the quality of their character.