Serious Question For Business Owners (Long)
Business By CelebrationsbyLori Updated 19 Jun 2008 , 12:07am by heatherLhorton
Yes, there are always two sides, but we each must protect our a**ets. Any business is an expense and headache to run- and we depend on it. With thousands of $$$$ on the line, can we help but be "defensive"?
When you consider the time, effort, blood, sweat and tears that go into it, why is it "evil" to be sure we defend it (a business). Remember, WalMart scopes out the competition and demand in a neighborhood before they move it---- and yes, run out many a small business.
A doctor makes his/her living based on the education and diploma (and license) they receive. Any business owner here has also "paid" for their own education in time, failure, heartache, etc. I don't get free advice from my doctor (mechanic, plumber, electrician, etc).... and they all keep "trade secrets". Sure, they will share a little.... but often with a tight restraint. And I am SURE if they felt there business could suffer even a 1% loss, that would be the end.....
NO ONE, on either side of this situation should be embarrassed or offended--- too much is at risk! I certainly hope that both businesses operate successfully and enhance each other well (I will keep my fingers crossed) however doubtful or leary I may be... I feel for both of you!
Heather, I hope you didn't think that by my posting that the thread was a year old that I thought you didn't have a right or shouldn't have posted to it. Of course you have the right, and like I said, I can completely understand your feeling defensive about it.
I just think that if you've had a good working relationship during that year, then there's a good chance that it wasn't a sham. If she had continued to post behind your back all year and acted like things were fine to your face, that would be different. I would tend to think, though, that since she hasn't done that, the way she has represented herself to you in person during that time would be a truer indicator of her true feelings.
Well, this was what I was trying to avoid. I kept my post clear of names or name calling and was simply asking for advice on what to me was an uncomfortable situation. Heather, I knew you were a user of CC, there is a listing of registered users, and I didn't feel I was posting anything offensive and I still don't. I have not "hidden" from you when you come in the store, I have waited on you countless times in the last year, you are in at least once a week!
Anyway, I apologize if I have offended anyone, but this is business and it is not a hobby for me, it is my career, 24/7 and I will do my best to keep it that way.
Lori
One other thing, I think you'r remarks to me would have been better left to a PM, e-mail instead of on the post.
I just find this amazing...after Lori took time to help this woman....she digs up a year old post...and does this.
I'm beginning to wonder if the old saying ..."no good deed goes unpunished"...isn't true.
I'm taking a break from CC.
I just find this amazing...after Lori took time to help this woman....she digs up a year old post...and does this.
I'm beginning to wonder if the old saying ..."no good deed goes unpunished"...isn't true.
I'm taking a break from CC.
Come on now, that wasn't very nice. I thought the way she handled it was just fine - it wasn't the least bit mean spirited... unlike many of the posts prior to hers.
I think Heather was very professional in her response, don't know how I would react to reading posts about me here, but I don't think I'd be as calm, cool and collected as Heather.
Lori wrote the original question in open forum, I think Heather was right to tell her side in open forum as well. From now on, I think you'll be better off talking in person or PM tho'. This place can be downright nasty lately!
It's a difficult situation, I hope it works out for both of you, but you two are the only ones who can fix it. Nothing the rest of us have to say means anything when it comes down to it.
My eyes glazed over midway through the she-said/she-said. My take-away message is that here are two cake ladies airing their personal dirty laundry in public.
And I'd bet I'm not the only one.
The only way to win this one is not to play, folks.
If I had a cake shop and another one moved in a couple blocks from me I would come here to vent.
If I were the cake shop that moved in two blocks away and found a post about me, more than likely I would post to defend myself.
I don't think either of the two ladies did anything wrong.
Why turn this into more than it is?
LOUD APPLAUSE FOR MARY!
I agree! We are all hear to vent, and we all need to care for our businesses, income, and families. None of us want to believe "the worst" of people we help, but it DOES happen. It is really naive to believe that it doesn't. No such accusation was made here, but we are not stupid either....
The pressure of a store front- rent, utilities, employees, etc. is enormous!
I must post one more time and then I would like to let this die! However, now I feel like I have to defend MYself. If you will read my ORIGINAL post and the subsequent ones, I NEVER named any names or inplied any individual, there are several posts on this forum right now on how do I handle this customer, or how to give a professional response. This was no different and I feel like I am being lumped in with some of the harsh responses. Heather and I have no ill will toward each other and have respectfully worked this misunderstanding out like adults.
Now, (in my best Forrest Gump) that's all I have to say about that!
Lori
I'm confused.....I understand the need to be careful in an open forum but more than half the posts here are rants/vents about vendors, mother-in-laws, kids, teachers, clients or whatever. Are we saying that we are not allowed to vent? Or merely pointing out the potential ramifications of posting in an open forum?
For those who are somehow chastising the OP, I guess I don't get it. Her original post didn't give specifics, a business name, etc. I am sure someone could figure it out if they tried, of course, which leads to my next question.
How did this year old post come up at all? It seems like a generic rant buried among many others and I wonder if this was an example of someone who knows your CC identity and then looking thru all your old posts? Forgive me if I sound nasty, but that is what it looks like to me. I suspect even if it were true it would be denied so it's a bit of a moot point.
Regardless, I do see the point of those trying to show how these things live on forever so we should be careful of what we say, but if you take away my CC-rant priviledges, I will slowly lose my mind!
And I've got to be honest, after reading this whole thing, I agree that a private PM would have been a better choice. Since she said she would have preferred that the OP talk to her directly instead of in an open forum, why was this whole thing brought back to an open forum unless it was all intended to embarass the OP? I hope I am wrong......
*** Just a little FYI: I am just as guilty for posting rants and such and many could come back to bite me in the rump. If my family members discovered my CC id, they would have blackmail power over me for years to come.
I don't think anyone is saying not to vent - just to be smart about it when you are operating a business.
I have vented ONE time here... and it was under my "alter ego". I would never run the risk of my customers, competitors or anyone else witnessing unprofessional behavior. I just won't do it.
I advocate maintaining a professional image if you are going to call yourself a professional. And vent at your own risk.
i really don't think we need to be posting in here about all this anymore...obviously the two are working it out in private
You are right. And, thank you Lori for posting one last time. We both agree, it seems, that this should end.
Feel free to go on, but know that we are over it =).
Thanks for caring enough to rant and such! Keep it up and lets not all take everything so seriously next time on here. This IS a place to rant and ask for help and advice. We are all in this together. I got offended, I said what I had to say and now we have worked it out. I am happy with the outcome.
I'm with Lori on this one.
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