The Biggest Failure

In the past 30 years, I've seen many small businesses come and go.  Many of the owners of these small businesses sought counsel from various members of our family, so from a young age, I was able to hear alot of what to do and what not to do if I wanted to keep a business going.

Of course, we all know that there are many factors involved in a business' success.  Sometimes, it seems like just dumb luck that allows one person to stay in business while another closes up shop.

But, I will share with you today one of the most common things that causes a small business to fail. 

Not Paying Your Taxes.

In our business, my husband takes care of filing our paperwork and paying our taxes.  Because part of our business is retail, we collect sales tax from our customers and pay it to the state government once a month.  It's always shocking how quickly 6% of sales can add up!  There are also the payroll taxes that are withheld from our employee's paychecks and also paid to the state and federal governments monthly.  Property taxes...income taxes...the list continues!

It is very easy to spend these taxes while they are sitting in your checkbook, before they are due to be paid to the various government entities.  You'll pay yourself back, right?   DON'T DO THIS!

Set the taxes aside or hide them in a totally different account!  Additionally, set aside 25% of any net income that your business realizes for your personal income tax. 

You will put yourself out of business very quickly if you are not very diligent about paying your taxes on time!

Gratefulness

It's Thanksgiving Day and I'm relaxing with my family and counting my blessings!

So, why am I blogging about business?

One of the biggest blessings in my life is my business and I'm thankful that God has given me the opportunity to do what I love; bless my customers,and work with a wonderful team of employees and fellow vendors.

I am thankful for my parents, who taught me how to serve customers and the nitty-gritty of fabrics & clothing care while I grew up in the drycleaning business.

I am thankful for my husband, who gives me unmatched support and encouragement.

I am thankful for my beyond-fabulous assistant and manager, Rachel, who keeps September's Bride running!

I am thankful for my entire September's Bride, EVENTS by September's Bride, and Great Lakes Wedding Gown Specialists team... Rachel, Bernice, Sherry, Julie, Mallory, Michelle T., Michelle E., Monica, Megan, and Tania!

I am thankful for each and every customer and bride that God has sent our way.  It's truly an honor to serve!

I am thankful for health, strength, and knowledge that allows me to work.

I am thankful for business associates and fellow vendors who generate a spirit of cooperation and fun in our little area of the biz!

Psalm 37:4 "Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart"

What Motivates You?

In my journey of running a debt-free small business, cash flow is always on my mind.   A few weeks ago, I realized to what extent my bank balance was affecting my mood.  Cash in the bank? Good; Tami's happy!  Cash a little low?  Grumpy Tam comes out.

Although understandable, this is wrong!  My life is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, not my bank balance. 

I would begin to panic when the cash reserves dipped.  "Should I change my marketing techniques?  Advertise more?  Advertise less?  What are my competitors up to?  I've got to create some buzz..."  Pretty soon, my mind would be spinning and my focus would shift.

Now, do not misunderstand me.  I do believe it is important to stop occasionally and take stock of marketing, advertising, and the competitors.  But, it must be done in a purposeful way and at specific times.  Not willy-nilly, running around as a reaction to a poor sales week.

See, God has called me to bless my customers.  That phrase is even in our Mission Statement.  When I begin comparing myself to my competitors, obsessing over my bank balance, or countless other things that I begin to do when worrying; I am not doing what God has called me to do, or what my customers deserve.

Why am I sharing this personal attitude adjustment?  Because this blog is my accountability partner.  I want my team members, business accquaintances, and family members to call me out when I lose my focus.

How is your focus this week?  Will you join me in focusing on customers service, excellent products, and ethical business practices and let God control the cash flow?

Happy Independents' Week!

No, that's not a typo or spelling mistake.  Independent businesses all around the country recognize July 1-7 as "Indendents' Week", celebrating local, independent merchants, restuarants, and services!

This is an issue about which I am quite passionate, both as a business owner and as a customer.  For each dollar spent at a local, independent business, approximately $.68 stays in the community!  Compare this with $.13 that stays in the community for each dollar spent at a "big box" store.

Local businesses employ local workers; you, your family members, and your neighbors.  The other businesses that they choose to work with for their services, such as accountants, waste pickup, cleaning, etc., are more likely to be other local, independent businesses, too.  The profit dollars are invested back into the same community and not sent on to a large corporate headquarters.

When doing business with a local company, you are more likely to get a better product and almost always guaranteed more personal service.  At the bookstore that I frequent, I get book recommendations from the owner herself.  The coffee shops right near my business will often hand-deliver or call me when my favorite items are on special!

In our family's drycleaners, I cannot count the times that my dad has given special care or free delivery to a customer who needed a piece of clothing or a household article "immediately".  At my bridal store, I can guarantee better quality and service to my brides than the large, "big-name" bridal warehouses; I promise!

Now, I am not naive about the fact that even the large stores with out-of-state headquarters still hire local workers.  I also will admit to enjoying my weekly trip to Target, with it's dollar deals and cute, cheap clothes that I wear for a season and then toss.  But, I will always invest my time and money in a local, independent business when quality and service is a priority.

So, ask you to join me in celebrating "Independents' Week" by visiting a local merchant, building a relationship, and then enjoying the best that our marketplace has to offer!

September's Bride is a proud member of LIBA- Lakeshore Independent Business Alliance

Great Business Blog!

As you know, there are myriads of blogs here in cyberspace about business.

My latest find and daily "must-read" is Create Small Business Success.  Nothing new or revolutionary, but just regular reminders of all the things we should already know and be doing as small business persons and entrepreneurs.

Breakfast Boost

If you lead employees or a team, you know how important it is to be sure that all of the individuals are "meshing" and can at least tolerate, if not enjoy, working together.

At our family's business, we have nearly 35 employees working at 3 different locations, so this can be a little challenging sometimes.

My bridal store, however, only has 6 employees who all work at the same place.  Over Spring Break, I gave them a pretty big challenge; which they worked together to achieve. 

As a reward, we went to a great local restaurant for breakfast this past Saturday morning where I also gave them each a gift certificate for a manicure.  We had a great time and it allowed each member of the staff to "bond" just a bit more with the others.  The shared experience of meeting the goal and then celebrating together was work the extra money that it cost the business.

A Full Moon?

So, yesterday was rough.

Do you ever have one of those days in your business where everything you touch goes wrong and no matter how hard you try, no customer is happy?  That was yesterday for me.

Two business associates then told me that it was a full moon and that was the reason. 

Whatever the cause, those kind of days are going to happen to all of us, especially if you are involved in customer service.  (Aren't we all)

Some of the difficulties were my fault; I forgot to sew a monogram patch into a wedding gown and had to try to do it quickly while the bride and her Mom were waiting. 

Most of the challenges were caused by another:  a bride whose gown came in too short from the designer, another bride who soiled her gown before the wedding, a wedding file with two different dates listed...

In business, it doesn't matter who caused the difficulties and we can never use the word "fault".  The customer service rep, the manager, and ulitimately, the owner, bears the responsibility for correcting the mistakes and making the customer as happy as possible.

So how we do handle these days?

For me, my faith in God reminds me that He is in control and nothing surprises Him.  When I consciously turn difficult issues over to Him, my mind can clear and sometimes  see a solution that I had not thought of before.  Sometimes, I just have to work through the problem and know that "tomorrow is another day" (to quote a favorite movie)

May I encourage you in knowing that you are not the only small business manager or owner who faces tough days and customers who will not be pleased nor even satisfied.  Offer the best solution you can, give the customer your sincere apology and move on. 

Blessings,
Tami

New Logo for Lemon Fresh Cleaners!

In my own business, September's Bride, I can make marketing decisions and change things up at will.  If something does not work or I decide that I do not like the way it looks, I can change it again.

However, I also help my parents' in their business, Lemon Fresh Cleaners.  At Lemon Fresh, Dad is the boss and even my best ideas have to get past his approval before being tried or used.  Personally, I can get very frustrated by this; but then I remember that the accountability is good for me.  I have to think through my ideas and proposals and present them concisely.

Something I have been working on is a new, "fresh" logo for Lemon Fresh Cleaners!   My criteria from the boss was that it had to include a lemon and the same colors as the previous logo that we have used for 35 years.  Both my parents and I are happy with the finished product, pictured above.

Do you like our new logo?

What are your challenges in a family business?

How do you handle working with your family?