Business Tips | Inspired by This Blog

When you stand up for someone else who cannot stand up for themselves, someone is going to stand up for you when you least expect it-Simon T Bailey.

When I read this statement by Simon, it really struck a chord with me.

When someone I believe in has become disheartened because of the way someone in our industry has been treating them, I take a stand for them. I can’t tell you how many peers will pretend to be your friend, only to just talk about you behind your back or make sure you aren’t invited to the next event. The good thing is I can see it from a mile away and I know how it feels. What I notice most is that vendors in our business are afraid to stand up for themselves. Even worse is, our colleagues don’t want to get black listed from the high school clique that they are lucky enough to be accepted in, so they wont do anything to ruffle feathers to make a stand for you. Guess what? I will. I am not afraid of the bully who tweets rude, passive aggressive comments hoping that they look like the “expert,” while someone out there who they know will read it, feels inferior. There are people out there who are going to cut others down, but we can do something about that. We can decide to stand up for people. We can choose to be a champion for those that don’t get the credit or the industry pat on the back that they deserve.

I remember when I was growing up, my mom was always rooting for the underdog, be it a sporting event, a spelling bee, or a grade school presidential election. It didn’t matter, she said the ones who need the most support are the ones who people don’t believe in. This really stuck with me and as an adult I strive to be the voice for the person who doesn’t have one. When we know someone is spreading rumors and alienating others it’s morally wrong to just stand by and let it happen. I believe that giving gives back and loyal, kind hearts are rewarded. You may be one of the most popular, highly regarded, and respected in the wedding business now, so what are you doing with that responsibility? I still believe that A little integrity is better than any career… don’t you?

Photo by Leo Patrone

May you be inspired,

Leila

I love having my own business! I have the freedom to take on what clients I want, set my own office hours and work schedule, and if I want to take my office girls out for happy hour after a full day, I can do it! It’s great to be fulfilling my dream of helping others everyday and doing what I love for a living. But with all that said, being a business owner is tremendously difficult at times. In the past few weeks I’ve had to remind myself time after time that having your own company is not for the weary or weak. You have to have tough skin.When people don’t like your work or product or demean what you do it’s incredibly easy to take it personal as your work is a reflection of who you are. Sometimes it’s very hurtful and can discourage growing and expanding your business. In those moments we have to remember all the clients who have invested in our businesses, they see value in what we do and they’re the ones who matter. Same goes for other vendors who have invested through collaborations or referrals – if people who we work with on a consistent basis value all we have to offer then we should focus our efforts on doing a great job. There are always going to be copycats, critics, negativity and people who are jealous and want to stand in our way, so it’s important for us to brush our shoulders off and push forward. If we break every time someone tears us down we’re letting them win; instead we need to continue on with dignity and class.

This is something I struggle with as a business owner, to not take it personal when someone does something to hinder my business or someone that I’ve worked with has clearly done something intentional to hurt me. I’m human, I hurt too. Sometimes it’s very discouraging, but I constantly have to remind myself to make better choices, work with better people and surround myself with good things that will support me as a person and as a business owner.

As the owner you have to make all the decisions, you have to have all the answers and if something goes wrong it’s up to you to handle it. I’m sure that many of you fellow business owners have had to bear that burden. When you’re feeling down and disheartened, work is exhausting and emotionally draining remember that the only way to stay sane and successful is to toughen up and brush off the opinions of those who don’t matter.

Image by Leo Patrone

May you be inspired,

Leila