Small Business Support
November 25, 2023
It’s small business Saturday!
For those who don’t know, Christine Bernhardt and I own a small business together (Shoutout to Bright Side Sweets! )
It is really hard work and also rewarding. It is built in time each week to connect with each other and with our amazing customers. It engages our brains in a different way. It fosters our creativity, resourcefulness, and passions.
And it feels good to provide people with delicious gluten free options when they can be so hard to come by.
We love our little side hustle!
Recently, someone called and asked about our hours.
When I explained that we are open on Saturday mornings from 8:00-1:00, the person on the phone angrily replied, “How do you people run businesses?” as they quickly hung up on me.
The phone clicked before I could reply. Before I could acknowledge the frustration and anger in their voice.
Maybe they were having a bad day. Maybe their schedule does not allow for them to visit on Saturday mornings. Maybe they tried other bakeries who were not able to fulfill their expectations before they called us. They certainly were experiencing big emotions. Their feelings are all valid.
And also, someone’s hurt and anger and disappointment must not be projected onto others.
This person doesn’t know us personally, so they don’t know that we work in other positions every day Monday through Friday. This person doesn’t know that we have families at home. This person doesn’t know that it is just the two of us keeping it going. This person doesn’t know that our accountant has joked that we should be non-profit but we try to keep our prices lower to make them accessible, especially to people with dietary restrictions. This person doesn’t know that in addition to other careers and family commitments, we mentor, we volunteer, we advocate.
Business owners are free to run their business in the way that is right for them.
Period.
So, let’s remember to be kind always.
And let’s keep supporting the small businesses in your local community who work hard to provide products and services to others, who care about their people, who do the best they can, who show up, and who make decisions for their business that are right for them and their families.
