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Lady Gaga represents herself at the Billboard
Awards. (AP photo)
One of the burdens of owning your own business is the long hours. For some it is not so bad. They enjoy their business so much, that the long hours are part of doing business, but many don't know, that the long hours may be longer than they think. Many don't realize they they are still representing their business even when they are buying groceries or picking up their kids from school.
For example, several weeks back, I was a block away from my son's school and slowing down for the upcoming right hand turn into the drive way, when a red SUV came up behind me, passed me and then got in front of me to turn into the same school driveway. As she turned right, I saw on her passenger door a magnetic sign for dog grooming.
Without her even knowing, I made a mental note to never go there. Here she was not even at work, probably late (justifying her erratic driving) and she had just representing herself by cutting in front of me.
Maybe at her shop, she is a very nice woman. Maybe her grooming skills are better than anyone else's in town, but after that little maneuver of hers, I can only envision her rushing through the dog grooming and doing a poor job, and being unorganized enough to be running late.
As a small business owner, you have to be aware that you are on duty, representing your business, 24 hours a day. When you call the dentist office, when you meet with your child's teacher, whenever your in a restaurant, you never know when someone might recognize you as the owner of your business. You certainly don't want to be yelling at your kids in Wal-Mart and look up and see a client of yours watching you. You don't want to raise a finger as you drive by a pokey driver and realize it's the school's principal. Either one of those actions can jeopardize future clients.
Before you complain, and say "don't I do enough" remember it comes with the territory. There are many other careers where you have to do the same. Celebrities, for example, have to represent themselves whenever they leave their house, because they never know when they will be recognized or the paparazzi will be hiding behind a bush, ready to photograph their actions for the whole world to see.
It's tough for celebrities, but they know it just comes with the territory. Even though they may be hung over that day, or they had a fight with their boyfriend, for the sake of their reputation, they have to put on a brave front. For the sake of your business, you do, too.
Even though some celebrities slip up now and then, their fans are more forgiving of their transgressions, but believe me your clients won't be. One rude jester, could not only lose you that client, but others as well, when the story gets passed.
So, the next time your on your way to pick up your kids, when you get frustrated at the slow driver in front of you, as you pass them by, use your whole hand to wave this time, and not just one finger. Remember, it just might be one of your fans.
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