Have you ever felt small? As if you don't feel valued as a human being?
It is an awful feeling. In contrast, to receive validation as an employee, family member, or even as a consumer can have long lasting positive effects.
My wife and I used to live in the Bixby Knolls area and greatly enjoyed shopping and dining at the many fine establishments that are located along Atlantic Ave. We are currently moving back into the neighborhood due to its convenient location between my job and my wife's employment.
While looking for a new apartment along Carson St. I was trying to find parking and decided to quickly park in the tiny lot located in front of Stearns Liquor Bixby and the Flower Mart (north east corner of Carson St. and Atlantic Ave.). My intention was to park there for no more than a few minutes while I was trying write down the phone number on a "for rent" sign posted at a nearby apartment building. After quickly parking, I was walking east on Carson St. and was immediately challenged by the presumed owner/employee of Stearns Liquor Bixby.
The man stated to me, "Where do you think you're going? Are you going to just leave your car there?"
After a brief pause, I swallowed all my pride, gave the man a brief nod and moved my vehicle.
This employee could have politely explained that parking was limited and calmly request me to park my vehicle elsewhere. How many retail stores would consider angrily defending their territory more important than neighbor relations?
The whole interaction stank to me. It was clear no one was going to buy liquor at that store at noon, on a Monday. I am a potential customer that was looking to move next door and would have likely shopped at this Liquor store many times.
Simply, the man cared more about that parking spot than he cared about me. Considering this establishment is new to the area, one would think the employees would care about the community's perception of a small business. In fact, why does anyone visit a small business instead a big chain store or the internet? It is for the one-on-one, personal service you receive at well-run small businesses.
This liquor store offers little more than I would normally get at a grocery store or BevMo (trader joes is just down the street, an example of a major grocery chain that shows customer appreciation).
The employee that challenged me, cared very little about my potential business. In his mind '1 person turned away=1 potential customer'. It was apparent I did not matter to him.
This is flawed logic. 1 person=1,000 potential customers.
Each of us has value as a consumer and we share with our friends, family, and strangers on the internet (Yelp) our experiences and feelings. I look at Yelp constantly to determine where I shop and eat, because I genuinely care what other people have to say. I trust the people that live in my community.
Trust me . . . when I say that if you need to buy alcohol, just go somewhere else.
Let us empower each other and cast our vote by giving our hard-earned dollars to businesses that reflect the values we all share.
Thank you and have a blessed day. read more