Running a Business....Living Your Life
There is something unique about being a work at home mom. It’s a career you sign up for knowing it will, for the most part, come second to your first priority…That of being Mom. However, when deciding to start a home business “on the side” how many people take into account the responsibility they are taking on? Do you expect your customers to constantly be put off while you deal with life? Is this okay? After all, you are a work at HOME mom. Shouldn’t people be more understanding? Yes and No.
I was recently involved in a transaction (non-diaper related) that went sour. I chose items from a list, sent off payment, then never heard from the seller. After about 3 weeks, I started emailing the person to no avail. Finally, figuring it was a loss, I posted on the complaint board and asked my bank to do an inquiry. Lo and behold, the person emailed me back. Her reasons for not emailing me and my not having my items were endless. She was on vacation, her emails kept bouncing and she lost my address. After I expressed my displeasure at the lack of communication, she then pulled out a story about a terminally ill son who needed to be at the hospital, but since I was “so impatient” she would mail my package on the way to the hospital. My mind flashed back to all my time in Cloth Diaper Land, realizing how many stories I have heard similar to this one.
Things happen. I understand that. But holding someone’s money hostage is bound to leave a person feeling very bad about the transaction, and very negatively about your business.
So when your child gets the flu and passes it all around the family, your cat gets run over, your brakes go out in the car and your shower explodes, what’s a WAHM to do? Should your customers just be put on hold for an indefinite period of time while you work things out?
In a relatively new business structure, that of the WAHM community, some things need to be put into place about the proper etiquette when dealing with life and business at the same time.
Some things to consider:
- Learn to say “I’m sorry….” Acknowledging that you are causing someone worry or inconvenience goes a LONG way. Don’t ever turn the situation around that your customer is wrong for not being patient or being mean to you “when things are so bad.” Realize that as a business, you have a responsibility to deliver a product if you have been paid for it.
- Offer choices! If you’ve recently received a ton of orders and then have some unexpected family crisis, give your customer the option of receiving a refund or accepting a later than usual ship date.
- Don’t spend what isn’t yours. The biggest mistake you can make is treating money you have received for an item as though it’s yours, before you have delivered the product to your customer. Until the transaction is complete, you need to leave the payment where it is, to give yourself the ability to refund if necessary.
- Keep communication open… every step of the way. WAHMs and their customers are generally great people! They are understanding! Be honest, be open, but make sure not to try to gain sympathy or use a myriad of excuses. That in itself raises red flags. Simply say “Things are really crazy right now, and I have completely run out of hours in the day.”
- Close Up Shop! If you are completely railroaded with business and family responsibilities, learn when to stop taking orders! It’s very simple to close your store for a determined period of time to get caught up! It will greatly reduce your stress as you deal with what you’ve already got going on. Be sure to post a friendly message on your homepage explaining that you are only closed for a short period of time while you catch up and when you will be opening again!
Being a WAHM is a juggling act. But with some simple principles in place for your business, you can effectively run a business and deal with family issues seamlessly. Treat your business like a business, treat your customer as a valued friend and even when things get crazy, you will still come out on top!
