So I was looking around for someone that could help me make a product. I’m looking for someone that’s a little innovative, open minded, easy to work with, ect. The list goes on, I was almost certain what I wanted would be difficult to find which didn’t deter me in any way.
So I walk into this one business where I clearly didn’t fit in. In fact as I walked in the door a few heads turn, in my direction like…must have the wrong store (or that could have only been my perception). So I’m looking around and make my way to the back where I politely as a few questions. To my surprise I was greeted with VERY friendly helpful people (I’ll explain my attitude shortly). The ladies where more than willing to help, gave me numerous ideas and people to contact. Perfect! I’m on my way. Aren’t people like that wonderful to meet, too bad more people weren’t like that, I suppose if everyone was like that those great few wouldn’t stand out.
So the very next place I walk in I am greeted by a different kind of person. So I walk in the door and approach the desk. A lady is sitting behind a computer. She says can I help you. I politely say yes. She is sitting back a ways and is behind a computer so I thought the only normal thing to do is wait till she comes up to the counter. Nope, she sits there, glares at me through the top of her glasses. So I’m standing there half annoyed thinking, why wouldn’t she come over to help me? She barks something like ‘what is it’, which only fuels my fire for the little patience I have for people that don’t have any common courtesy. A number of things run through my head, I push them aside and ask if she willing to entertain or could possibly do what I’m after (no I won’t tell you what it is right now, way too excited for that). Once again I am greeted with an annoyed tone and a half yell as she’s pretty much across the room and won’t come over. She she stands up and bellows ‘I don’t even know what you’re talking about!”.
I’d like to think I’m a patient person, course some things set me off like everyone else. So before I told this delightful young lady what I thought of her business etiquette or once again plain common courtesy to give another the time of day, I thanked her for her time and walked out.
Who knows what kind of day she was having. For all I know she may have just lost her best friend, which is why I try not to judge and do whatever I can to take the high road. Regardless, this wasn’t someone I was willing to join in any kind of business partnership.
So just as easily as friendly, welcoming people excite and inspire you to move forward, these kinds of people discourage you, and make you feel like rethinking your plan in case you have to deal with others like her. I may be a different breed or a different kind of person because those kind of people push me to the next level. Sure right after I left that store I didn’t feel like knocking on any other door, but soon that feeling goes away and something more powerful in me says ‘I don’t need you, I’ll find someone better’. Which is exactly what I did.
I went to another store and found an absolute treasure! Not only is this person good at what they do, they are reasonably priced, have ideas of their own for me on how to build and on top of that they went out of their way to call me! That was the best part. I’ve done everything I can this last little bit to expand, grow and meet. I get more no thanks than anything else and rarely a call back (in which I’ll write about another time), but to have them call me, they must really care about their clients. Someone I certainly want to work with.
So with all the ‘no thanks’, or angry and whatever other kind of people I’ve recently dealt with, it was all worth it. I’ve found other great people which again I’ll talk about later, but for this post, I don’t know how that first lady runs a business, I don’t know how anyone would want to work with them or use what they have to offer.
At the end of the day I’m just as grateful for those people. They make those small treasures you find that much more worth it.