Entreprenuer’s Secrets: Thou Shall Not Kill

Recently I ordered a logo design from another small business owner and the process didn’t go well . Actually it went less than well. The experience was horrible! Not only did the business owner keep me waiting for my logo for over 3 months with tons of excuses, but their finished product of a logo was for the WRONG company!

I cringe when I think of my logo purchase because I knew the small business owner personally which made my experience somewhat awkward when my order wasn’t completed in a timely manner. Secondly, I had already paid the company for my logo so not having a logo added unnecessary stress.

I patiently waited for my logo going on close to four months and the night of the great reveal I started to get a ugly gut feeling. You know the feeling that lets you know that you’ve made a bad decision. After seeing the logo and the incorrect order the only thing that I could say was, “I am sad”. It was the truth, I can’t really think of any words that describes the way I felt.

It was clear that my order or my business wasn’t taken serious.

I honestly feel that once money exchanged hands all of their business ethics went out the window. This cliché has been said millions of times but it still hold true for this incident-”it’s not about money it’s about principle.”

Well here’s where my title of this blog starts to make sense…

Exodus 20:13 of the Bible reads, “thou shall not kill”

My issue with my logo and the business owner  wasn’t so much about the business owner not being able to deliver what I needed. It was the point that the company failed to apologize and attempt to fix the issue. Instead the business owner opted to KILL my spirit about why I requested the logo. They in turn spoke negatively about my business, my business practices and to sum it up stated I was and have wasted a lot of time with the way I’m attempting to grow my business. I’m a outgoing business owner and I believe in constructive criticism, however in this situation any tips or helpful business hints should have came prior to my request or payment was made.

The words the business owner spoke could have killed my joy and everything I that I love about my business, but I stayed strong and positive and in the end I  requested that the business keep the money I paid because the same way I strongly believe “thou shall not kill” ——–>I also believe “thou shall NOT steal.” Ultimately, in life you get what you plant. If you don’t plant anything positive you will reap a big bucket of nothing.

Here’s a lesson to all businesses, both large and small: Always attempt to do what’s right by your customers. In saying that, it’s obvious that you won’t be able to please every customer, but some customers will appreciate your efforts in trying.