Notes from Nikki: Remember the spotlight

As an owner of an independent garden center, you have to be aware that the choices you make in your personal life can strongly influence your business. Even when the work day is over and you’re on your way home, you still have a reputation to uphold in your community. This reputation can make or break you as a business, so it is important that you always feel like you’re in the spotlight and “on the stage.” Acting as a public figure, you want to be an ambassador of your company, spreading the word everywhere you go.

Simply put, your business is who you are. Ideas to keep in mind to keep you in a positive spotlight are:

• While participating in community activities, make it a point to be polite and courteous. It may seem like a small gesture, but holding the door open for people, allowing people to go in front of you in line and helping the elderly with groceries at the supermarket will score points – double if you have a shirt on bearing your logo.

• Don’t find yourself in circumstances where you have to be a key decision maker, such as on a community board or on a committee of sorts. You can participate, but don’t be in charge. You’ll never be able to keep everybody happy, and avoiding the friction of disagreements in these settings will keep you in a favorable light.

• Keep your social media profiles private to your potential customers and clients, or create a separate public profile. Don’t have your name in public view, especially when it comes down to getting tagged in photos. One silly moment at the Christmas party can cause you to lose respect.

• Make it a point to try and participate in any parades or military appreciation events in your community. Even if you haven’t served personally, people will respect you for respecting them.

The little things make a big difference. Protect your public persona. A little chivalry goes a long way in the business world, even outside of the work place.
 

Nikki Weed is a horticulturist and professional adventurer who uses her experiences and knowledge to manage a successful garden center in Greenville, S.C. She can be reached at pepitaweed@gmail.com.