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Is It Just Business Or Always Personal?

As an entrepreneur, is it ever really ‘just business’ – or is business always personal?


As an entrepreneur, is it ever really ‘just business’ – or is business always personal?

This past spring, I was ready to take my business to the next level and decided a new website was a necessary part of the process. I searched high and low for a web designer and development team to help me with my web overhaul. For any of you that have done this, you know my pain.

 

Business referrals gone rogue

A business acquaintance, which I thought highly of, referred me to the web team she works with frequently. I most often do business based on referral and quickly scheduled a meeting with the team she recommended. After our initial meeting, I felt comfortable that their web design abilities were compatible with my vision and a few days later we had a contract signed – ball rolling.

That very same ball skidded to a stop – quickly. Almost immediately, my emails were not being returned, deadlines were not being met, and when I voiced my concerns to the web team, I was met with attitude I would expect out of a snotty teenager. This aggravated me to a fever pitch, and frankly, it hurt my feelings.

In return, I responded with aggression and a threat to ‘take my toys (i.e. money) and go home.’ Boy, this wasn’t going well at all. I expressed my concerns to a good friend, also an entrepreneur, and he replied, “Get your emotions out of the way, it’s just business!” What?! But, my business is my passion and surely I can’t separate my passion from my emotions!

 

Collision course rerouted

In business, as with personal relationships, what we often do is react to an event. The event I responded to was the company’s bad attitude, and responded back to them with my own bad attitude, moving us further from the goal.

What I lost sight of, in allowing myself to respond emotionally, was the outcome that was best for my business – and ultimately for me. A better option would have been to take some space to breathe and react in a way that kept my goal – a shiny, new website – in mind.

Now, I don’t ever recommend allowing yourself to be walked over or throwing bad money after good to keep a project going, but making a calculated and controlled decision based on the outcome you desire, not the event, is just good business.

My lesson? My business is personal but my response doesn’t have to be. You’ll be happy to know that my website finally came together, and it’s fabulous!

 

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