I Gotta Say This......

The hell is up with me lately? I haven’t had a thing to write about over the last few days…..

So I guess I will write about a little experience I had on Monday of this week regarding supporting our own. Now I know this may be a topic of epic proportions here in the Blog world, but I want to give my 5..(yes, I said 5) cents on this matter.

Now I am all for supporting Black business in the neighborhood, but there are just a few things that I think Black business owners need to pay special attention to.

1. Pricing- This is at the top of my list simply because I think that it has gotten WAY outta hand in some spots that I frequent. I mean I know that the smaller neighborhood businesses may not get the same volume discounts on certain items that a larger chain may get but, c’mon!! Marking things up 3 and 4 times just to try and cover cost! Don’t you all know that is the fastest way to send us to the larger retail outlets?!?!

2. Business Hours- This is another one that ranks right up there with the pricing woes that Black business owners face. How can I put this and make it so that its not taken the wrong way……hhhmmmm, if your sign on the door clearly states that you open at 8 a.m. then that is when you need to open, not 9:15 not 11:06 not 2:30 but 8:00 dammit!! Some people have other shit to do and don’t have time to keep calling or coming by to see if your ass made it in yet. Jeezus Christ!!

3. Quality of Service- Now I could just link you guys to this post and you will see just what the hell I am talking about here. I realize that you are trying to cut costs and want to minimize your overhead cost as much as possible, but hiring ALL your family members (some of which you should probably question handling your money!) to work in the store may not be a good idea. Also hiring little Aquanetta from down the block also might not be such a smart move either. Not to say that hiring from within the neighborhood is always a bad idea, just ask for a reference or two before you hire said person.

4. Networking- Now I put this up here with the hopes that some business owner will read it and get a freakin’ clue. Now networking can be a good thing and also help your business as well. Case and point: I am in this Black owned business on Monday and am talking to the owner. I tell him that I do freelance IT work on the side and if he wanted me to, I could schedule a time with him to come in sit down and talk about what it would take to update some of his computer systems. As soon as I mentioned what my hourly rate was for doing something like that, dude immediately lost interest in what I was talking about!! I mean I can understand wanting a second, hell even a third price quote on something like that, but my fees are nominal compared to what some other folks charge as he shall soon see. I left my card and I am sure when and if he does decide to upgrade, he will be calling…*wink, wink*

5. Finally, just because you have a business in the neighborhood, that does not mean that people should automatically come to you for their purchases. I mean I am all for supporting Black business in the hood, but you have to meet us at least halfway on some things. The ones I mentioned here are only the beginning. I am gonna leave the comments section open for you guys to put anything that you feel needs to change in order for us to keep money in our own neighborhoods and stop making these retail giants even more wealthy….hhhmmm that just gave me an idea for my next post…heh, heh…..

Later ya’ll