10/08/2026
🌸 A LITTLE REMINDER: SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ARE PEOPLE, TOO! 🌸
I don't typically make posts like this, but after an incredibly unpleasant experience in my flower shop today, I feel like something needs to be said.
A woman came into my store today looking for a specific type of greenery. She showed me a photo, and I immediately recognized it as Italian ruscus.
I explained that I did have one bunch in stock, but unfortunately, it was already spoken for and needed for homecoming orders this weekend.
Her response?
"What's with people having things and not selling it?!"
And let me tell you, the tone was anything but pleasant.
She continued making rude remarks and using profanity as she walked out of my store. I simply explained that I couldn't sell her something that was already sold and wished her a good day.
And what did I get for that interaction?
⭐ A ONE-STAR GOOGLE REVIEW.
Apparently, not having what someone wants available for purchase now qualifies as terrible customer service.
Here's what I wish more people understood about small businesses.
Just because you SEE something in a store doesn't mean it's available for purchase. As a florist, I order flowers and greenery specifically for weddings, funerals, homecomings, and other occasions. Those flowers are often already paid for or promised to another customer.
I'm not going to take flowers away from someone else's order just because another person walks through my door and demands them.
That's not being rude. That's being responsible.
And here's the bigger issue...
IT IS NOT OKAY TO TREAT SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS LIKE GARBAGE JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T GET THE ANSWER YOU WANT.
We are human beings. We work long hours, juggle countless responsibilities, deal with rising costs, and put our hearts into what we do.
In my case, I'm the owner, the floral designer, the person answering the phones, helping customers, making arrangements, and doing everything else that comes with running this business.
I genuinely LOVE what I do, and I appreciate the wonderful people who walk through my doors every day.
But owning a business does not mean I have to stand there and smile while someone speaks to me disrespectfully, curses at me, or throws a tantrum because I can't accommodate their request.
And then to turn around and leave a damaging one-star review over something like this? That's incredibly disappointing.
A Google review should reflect an actual customer experience, not simply be used to punish a business because you were told no.
Small businesses depend heavily on their reputations. We don't have corporate offices, huge marketing departments, or teams of people handling situations like this. We have our names, our hard work, and the relationships we've built within our communities.
I've worked incredibly hard to build the reputation Shearer's Florist & Gifts has today, and I take tremendous pride in the hundreds of wonderful reviews my customers have left over the years.
I'm not asking everyone to agree with me all the time. I'm not expecting every person who walks through my door to make a purchase.
I'm simply asking for basic human decency.
You can be disappointed without being disrespectful. You can leave a store empty-handed without being nasty. And you can hear the word "no" without making it your mission to hurt someone's livelihood.
To my wonderful customers who continually support me, leave kind reviews, recommend my business, and treat me with kindness, THANK YOU. ❤️ You are the reason I love coming to work every day.
And if you've had a genuinely positive experience with Shearer's Florist & Gifts and have a moment to leave an honest Google review, I would be incredibly grateful. After a day like today, a little kindness would certainly go a long way.
Please remember: Small businesses are run by real people with real feelings. Supporting small businesses also means treating the people behind them with respect.
*I have a photo and video of the interaction, as everything in my shop is recorded.*
Kindness costs absolutely nothing. 🌸
— Jessica
Shearer's Florist & Gifts 💕
