10/11/2026
Can we have a little conversation about how people sometimes treat small business owners?
Because if you’ve ever owned a business, whether you sell handmade products, run an online shop, offer a service, or have a storefront, you’ve probably heard a few comments that made you stop and wonder if people actually think before they speak!
So, here’s a little friendly reminder of things that probably don’t need to be said to someone running their own business…..
🚫 “I could get that somewhere else for less.”
🚫 “Why are your prices so high?”
🚫 “I could probably do that myself.”
🚫 “My friend does the same thing, and she doesn’t charge that much.”
🚫 “It must be nice to work for yourself and make your own hours.”
🚫 “You should give me a discount since I know you.”
🚫 “How hard can it really be?”
🚫 “You’re charging THAT much for something that probably costs you next to nothing?”
🚫 “I saw something almost identical on Amazon.”
🚫 “You must be making a fortune with those prices!”
🚫 “Can you just throw that in for free?”
🚫 “It’s just a little side business, isn’t it?”
And let’s not forget the people who want to tell you exactly how you should be running your business, even though they’ve never owned one themselves!
Now, before anyone gets upset, let me explain something.
Small business owners understand that not everyone is going to be a customer. We know people have different budgets, different tastes, and different expectations. And that’s perfectly okay!
But here’s what I wish more people realized…….
When you look at a product or service, you’re usually only seeing the final result.
You’re not seeing everything that went into making it possible.
You’re not seeing the money invested before a single sale is made.
You’re not seeing the hours spent learning, researching, creating, marketing, answering messages, managing inventory, packaging orders, keeping records, or trying to figure out what in the world the latest social media algorithm wants from us!
You’re not seeing the late nights, the missed family time, the unexpected expenses, the mistakes we’ve had to learn from, or the days when we’ve questioned whether we’re doing anything right.
Here’s something else people don’t always understand. Just because someone owns a business doesn’t mean every dollar coming in is money going into their pocket.
There are supplies, equipment, fees, shipping expenses, advertising costs, taxes, and a whole lot of other things that have to be paid before a business owner ever sees a profit.
And that doesn’t even begin to account for the value of their time!
We’re not asking everyone to purchase from us. We’re not asking anyone to pay more than they’re comfortable spending. And we’re certainly not expecting everyone to love everything we offer.
But there’s a BIG difference between deciding something isn’t for you and making someone feel like their hard work isn’t worth anything.
You don’t have to understand someone’s pricing. You don’t have to agree with how they operate their business. You don’t even have to be interested in what they’re selling.
But you CAN choose to be respectful. ❤️
Because behind every small business is a real person who decided to take a chance on themselves. Someone who is putting in the work, taking the risks, and trying to build something they’re proud of.
And while it might look easy from the outside, I can promise you that running a small business comes with challenges most people never see.
Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference. A kind comment, a recommendation to a friend, sharing a post, leaving a positive review, or simply treating a business owner with respect can mean more than you know.
And if you don’t like something? That’s okay, too! Not every thought needs to become a spoken opinion or a comment on social media! 🤐
❤️ You don’t have to spend money with a small business to show kindness to the person behind it. Respect costs absolutely NOTHING! ❤️
And to my fellow small business owners, keep showing up, keep learning, and keep doing what you love. Not everyone is going to understand your journey, and they don’t have to.
(Picture for attention)
