It happened again. Every time it happens, I think, “I will never see one as bad as this again.” Then I do. The time goes by, and it happens again. Over the many years I have visited other grooming salons, daycare centers, and retail pet shops, I am often taken aback at that first impression…
The following story is true. The names have not been changed to protect the innocent, because it was me and this guy that came to give me a quote on doing some work at my house, and I don’t remember his name anyway. We’ll just call him “the guy.”
Last week, I attended a marketing and small business development seminar hosted by the local Chamber of Commerce. I am so used to participating in or teaching marketing and business strategy for pet-related businesses specifically, so I was curious to hear another perspective.
For the past several years, I have been invited to host and emcee the Fall Festival for my home show at the NEPGP. It has been an honor and so much fun. It has also been an eye-opener to be privy to how hard the board members of this organization work all year leading up to the show and then the show itself.
There are many ways to define “family.” Traditional definitions include parents and children and immediate relatives. More modern takes on what defines “family” include a wide array of possibilities, including blended families from remarried parents, same-sex parents with children, grandparents raising grandchildren, and so on.
One of the things I do in the wee morning hours, when sleep is unattainable, is I cruise through the webpages and Facebook pages of pet-related businesses for ideas. Although I typically start my adventure looking for inspiration, I often end up writing an article about it instead!
A customer recently came in to pick up her dog from his grooming. My assistant mentioned to her that the dog food she likes us to carry, is in. She told him, “Oh, I’m sorry. I found it online for $3.00 less, and shipping is free!” I am struck, first by the insensitivity of a customer saying this to someone who has given her unbelievable customer service…
Well, it happened. I had to fire an employee. I’ve had to do it only a few times over the last 20 years, thankfully. This firing was a little different than the prior situations, but firing someone is never pleasant.