The Pitfalls of Mixing Business with Personal Sentiments.

Back in the days when my mom ran her business, she would tell me to handle the market because she knew I wouldn't sell on credit to anyone who patronised us. I was always this hard girl that most customers, especially the touts around the area would always report to my mom and plead for her to change me, but I like her, she never accepted such a request as she believed her money would be complete once I took over the shop.

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She was into foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and dry gins, imagine the number of touts — bus conductors and drivers that would troop into her shop, some would take goods on credit, promising to pay back and at the end of the day would not pay up but would come back for another credit which keeps piling up. But once I was there, no one dared to approach me on credit. I was cautious not to mix her business with my sentiment.

Every time I pass through shops, I see the inscription written either on doors or on cardboard hung at the entrance of the door that says: "No credit today, come tomorrow", and when you go back the next day, the same thing is always there which means there is no credit at all even if you come tomorrow. But no matter what, this inscription doesn't work on some people especially those who come to tease you as being their closest friends, close neighbours, families blablabla. When emotions/personal sentiments are attached, it ruins businesses. Still, some businessmen and women are trapped in their sentiments with people which makes them regret in the end when they are taken for granted by these fellows who feel they have the right to lower prices or give them goods on credit because of who they are.

I have understood the phrase, "Business is business, no family or best friends in business" since I was a young girl. Even though I never showed interest in owning a business someday except for my immediate sister, I still handled my mom's own carefully and made sure there was nothing like, "I sold this at a lesser price to mummy....., brother this, brother that took your goods on credit" and sorts of. I was so careful as I would always frown my face at anyone who even tried to utter the statement of wanting goods on credit, even before finishing the statement, I would interrupt and blatantly refuse them without going back on my words. I had some as friends with whom we laughed and played together, but I treated all as customers when it came to business.

Many customers complained and needed my mom to change me but they forgot that she was my mother and I wasn't a sales girl who could be removed anytime, I was never rude to any customer but for the fact that I take no nonsense when it comes to business made them wanted my removal. Lol.

Business is business to me. As I grew up, my mom would make sure she collected her full money from my dad once he took any item in her shop. She took away whatever emotion therein and made sure her business stood strong and devoid of families or friends trying to take advantage of that. This was why her business bloomed till she died.

When it comes to business, emotions should not get in the way, or else your business might get ruined if care is not taken. There should be a need to define your business from the start and stand your ground so that you can make more profit in the end. When families or friends show up, they should be treated like customers too and even if there would be a discount, it shouldn't be much.

When I was into the business of selling snacks and my first boyfriend would always show up, and take a snack without paying, I would angrily close my eyes, and stretch my palm as a sign for him to pay me because he never supported me for once. How could such a person be so cruel? This kind of person can ruin one's business if you don't take action on time because leaving them to continue will make them take advantage of you. It is best to define your business from the start and reject whatever you don't want before things get out of hand and you won't be able to help yourself.

I was discussing with my sister the other day, pulling some jokes that the reason I took a loan from her was because I knew even if I didn't return it, she wouldn't get mad at me because blood is blood. We both laughed at it but I immediately told her I was only joking because I wouldn't try such. Just because she is my family shouldn't make me take that for granted, but sadly, some people do that and would even tell it to your face that there is nothing you can do about it and because he or she is your blood, you let go. It is wrong!

Loaning from your family is like a business and should be returned as soon as possible. The only difference here is that there is no interest in it, so you should be grateful for that. Business and emotions may be a great combo but one needs to know how to deal with them and make sure nothing comes between them and their business for it to thrive.