| Working for yourself and attracting customers includes | | | | told this dealer that marketing her antique shop in this |
| learning from your business mistakes. When a | | | | way would bring her more business? |
| business owner makes big errors in business and does | | | | Where did she get this marketing firm that she |
| not recognize those errors, not learning from those | | | | bragged so much about? I called the antique dealer |
| mistakes could cost the owner, his business. I had a | | | | later, inquiring on those artifacts that got so much |
| meeting with a well- respected antique dealer one | | | | attention; she said that her marketing team strongly |
| Saturday, whom I heard so much about. | | | | advised her to only use those items for seasonal |
| She sells 18th century antiques and African, Indian and | | | | displays. I was mortified. How could someone with so |
| Chinese artifacts. You name it. She told me that she | | | | much experience and talent, be led to make such |
| hired a new marketing firm and she was so excited | | | | drastic business mistakes? To resolve business |
| with the work that was done to her shop. Wow, I | | | | blunders that you have made in the past, you first |
| was getting excited! I couldn't wait to see the | | | | need to: |
| magnificent pieces that so many of my associates | | | | |
| have been talking about. A few days later I drove to | | | | 1. Focus on what you want, not where you've been. |
| her store. I couldn't believe my eyes; my mouth | | | | Admit your business mistakes and move on. Don't |
| dropped. The display window had yellow and white | | | | get stuck on the business errors you have made. |
| lights surrounding it and the name of the store was in | | | | 2. Review and discuss any problems that may come |
| green neon lights. | | | | your way. This helps to bring much needed change to |
| There was a large gorilla statue standing next to the | | | | your Company. |
| door. Did I drive to the wrong store? That's it! This is | | | | 3. Be determined to reach your goals. Don't let |
| mistake! I pulled out the antique dealer's business card | | | | setbacks un-motivate you. |
| and checked the address. Yep, this is the right place. I | | | | 4. Don't dwell on 'roadblocks' that you have no control |
| got out of my car and slowly walked to the door, | | | | over. Deal with the situations you can control. |
| making sure I didn't touch the gorilla figure. When I | | | | To grow your business by obtaining more sales, |
| walked in, instead of a REAL LIVE salesperson at the | | | | requires you to realize and learn from any business |
| front, there was a computerized dummy next to the | | | | blunders you have made. A business that does not |
| front window. A sales lady came out from one of the | | | | implement lessons learned, will have problems growing |
| corridors to greet me. I walked around and didn't see | | | | in these competitive times. Take a step now to |
| any of the artifacts that I was really looking forward to | | | | strengthen your business. |
| seeing. Did the antique dealer get rid of them? Who | | | | |