FINDING THE RIGHT MIX; LOVE, STITCHES AND BUSINESS

Mixing love and business can be good or bad, I would say I have had my fair share of both. I always put love before business and it affected me greatly. When growing up, I was always worried and not happy whenever my mom put emotions into her business; she could end up giving out all her goods in the name of friends, and family. I never knew I wouldn't be different, well there's a saying "An apple does not fall far from the tree". I remember instances that it has led to misunderstanding when the other party is always expecting to receive gifts in the usual ways.

When I was an apprentice in a tailor shop, I was so eager to make clothes for people. Most of the time, I didn't collect money from my friends I only charged them for the materials used in sewing because they are close to me. I didn't know how to charge them for my services. I wanted to make sure I was good at sewing and I was enjoying what I was doing and how it made me proficient at my work. I wasn't considering the financial aspects of handwork maybe I didn't have responsibilities back then or I was happy to be broke. I have no idea but I never regretted it because I love seeing people wearing what I sew.

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Some friends would want to pay me for my services, else they will drop it and leave. It got to a time when I was skilled in my sewing and I decided to start adding my workmanship, I didn't even know how to go about it, because my friends were very dear to me. When I told my mom, she shouted at me, saying that; were they the ones who paid the agreement for me to learn work. So I started charging them at a discounted price. Some of them even stopped having me sew for them because I began charging them, opting for another tailor to make their clothes. What is not mine is not mine so I didn't even take it to heart and kept on doing my thing.

I would have to try harder to stop putting love before business to add more value to my business. It can't be helped sometimes, but I shouldn't overdo it because it's one of the downfall of a business. Earlier this year, I made it clear to myself that I wouldn't mix business with love I started it well, and I started charging fair prices for my work. Just recently, a church member came to make clothes and she's my mom's friend. Also, whenever her farm produces she always brings things for us, I felt indebted to her because of her good deeds so I decided to make the dress-free for her to show my appreciation for what she does for us. Though my mom does appreciate her in her ways I still wanted to do something.

After that, I told myself that the next time it would be at a discounted rate to continue what I planned for the year. Though it may require difficult conversation I need to set clear boundaries and establish a healthy balance between business and personal relationships for my business to thrive.

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