*Originally published in Idaho Falls Magazine
As an immigrant’s daughter, I spent a large portion of my childhood in poverty. While I didn’t realize it at the time, many of my core beliefs were based on a scarcity mindset. I had a limited worldview that reared its ugly face in many ways throughout my developing years.
Unfortunately, when starting my own business, I allowed the lens through which I perceived the world to cloud my vision. It made me what I have since learned is one of my least favorite traits: competitive.
As I have developed as a woman, mother and business owner, I have learned that a scarcity mindset doesn’t serve me in any way. There is truly enough to go around! Enough happiness, enough money, enough time. As business owners, we often get so caught up in competition that we are limiting our friendships and our potential. Don’t get
me wrong, we all have a bottom line to upkeep and our businesses are feeding our families in many cases, but I truly believe there’s enough pizza pie for everyone.
Several months ago, I attended a luncheon with Entrepreneurs of Idaho, a Facebook group founded by Mike Infanger. I was nervous to attend and as realtor after realtor introduced him/herself, I found myself awkwardly looking around the room to see the reactions. Guess what? There weren’t any! I was so excited to finally see a group of professionals truly engaging as humans first and business people second.
Oftentimes, I think we see the product/service/brand before we see the person behind it. We see Vulpine Marketing, but not Ryan Joos whose personality lights up a room. We see HomeSmart Premier Realty and not the generosity and passion of Elias Trejo. We see Grandpa’s Southern BBQ, but don’t see Lloyd and Miss Loretta’s history and smiling faces! If any of these people were to ask for the shirt off my back, I wouldn’t hesitate to give it, but if they were able to better serve one of my clients, would I give them the referral? Would I be willing to “lose” a sale if it meant handing it off to someone better suited? The answer for me now is a resounding, “Duh! Of course!”
One of my absolute favorite business books is The Go-Giver by Bob Berg and John David Mann. If you’ve ever been around me when book recommendations are requested, you know this is my top pick! In it, the authors tell a story of different characters in business. Each one is open to sharing and connecting other professionals with no hesitation. Throughout the book, many out-of-the-box ideas are shared as they realize the abundant potential of giving rather than being selfish.
Imagine a business climate in which we could do this! Imagine if you were shopping for an item and the store that was out of stock easily pointed you in the direction of another store with the item. Imagine if an insurance agent couldn’t match your needs within your budget and pulled out a “competitor’s” business card because they may be able to help. Imagine a mechanic telling you she can’t have your car ready by your requested deadline, but to try XYZ garage instead. How much would that increase your trust in that business? How much more convenient would your life as a consumer be? How likely would you be to refer your friends/family to that trustworthy business or to return yourself?
I know this is a far-fetched idea. I know many business owners are even wondering how the heck I’m keeping my business alive if I’m willingly sending clients to others that can do it for less or do it better. I am doing this. Regularly.What type of results have I seen? Other businesses are reaching out to ME with their clients’ needs. The same clients I have referred out have returned time after time when our needs/services are better aligned. What this does for me and for my business is that I am able to streamline my clients to a list of people and businesses I can’t wait to work with every day, and I am excited to hear from my peers how successful they are
being with the clients I sent their way! I am confident that my business will continue to grow and that we will be a trusted source of information, but we will be seen as people first and foremost.
I challenge you to shift your mindset just a tiny bit and remember why you went into business in the first place. If one of your motivators is to help people, remember that all businesses have real life human beings at their helm. We are all hoping to be successful and many of us are rooting each other on! Will you eat some pie with us?
