ARE YOU A GOOD CUSTOMER?

Americans would rather do business with White Customers rather than Black

Click to see the full article

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/05/30/3443205/black-online-sellers/

If I see another article or hear another comment on this big problem the Black community supposedly has with doing business with "Black folks', I think I will scream...

 As a small business owner, F/T since 1992, you might imagine that I have a lot to say on this subject. In my humble, but accurate opinion ( LOL) Both sides, (the Black biz owner and the Black customer) need to be more compassionate.

Point #1: Has anyone considered that Black customers are more challenging? 

Blacks often come to the table with less money and less credit, while simultaneously asking for discounts and favors. You are not considered a real Christian if you expect to be paid, nor are you seen as "down with the movement". 

On the other hand, it is customary that Whites will offer to pay MORE $$ when they want better service. In other words, Blacks ask for discounts because they have less money, while Whites offer more money, in exchange for better treatment. This is an important distinction

My challenge as a Black business owner is this: 

If I accommodate you, it results in less $$$$ and I have spent more time for those $$$. I am now operating with less reserves, which reduces my quality of service. In response,  the Black community says, "tsk, tsk" you see, I told you that you "can't do business with Black people"! In fact, some of us are so afraid to ask for money, we go out-of-business before asking for help.

Point #2: Don't panic: Blacks are not going under

Stop listening to the negative propaganda. Since when have any of us been treated so well by Whites as customers? In other words, it was not that long ago that Black CUSTOMERS were not seen as desirable, by anyone. Wasn't that what King and the Civil Rights movement was  all about?  The inequities in how Blacks were treated by everyone.....at work, in restaurants, buses and in business. So please be careful with propagating these stereotypes. Blacks are not going under and Whites will not rule the world.

Likewise, some of us are good business owners and some of YOU are lousy customers. And that's the truth!

Point #3 President Obama is a business man. 

He operates a fine tuned marketing strategy, applies superb interpersonal skills and good customer service. His pricing is right: he asks for small donations and so he receives lot’s of $10.00, 15.00 and  25.00 donations, which  generated the most lucrative fundraising campaign  in American history. Special favors from special Black interest groups resulted in people expressing disappointment. Be a good customer: Obama is a business man and his goal was to first and foremost, stay in business. And so is mine.

Written by:
Michelle Edmonds, M.A., M.Ed.
Sr, Nutritionist|Author|Co-Founder
Serenity Weight Loss and Detoxification Program
THE SERENITY CHALLENGE