Ethics and such

I'm kind of passionate when it comes to business ethics.  I have a tendency to be a bit over-zealous, to some extent.  While I am all about the understanding that business is business, I do believe that there are certain approaches and standards that make a business TRULY about the consumer and not about being a jerk.  I stand by the viewpoint that it is perfectly fine if you're a douchebag in your business but be honest about it.  Be up front that you're a douchebag and it'll all even out.  Sometimes that's what people want...no nonsense.  Here are some of my business do's and don'ts (and no, I'm not an expert, just a mama with an opinion).

Loyalty  I think this is one of my BIGGEST pet peeves.  Don't jump ship to save 3% of what you're spending if a business has loyally been good to you.  I'm sorry but you get what you pay for and if you jump ship to save $5, you're likely going to end up unhappy and guess what....that corporation you switched to isn't going to care about your happiness.  They care about money.  If someone you've religiously used for charity events for their services gives you a fair price on something, TAKE IT!  Don't jump ship to get it free or lower priced elsewhere because guess what...you're going to end up unhappy and it's not gonna matter to the new person whether or not you're unhappy.  There are a lot of people that want to suck at the corporate teat and the fact is that loyalty goes a long way both to the customers (giving them a fair price and a great service/product) and to the business person.

Profits...Don't be selfish  Yes, you might be able to sell that outfit you made for $50 but unless you spent a ridiculous amount making it, you shouldn't be marking up the prices ridiculously just because you can.  I hear it said constantly with photography that you need to figure in the time it takes to edit which is DEFINITELY true.  With that being said, there are a whole lot of selfish photographers out there that just want to make more than it's worth.  I'm a big believer when it comes to family photography that you are creating people's memories and they have the right to own them at reasonable prices.  I can't STAND jerks that overcharge for products and services.

Honesty Don't make all your ideas into tiny print.  Be up front.  If you're building tables and someone orders a custom order oak table and another orders custom order cedar, there will obviously be a price difference in material.  Don't put it in the tiny print that everyone pays the same amount just because.  Don't tell them that they can have the table at a certain price but only if they buy four chairs at regular price.  Don't mark up your prices just to have a sale so they LOOK lower!  Honesty goes a long way and people know when they're being messed with.

and finally....

Recommendations As a consumer, the best thing you can do, particularly for small businesses and individuals, is to recommend them so that they can get more customers.  True honest business people will see it as a reason to give you an even better deal next time.  They will also see it as a way to keep their prices down.  I'd much rather do 50 $75-sessions than 3 $150-sessions. 

In short, this concept is simple, don't be a douche!