04/06/2026
I have been thinking about this for a while, and was wondering if I must really do a post about a recent order I had and how disappointed I was with another small business assisting me.
Although I can do a lot of things, even if I haven't done it before, my first time trying is usually good (I'm grateful for my talent), but there are some services I cannot provide and will gladly support other small business owners because we all know the struggle out there when there are so many offering the same kind of service or product as you do.
If another SB owner asks for help, it is one of the biggest compliments they can give me. I'll go over and above to make sure the order or service is of the highest quality before I deliver it to them, I pride myself in that. What saddens me is that when I pick up an order from the other supplier and it's bad quality and they walk away proud of their poor work, I'm the one needing to make another plan out of my own pocket or have to explain to the customer. The customer trusted me.
Even, most of the times, when I see something "wrong" when I make my orders, the clients will never see the "wrong" or they don't even care when I mention it, but it'll bother me.
(I'll do a post about another product I'm redoing for a client due to me not being happy with what happened when I had to clean the final product and it stained - luckily I have time to redo it).
This post is therefore to make a few points:
- I paid more for the poor quality and the wrong cotton colours used than for the better embroidering and correct colours, thus more expensive is not always a better option
- If I had to try something new for a client with my own two hands, I usually test it first before I start working on the actual order, sometimes I can do a great job the first time around, first time luck maybe, other times I am grateful I did a test product first. If first time doesn't work, that will definitely not be the product I give to my client
- although I am big on asking for examples from suppliers before I spend the money, I have to admit that I wouldn't have had half of the orders I have had till now if I had to show examples of the same kind of work. I'm not always in a position to buy something upfront to make an example to post before I can get orders.
Also, I trust my gut in almost everything I do and it has never disappointed me when I choose a supplier (with the initial embroidery supplier, I didn't listen to my gut and I got burnt)
- I offer a remake/redo if I mess up or a client is not 100% happy (with valid reason), the second embroideror did do the same.
- and then, this is me showing that I do go the extra mile as a SB owner and for my clients, even though I don't always have an example or previous order to show, however, I'm also honest enough to admit when I can't assist as it is not about the money, but the love for what I do.
So, left is the initial order, right was the redo. I did lose a lot of money on this order, because I had to replace both the tops, as well as pay for the new embroidery again, but in the end, seeing the client super happy made up for it.
I hope this speaks more to the emosional side of owning your own business and understanding that for some it's not always about making money. It's about the love, attention and details we put into making someone smile.
Much love
X
