 Envy ruins a potential business partnership
Inspired by a hair-nista in Florida
After Dasia had painstakingly built her business-a beauty supply store-her reputation in the community had become synonymous with excellence. She knew how to grow a business and often other up-in-coming business owners came to her for advice.
Tammy, Dasia's friend since grade school, was a fabulous stylist who dreamed of owning her own shop. Over the years, she had taken various courses keeping her in the know on new styling techniques as well as business management. Tammy also had saved several thousands of dollars in preparation for owning her own salon.
Dasia had watched Tammy strive to be well prepared. So, when a salon opened up in her building, Dasia called Tammy. The shop was perfect. Tammy would not need to buy any equipment. The salon had three dryers, two washbowls and chairs, and four stylist stations and matching chairs.
In addition to helping a good friend, Dasia also saw the opportunity to build a partnership by sending business each other's way.
"I am happy to have a good salon close to my store." Dasia told Tammy. "I would be more than happy to refer business your way." As an astute businesswoman, Dasia knew Tammy's success would be good for her business, too.
"I hope you have enough supplies to keep up with my orders." Tammy said with a smile.
Almost a year later, Tammy realized that business was a little more difficult than she imagined. Even though Dasia had been helpful in securing her salon space, Tammy expected her to continue to coach her through the growing pains of running a new business. She noticed that Dasia's business continued to flourish, but her salon was barely surviving. She wondered whether Dasia was really sending referrals her way.
In subtle retaliation, Tammy began ordering supplies from another vendor. In addition, she encouraged her clients to go to another local beauty supply store.
"I thought you used to have a relationship with the owner of the supply store a few doors down," one client asked.
"I did, but when Dasia began raising her prices though her business seemed to be making more money, I had to look elsewhere," Tammy said without trying to cover up her jealousy.
A few longtime customers informed Dasia that Tammy had been sending women to another beauty supply store four miles away. Though hurt, Dasia decided not to retaliate. Instead, she dug her heels into her business. As she did so, she realized that if she expanded her business by offering a salon, she'd reach more customers. Soon, Dasia looked for a new location with both retail and salon space.
She found a spot in a prime real estate area in the heart of the city. Dasia also hired a social media specialist who helped her spread the news online about her new business. Dasia looked poised to double her business in a just a few months.
Tammy felt more threatened by Dasia's mounting success. Now, Tammy feared she would lose the little business she had to Dasia. So, Tammy started leaving gossip on Facebook and Twitter about Dasia's salon.
Fed up with Tammy's bad business behavior, Dasia's stylists begged her to fight back. "She is posting on Twitter that you have unlicensed stylists working here," one stylist revealed.
"Look, what goes around will come around," Dasia told them. "All we have to do is maintain our good business practices, and let the clients decide."
Within months, Dasia's clientele doubled partly due to the Internet exposure and partly due to customers leaving Tammy's shop. And within six months, Tammy had to close. The clients had spoken.
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