Are all the animal people around here crazy????

[TxZen]

I started my own animal care, retail and wellness business 3 months ago. So far, so good. I have a few return clients and I am working on my growth, with a lot of ideas. I have been reaching out to local businesses, hoping to set up a type of animal board for the town. I would like to get anyone in the animal business- groomers, bakers, pet sitters, trainers, etc..organized into a group that can discuss the town needs and try to make our little town more pet friendly.

So I have started reaching out. And 3 for 3, the people who own these businesses are the most crazy, negative, un customer friendly people I have ever met. They talk about each other, trash their businesses and gossip. OI VEY!! Lawdy help me. One got into a p$$$ing contest with me for no reason other than I might take her business. She is a groomer, I do home visits- how the heck am I going to steal her business?

I have a definite vision for my own business and for the most part I can ignore a lot of drama but good gravy. Anyone have any advice? How do I overcome this? Am I THE CRAZY one???

[catherine]

Haha.. I hate to say it, but we belong to a members-only dog park and DH and I always say if there's anything worse than an overbearing parent, it's an overbearing pet lover. The people we hang out with at the park are a cast of characters. So maybe it's true that some animal lovers love animals because they hate people. Who knows?

That's NOT true for present company, I assure you, and I'm sure that's not true of you, GreenMama, and I'm also sure it's not true of the other animal lovers on this forum. But I have met a few unfriendly animal people, that's for sure.

[TxZen]

Ha thanks Catherine!!! My worry is my gosh their customer service skills suck. Maybe it's because I probably have about 10-12 years on them age wise and I just don't do drama well and heck, I am a grown up but oh my goodness. In 5 minutes with one gal, she told me all of her mental problems and how she could shoot someone if provoked. Holy cow patties!!! And this is a popular business.

[CathyA]

Oh my! GreenMama! I wish you the best of luck in your new business. Hopefully you'll find more reasonable people soon.

[awakenedsoul]

I think people have different perspectives on business. When I had my ballet and yoga studio, SO many people would come and want me to recommend them to my students. They basically wanted my client list, and to refer back and forth. I felt like I wanted to respect the privacy of my students, and let them decide what and where they wanted to study. I liked the other teachers, but many people expected me to "share" my clients. Some people are really into networking and doing that. I network as a performer, but as a teacher, I was more of an individual. I tried to offer something unique. I had a few massage therapists get really pushy about it. I had built up a nice following over the years. They seemed like they really were desperate for money and clients.

I hope you find like minded people for you board. Maybe you could try going on recommendation? That way, hopefully you will resonate with the other people.

[razz]

Sometimes when one has a new idea, it is wiser to start with a simple consciousness-raising to trigger some thought about the idea and then let it rest. People who have been doing things the same old way for a while are very resistant to change of any kind, it actually frightens them. I started up a new idea and was very isolated for quite a long time until the idea became familiar. It sounds as though this part of the work force has not done a lot of networking before.
Wishing you success!

[TxZen]

Thank y'all. Apparently I found a need to change.

I was sitting there thinking "I am here to offer you a business partnership and grow all of our businesses and you are telling me you are crazy, hate your clients and want to grow your business but don't want to work too hard." WHOHOOOOO!!! Crazy!!!

[shadowmoss]

Sounds like a good opportunity for your business to stand out as being one where the owner is actally a resonable, friendly adult. :)

[catherine]

Sounds like a good opportunity for your business to stand out as being one where the owner is actally a resonable, friendly adult. :)

+1

[TxZen]

Amen to that!!!! I brainstormed last night and came up with some great marketing ideas and what local non animal related businesses I would like to get involved.