When I Own A Business...

As I have worked, studied and shopped over the passing years of my life, I've been putting together a list of the attributes and procedures that would exist inside my own business. There are many different things to consider, and I find that decisions must always be based on and balanced by the owner's goals. The way a company operates says more about the owner than it does about the company.

So what's my business mission? It's this:

People are more important than things,
so make every person's life enjoyable.

My customers must love being in my store, but so must my employees. The products and services provided must benefit them and give them confidence in our abilities. I must have a business that enriches the life of each person that comes through the doors. To the utmost of my abilities, I have to ensure that no one feels cheated or used. My store has to be not only an inviting place, but a place that everyone wants to be and no one wants to leave. I must treat my employees like family, and together we must treat strangers like friends and friends like family. Life isn't about getting rich. Life is about people. People are more important than things.

With all of these thoughts in mind, here are a few of the decisions I've made for when I own a business.

In General

• It will be small business destined to close its doors when I either retire or die.

• Store Hours:

Monday - Saturday: 9:00am - 9:00pm

Sunday: Closed

 We will close for major American holidays, including: Memorial Day, Independence Day (the nation's birthday), Pioneer Day (or the state's birthday), Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. We will also close early on certain holiday eves (i.e. Halloween, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve) so that employees have time to spend with their families and friends.

• Black Friday (if required): The store will only open an hour earlier and close an hour later. Sales will rotate through the store's departments/sections/services throughout the day.
• Prices: Prices will be low enough that my store drives market competition and always marked to quarter-dollar amounts. We will feature notably lower prices on local goods in order to stimulate the local and national economy and encourage local business growth in every field.
• Price Matching: We will match prices of other stores when proof of price or a coupon is presented.
• Special Member Accounts with exclusive discounts: Nope. We won't have them.
• Store Atmosphere: The store will be clean, well lit and family friendly with upbeat music that isn't too somber, too loud or obnoxious. Communication will be straight-forward and eye-to-eye. There will be good humor, jovial conversation and smiling faces.
• Return Policy: It will be simple, posted at every counter and inside the doors, and stringently observed. ("Product Quality Guaranteed.") Unopened and undamaged = returnable; unopened but damaged by customer = nonreturnable; opened and defective = returnable; opened and damaged by customer = nonreturnable; opened and operative = nonreturnable.
• Theft Policy: Zero tolerance for employees and customers.

For Employees

• Minimum Starting Wage: $15-20/hour.
• Pay Method: Electronic transfer with physical stub provided.
• Raises: Possible every 6 months based on personal performance.
• Bonuses: Given as earned, based on performance, customer reports, etc.
• Schedules: Set upon hiring, and constant from week to week.
• Insurance: Provided for both full- and part-time employees.
• Uniform: Khakis, company shirt (3 provided upon hire confirmation), apron (if business is retail based), casual shoes and good hygiene. Hair must be clean kept and not styled or dyed in extreme ways; facial hair must be clean and well kept. No more than two pairs of earrings (no extreme gauging); and no visible piercings anywhere but the ears. No visible tattoos.
• Paid Vacation: Full-time employees get 3 days to start, part-timers get one. Days will increase when appropriate and can be accumulated over time, but they cannot be cashed out.
• Paid Sick Leave: Full-time employees get 3 days to start, part-timers get two. Like vacation, more days can be assigned over time and cannot be cashed out; however, sick days cannot be accumulated over time. Special circumstances (surgeries, uncommon illnesses, and the like) will be dealt with on a personal basis. Health is important to function and happiness... and no one wants or needs sick employees around customers or products.
• Personal interviews: Every employee will have a brief private interview with me (the owner) during their scheduled hours at least once a quarter to discuss needs, employee performance, health and happiness, and any other appropriate concerns or ideas. In addition, my office door will always be open to employees and customers who feel the need to discuss something with me.

These are just a few of my basic personal business owner goals and self-appointed standards. They are, of course, much more thought out and elaborate in my notes and many other fields have been considered, but this is a good layout to describe the main functionality and ideals of myself and my business.

What do you think? What do you agree with? What would you do differently? What would your business be like? Leave your comments below.