If You Want F…ing Glamour – Do Something Else
April 9, 2008
I’ve had a couple of negative comments recently, deriding the fact that I own a plumbing business and also questioning my business knowledge because of the type of businesses I’ve operated.
And I had to ask myself these questions: a) Does anyone who is ignorant enough to slate you because of the sector you operate in really know anything about business anyway? b) Do some people believe that in order to be successful in business, you have to do, or be something glamourous?
Can Any Business Really Be Glamorous Anyway?
Some businesses might seem glamorous – especially when you see pics of the owners in glossy magazines, with their multi-million dollar mansions and luxury yachts. But, before you start coveting them – ask yourself if life has always been so easy for those business owners. In the majority of cases, the answer will be no. And they’ll have been faced with just as many “what the f..k do I do now” situations as any other business owner: bankruptcy, can’t meet payroll at the end of the month, can’t pay my tax bill etc.
But Won’t It Be Better If I At Least Look The Part?
“Ridiculous yachts and private planes and big limousines won’t make people enjoy life more, and it sends out terrible messages to the people who work for them. It would be so much better if that money was spent in Africa – and it’s about getting a balance.” Richard Branson
You’ve probably heard people say fake it until you make it. But, in the early years of running a business, how do you think your staff and your customers will really feel about you, if you swan round in a chauffeur driven Bentley, have the flashest office in town and spend money as though it’s going out of fashion? The chances are, your staff may feel as though you’re exploiting them and your customers will probably think you’re ripping them off. And as Richard Branson said – all these luxury trappings won’t make you enjoy life more.
But At Least If The Business Is In A Glamorous Sector It Will Be More Profitable Right?
The strength of businesses that would be perceived as glamorous would depend on the economic climate. And anyone who thinks their business is going to be a success because they pick a glamorous sector to operate in is in for a massive shock.
The pure and simple truth is, that whatever business you go into, you have to satisfy a customer need or want. And it doesn’t take a genius to work out that in times of economic downturn it is far better to be able to satisfy a need, than a want. When the economy is unstable and people can’t afford to, or are afraid to spend money – a lot of wants tend to go out of the window. So, if you haven’t already started a business, that’s certainly something to bear in mind.
But, don’t think being in a sector that serves a customer need is enough to keep you going in when the economy is suffering. For example, we concentrate on the domestic market. A lot of our work concentrates on customer needs – eg – burst pipes etc. But some of our work concentrates on wants – eg. new bathroom suites. And the trouble is, businesses who aren’t normally our competitors, become our competitors in an economic downturn – eg. those who mainly work in the construction industry. When they’re losing work, they diversify, which gives us more competition.
In this article, Ian Denny explains how you can thrive in an economic downturn. And Barbara Swafford shares how to diversify in: How Radar Can Improve Your Business.
Why I’m Definitely Not A Glamorous Business Woman And Wouldn’t Want To Be
I’ll be first to admit that the business I run now, is far from glamorous. Nor was my last one – fire and flood restoration and carpet cleaning. But, the glamour factor isn’t important to me – achieving my goals and running an ethical business is.
And I know I’m always keen to highlight the mistakes I’ve made during the business learning process, but because they’ve helped me achieve me goals. My mistakes have helped me achieve the criteria I need to meet, to allow me to emigrate to Australia and set up in business there.
What About Getting Your Hands Dirty?
I’ll be the first to admit, I don’t really get my hands dirty. I run a plumbing business, but I’m not a plumber. My last business was a fire and flood restoration business and although I did do some technical work when we had a claims surge – I spent the rest of my time running the business.
But, many people do have to do the technical work of the business before employing someone else. In fact, some people would prefer to do the technical work and avoid the hassle of employing anyone altogether. And if you fall into those categories – don’t feel bad. Remember, there is no right way or wrong way to run a business. Do whatever makes you happy and gives you the lifestyle that you want.
Comments
20 Responses to “If You Want F…ing Glamour – Do Something Else”
-
Successful And Outstanding Blogger
I wouldn’t like to live in a world without plumbing businesses, people who run them, and plumbers themselves. I don’t think it’s glamorous, but I see it as something extremely valuable and useful to society. Also as something that’s comparatively recession proof. You’re in a very smart place.
Gosh I don’t understand why some people have to spread negativity and disrespect in the world – isn’t there enough of it out there already?
Business is business – and certainly respect a plumbing business! That type of business is a rental property owner’s “best friend.” I also loved our heating & cooling people! Anyway… don’t let those comments distract you – you have a lot of valuable information that the personal finance blogosphere is blessed to receive!!!
You totally inspired me these past few months & that is why I have been away from my computer more than before – busy with my business goals. And as far as getting your hands dirty – I personally love getting my hands dirty and have in my past business experiences… my daycare/preschool & rental properties. Anyway – I totally appreciate you Catherine… and thanks for what you do!
dawn’s last blog post..Not Sure About Ebay Anymore…
(it was suppose to say:
… and “I” certainly respect …
dawn’s last blog post..Not Sure About Ebay Anymore…
WOW Catherine,
No truer words spoken.
We have an excavation business, and aren’t at all ashamed to call ourselves ditch diggers, dirt movers, or whatever. But……we are the best darn ditch diggers for miles around. We pride ourselves on our work, treat our customers fairly, pay our employees a decent wage, and can look at ourselves in the mirror every morning.
When you follow your passion, it doesn’t matter what you do….if you love doing it, you’ll end up being one of the best….and often the money will follow.
Although some are born with silver spoons, like you said, many others have worked their butts off to get what they have, thus, they deserve it.
Who really cares what the Joneses have?
Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..Social Networking Can Kill Your Passion
Hi Mrs M – thanks. It’s definitely a service that’s needed and I’m glad that people appreciate it.
Thank you Dawn. I’m glad I’ve helped and I’m pleased that my advice has been a help. I read your blog often and I know you’re capable of achieving great things.
Hi Barbara – I had to post this, because I think it’s tough enough for anyone starting a business, without them thinking they have to invent something new and unusual.
I think you hit the nail on the head. It’s only those who do care what the Joneses have that make such ridiculous statements about particular types of business.
I would never, ever, ever, use a plumbing business of any kind — until I’ve too old and out of shape to do it myself!
I also wouldn’t want to try to operate a plumbing business. That’s too much like work!
Mike Goad’s last blog post..Flash, bang, boom? here we go again!
Catherine,
How inconsiderate of me…
Thank you for linking to the guest post I did on your blog.
Shame on me.
Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..Social Networking Can Kill Your Passion
Mr. Honda (yes, the founder of Honda) was famous for being a hand-on leader. His factory started as a small dusty repair shop, and he literary worked with engineers. According to news articles I read, his hand had several permanent scars from the accidents he had in the shop.
Hard to imagine when you think about global enterprise that Honda is today, isn’t it?
I guess we have the tendency to look only what meets the eye on the surface.
Akemi – Yes to Me’s last blog post..Can Gallup’s StrengthFinder Test Really Discover My Strengths?
Hi Mike – I guessed you would be more of a DIY’er. And I think I would struggle to do your job too. I’d probably cause a nucleur disaster.
No worries Barbara – Thank you for writing it for me!
Hi Akemi – That’s interesting. I had no idea he started out that way. Honda was an inspirational guy. I like this quote of his: “The value of life can be measured by how many times your soul has been deeply stirred.”
Cath,
I wouldn’t worry about the weirdos that become rude and ignorantly judgemental with the bravery a keyboard and relative anonymity gives them.
Running a business is not that glamorous at all. I’d call it very hard work. I can see that it has its rewards, but it is certainly no walk in the park.
Who cares about glamour? I don’t IT is, but sometimes people are impressed that you work in this industry. The reality is not at all glamorous.
Thanks for linking into that post. I enjoyed writing that one, mainly because I really love going against the flow, and a recession is the best time to do that!
I was discussing that with my business partner Steve the other day – we both agreed that it would be even more fun to make a success of what we’re doing in a recession!
And we’re beginning to see a few shoots spring from the ground. We’ve been spreading seeds rather than hunting with a shot-gun.
Ian Denny’s last blog post..How Awful Is My First Attempt At An E-Book? Tell Me The Brutal Truth
Um… one of the reasons I subscribed to your RSS is that I could tell from reading the first post that you are NOT a “business owner poser”.
Personally, I am SICK of reading BUSINESS blogs written by people who obviously don’t know ANYTHING about BUSINESS!!!
Glamour is just another word for worrying what other people think.
I once knew a man in Indiana who ran the baseball little league program in the town in which we lived. He drove a 30 year old green pick up truck and wore t-shirts and jeans every day. I was SHOCKED to learn that he had amassed a small fortune during the half a century in which he operated his “little” plumbing business.
His name was Pete… and he definitely wasn’t into glamour. That’s what I wanna be like when I grow up!
Kathy’s last blog post..Shining Example: Monk at Work
If anything, I would think the “glamorous” businesses generally have the most competition, and therefore the lowest odds of success.
Hunter Nuttall’s last blog post..Synchronicities: Just Coincidence, Or Signs From The Universe?
Hi Kathy – thanks. I get tired of those types of blogs too. They pass on too much info without knowing if it works.
I love hearing stories about people like that plumbing guy. Most of the people I know who are well off don’t “look rich.”
Hi Hunter – that can be true too – especially if it’s some new fad or craze. And some “glamorous businesses” can also be dangerous. I was reading about a female russian bodyguard who lost her life through trying to prevent someone from stealing her client’s flash car. How awful to lose your life protecting material things.
Wow, I didn’t know that quote, but it’s good!
Mr. Soichiro Honda is still well respected in Japan — he is legendary. One of the greatest thing he did was NOT to let his son inherit the business. He said something to the effect of “I love my son, but he is not the kind of person who should lead the company of tens of thousands of workers and their families.” and chose someone unrelated.
The son got a small group company. Years later, after his father’s death, he was accused of accepting bribery — Mr. Honda had an eye for the people, I guess.
Akemi – Yes to Me’s last blog post..12 Great Articles On Life Purpose
Hi Akemi – thanks. I wonder if he has a biography?
Cath, I’m with you 1000%.
In my career I have worked in ever glamorous industries like: energy, veterinary, construction (actually there’s a huge perv factor in this biz so any hot blooded women would love it!) and an oh so sexy insurance company. And what I have found is anything can be interesting, it all depends on what attitude you bring to work and how much you like being challenged and learning new things.
I have also worked in the so-called glamorous industries of advertising, fashion and consulting and really it’s still just business and sitting in cubicles, and dealing with warehouses or assholes. Worse, the hours can be ridiculous. What’s sexy about trying to finish an ad campaign at 11pm all because you’re working on too-tight deadlines and half the office is a cokehead. So much fun!
Even the apparent perks like posh business functions and mixing with “beautiful people” are just another way of saying you’ll never be at home, your relationships will suffer from neglect, you’ll end up with a drug habit of your own and yeah, you’ll spend all your time with big fat phonies.
Give me plumbing anyday.
Kelly
Kelly@SHE-POWER’s last blog post..How I Lost 9kg and Still Ate Chocolate Cake (3)
Cath;
I agree completely. Those who set out to start a business in a well established realm will have a LOT more success than those who try to reinvent the wheel, for the most part.
Scott
Scott Sweeney’s last blog post..Stop Being Boastful and Show Results
Glamor seems to be an expression of power, a veneer hiding aggression and opportunism, dressed as class. Clean lines and dozens of columns, a visual anorexia doting on hidden sexuality spreads its preferences to the masses, who long to live on that isolated boat, “in style.”
Your new imagination for the real source of power now includes a look upon those who are employed by the Glam Crowd. Rather than remaining focussed on “I’d like to live like that,” we have an opening to something beyond the Dream of Being Queen and King. There are people and dreams, and other things in life beyond the militaristic acquisitions of billionaires.
The working folk employed by the billionaire must possibly punch some kind of clock, are a select few, and are probably hired based on high intelligence and education. Usually, in the dream or the movie or the blog post–expressions of imagination, all–ignores these people. It takes our interest, our desire to focus on these people.
And now a new demand is placed on the imagination, one employed for the betterment of others. (wow)
Imagination can be useful to the cause of Humanity so I was delighted to read the imagination of a business owner who could go to the heart of Glamor with the sword of St. George.
Imagination is what causes us to bring up the subject of who works for The Glam Man. Imagination asks, “What do these folks think? Are they admiring TGM?”
This is a a Greek Chorus, and it gains traction through repetition. What does a world of sleek lines and expense accounts seek but self-indulgence and the show of raw power? The money funnels are exposed. Their one-way and upwardly sucking direction has historically led to a greater income for and increased decadence by Glams, who purchase their expensive toys without a thought for those who work for them, or those with whom they associate. In consciousness, it is us whom they disdain in this imagining.
Taken pictorially, such sleek lines and all-white brilliance is usually assigned to the symbol of the Sun. The radiation of light moves in distinct straight lines, and the effect of the Sun’s rays cause our eyes to be humbled in front of it. (We must cover our eyes). So The Sun is also a symbol of Leadership and Power–but it implies a relationship: Someone must look upon it for their to be power in the first place.
That someone contrasts the Sun. Taken symbolically again, it would be the Moon who was taken as a “lesser light,” obviously as compared to The Mighty Sun.
Glam Man is Solar, but the people who must work for him, are the Lunar, a metaphor as satellite which orbits the greater illumination.
The imagination to hone and encourage therefore is that of these employees (“the inconstant moon”). Charles Dickens wrote about Solar People and the disdain for “the less fortunate.” In all these hierarchies, the fact of superiority must have answer and relationship with these less fortunate, starting with their employees.
A new factor enters however when you say these employees may
lack for something to admire in their Solar Figure. It is imagination which suggests they would do much more and be much more as individuals, if only they could admire their own boss.
We need more of this imagination.
But like the last emperor’s of Rome who performed in theatrical pomp, and posed instead of lead, counted money instead of tending to matters of state, caused the people suffer from neglect. Too much sun has an unholy regard for human flesh.
Too sleek, too expensive causes a reaction in others. There is a relationship. The Power of Empire doesn’t flourish in a vacuum. It must answer to a wider imagination. I thank you for yours.
cf
Hi Kelly – I’ve never worked in a glamorous industry before. And reading about the world you describe makes me glad I haven’t. I used to think it would be cool working for a glossy magazine, until I watched The Devil Wears Prada.
Hi Scott – it’s far easier to compete in an existing market isn’t it – if you have your own USP. I think that’s where many people become overwhelmed when they’re considering starting a business – they think they have to invent something completely new and different.
Hi Claire – Thank you. This sounds interesting. I will have to read up more on the Solar People. But, the world would definitely be more interesting if we all used our imaginations to its full potential.
[...] Anywired: Skellie takes web working advice and puts it right up there for all to see. It seems to be more focused on how other people use the web to work, but I like anything Skellie writes (thought I don’t always agree.) Check out this post on How to Be Your Own Boss. [...]