In the world of entrepreneurship, small business owners dedicate themselves to mastering their craft and building businesses that bring value to others. This journey is both a calling and a career for many, especially those who work in coaching, creative industries, or consulting.
Yet, an unfortunate trend often appears when friends or acquaintances approach these professionals for services: a resistance to paying the same rates expected of anyone else.
The Value of Paying for Services from Those You Know
When you hire a professional for coaching, design, consulting, or any other service, payment is more than just a transaction. It’s an acknowledgment of their expertise, time, and dedication.
Professionals don’t charge arbitrarily; their rates reflect years of experience, investment in their skills, and the quality of service they deliver. By paying their rate, you are validating their hard work and respecting the value they bring.
Why Asking for Discounts Can Strain Relationships
When friends or colleagues ask for discounts, it can unintentionally send a few messages:
1. Questioning Their Value: It may signal that you see them as “less than” other professionals providing similar services.
2. Straining the Personal Relationship: Money can quickly complicate relationships, especially if there’s a sense of imbalance or undervaluing the other person’s work.
3. Forcing Uncomfortable Conversations: When a friend has to explain or defend their rates, it places them in a challenging position that can create unnecessary discomfort.
The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that financial stress remains a significant source of anxiety for adults, especially those whose incomes rely on consistent payments for services rendered.
It’s one thing if a friend or professional offers you a discount—many business owners do so at their discretion. But it’s something completely different when you expect it or, even worse, ask for it outright, as if entitled to a “friends and family” rate.
This expectation can undermine the business and the relationship, as it overlooks the reality that small businesses rely on each client’s support to stay afloat.
When you patronize a friend’s business, part of that support is honoring their rates. Think of it this way: Doesn’t it make more sense to offer them more, recognizing that they, too, have expenses to cover and businesses to sustain?
A Few Practical Tips from Coach Quack: Navigating Expectations Professionally and Respectfully
For business owners:
1. Set Clear Boundaries from the Start: Clearly communicate your rates upfront and reinforce that your rates reflect the value of your work.
2. Create a Policy on Discounts: If you offer discounts for specific clients, make it policy-driven, not personal, to avoid misunderstandings.
3. Stand Firm in Your Value: Remember that your rates reflect your experience, talent, and the high level of service you provide.
For clients and friends:
1. Respect the Rates Provided: Acknowledge that small businesses have expenses like any other. Expecting discounts simply because of a personal connection can undermine the integrity of their business.
2. Avoid Placing Them in the Position to Ask for Payment: After service is rendered, payment should be immediate and seamless, never requiring the professional to follow up.
3. Remember Every Dollar Counts: Small businesses, unlike larger corporations, often operate with thin margins. Every cent goes toward sustaining the business and supporting their families.
Small business owners are often asked to justify their prices, especially in service-driven fields. However, their income depends on each client’s respect for their rates. Friendships should support an entrepreneur’s work, not strain it. After all, honoring the professional values of your friends shows proper respect for the dedication and effort they put into their careers.
So, the next time you reach out to a friend for their services, make sure you’re all in with your support, right up to and including their full rate. After all, what better way to say, “I believe in you”?
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Quackenbush Coaching LLC 