Lessons: A little more Patience!

Many people have asked me what is the one secret ingredient that sets you apart.

Initially, I would say that it's our classic but modern floral arrangements and personable service. But lately, the more I think about this, I would say that patience is a key component.  Though I wouldn't necessarily say that I am the most patient of people but when it comes to working with my staff, my vendors and my clients, patience is key.

The definition of patience is

"The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. "

When you work in this volatile floral business where one week the flowers look great and the next week the flowers are terrible, you have to be patient with your sales rep and grower.  If you lose your cool which I've done a few times in the past, you might burn a bridge which you can never cross again.  Now that I've done a few more weddings(over 400), I'm wiser but still learning that it doesn't look good to get upset or angry.  Sometimes raising your voice has its merits but in general, tolerance and acceptance are some things you have to have if you want to stay in this business for a long period of time.

As a wedding vendor, the relationship you have with your client is a tender and fragile one.  The capacity to weather difficulty is the hallmark of a true professional.  There will be times in which a client might be overly demanding.  There definitely will be times in which communication might fail.  There might even be hurt feelings.  Seasoned pros have all experienced these emotions but those who practice patience weather these storms and come out stronger.  Throwing in the towel is no way to behave.  Getting angry or upset reflects an inability to put things into prospective.

Even if you are upset or angry, walk away and evaluate the situation.

It's frustrating being a business owner.  Your patience will be pulled until you are on tenterhooks.
Yes, there will be long hours rewriting proposals.  Definitely, you will have to prove yourself to your client and fellow vendor(over and over again)  Undoubtedly, you will have endless emails that will make you feel like you are spinning out of control.   For certain, there will be unusual requests.  Inherently, people may fail you.

Unexpected things will appear.  Delays will happen.  Troubling issues will arise.

Yes, everything you have gone through, I've probably seen something similar or heard of some unimaginable nightmare.  However, the big but is this....

As a professional, we have to accept the things we cannot control and be calm when trouble or frustration arises.  We can be upset but we don't have to show it to our staff, vendors, or clients ---- ever.

A little more Patience never hurt anyone.