‘Walk a Mile in their Shoes’
Before the electronic age, goods and services might be paid for through barter, cash, gold, and, in more modern times, a paper check. Although we are now in a digital age of electronic payments, there are several reasons why a small business may only accept cash or check.
Recently, my business has experienced several situations of nonpayment for services rendered on a timely basis. And, interestingly enough, it has ONLY been from larger organizations and/or employees of said organizations. It has not been from other small businesses or solo entrepreneurs. I suspect my firm’s experience is an example of a wider situation. And, certainly there is no malice intended, just a lack of understanding of how difficult it is for small, micro or solo entrepreneur businesses to be paid.
if you work for a larger organization, you likely receive a paycheck or direct deposit every two (2) weeks. This is the way of payment for labor in the twenty first century. So, how do we include small business owners in this culturally accepted time and form of payment? My own opinion is to just keep the dialogue going, like this current Blog. It really cannot be discussed enough.
A small business cannot accept Zelle, free of charge, like an individual. Zelle is set up for individual to individual transfers. So, do not think you can just send a Zelle to a business owner without a pain point to the owner. The same goes for services like PayPal. Electronic payments for business goods or services charge the owner. Please keep this in mind when you pay your next small business owner.
Conventional retail stores usually accept credit cards for payment. Again, another culturally determined way of doing business. But if you are dealing with a services provider, they may not accept card payments. The fees can be as high as the 4.5% range or even higher. In a nonretail setting, this is why your services provider likely does not accept card payments.
I often pay via business check to any and all of my small business vendors. Lease payments, branding payments, legal payments, all of these can be paid via check with no ‘penalty fee’. And I cannot Zelle them - there is a reason why we are all set up as PLLCs or LLCs. Respect the corporate veil and understand how best to support your small business provider. It will be immensely appreciated!
if you do not need to chase down people for your labor payments, should not the small business owner have the same courtesy extended to them? If you answer this question with anything but a yes, likely you should not be working with small business owners.
Be courteous, pay on time, and follow their instructions for payment. Walk a mile in their shoes…
Be Well.
