Giving and Taking

Today, I am struggling.  After a therapeutic venting session to my wife, she encouraged me to write a blog.  So here I am at midnight...being obedient to my wife's direction. It was a good suggestion.  Writing is a good way for me to process life; musings on how this world works, how to raise a child, or how to run a business.  I am going to focus on the later regarding running a business and hopefully learn something along the way. How do you run a giving business in a taking business world? I have the privilege of running Three Tree Coffee with an incredible team serving amazing customers and clients all for the purpose of giving back to people.  But giving gets hard when it seems like the business world only knows how to take.  Contractors taking hoards of money and giving little effort unless you constantly oversee their work.* Large suppliers raising prices exponentially as a part of their business strategy unless you pin them against their competition.  Landlords not responding unless you threaten withholding rent.  Community cliques that 'politically' reject partnership and collaboration.  Everything on one side of the counter of the coffee shop looks great, modern, hip, up and to the right!  But if I may be transparent, most things behind the scenes are much uglier than what is seen.  Running a business is incredibly difficult and as a mentor once told me, 'you can make a living in coffee, but nothing more.'  I can handle that.  I did not start this thinking it would be easy or lucrative.  But I don't know how to handle a business environment that takes when we just want to give.  Give coffee farmers good wages.  Give customers an awesome experience.  Give our staff a great work environment and motivating incomes.  Give victims of injustice hope and opportunity.  Give local humanitarian organizations funds for operation.  But the dog eat dog world of commerce forces us to bare our teeth to function when we'd rather share a smile.  How do you run a giving business in a taking business world? I know one thing that has helped: surrounding myself with people who have the same vision.  Accountability and Encouragement are two powerful weapons that if dealt and received well, in the midst of community, can produce great resolve.  I am so glad to have a team that knows why we run a business and help keep me focused on the giving, even in the midst of a taking environment.  They remind me of the customer who needed a place to mourn.  Of the farmers who are paid fairly.  Of the employees who experience community in our Three Tree Family.  Of the organizations we've gotten to support and partner with.  Of the difference we've made.  And suddenly, I don't mind being emptied through giving and taking.  *My comment about contractors is obviously a generalization.  We've worked with a few great contractors, like Tory with Ark Plumbing (check him out if you are in Statesboro!).