As the owner of a small business, I do more than sell rugs and flooring. I've come to see that Persian Rug Galleries is part of a network that keeps my community strong and vibrant. Because of that, I believe it's important to be involved in the community at all levels - financially, fraternally, socially, and so on. Not only does this help the community, but in the long run, it helps my business as well. As I tell my kids, something good always comes of something good.
This philosophy of involvement has led to many opportunities to address groups and organizations about the importance of community in business success. I'm eager to speak to groups that want to learn from my first-hand experience in the partnership of business and community. If you're interested in hearing about this, don't hesitate to drop me a line.
Start by setting an example
As I say when I speak to groups, a successful business must be connected to its community. And that has to start with the business owner. I need to set an example for my employees and for my family that we must be connected and give back to the community. We have to sit on boards and be involved with non-profit groups.
So I'm the vice president of the local Rotary chapter this year, and I'll be the president for 1999-2000. I was a member of the YMCA board for six years. I'm now on the board of Rivier College in Nashua, home of Persian Rug Galleries. This is what has always made "Main Street U.S.A." different from what you'll find in strip malls and plazas - the successful business owners are generally part of the community. They are the people who make the decisions for the non-profit organizations, for the people who are having problems in the community, and for everything that goes on. They're the pulse of the community, because people from stores in the malls seldom get involved in these issues. They basically aren't there to see and feel what goes on. We are.
Something good
Is this good business? Of course it is, and that's a plus. But getting involved in this way only works if it's for the right reason. I'm active with these groups and I sit on these boards because I believe in them. And yes, I hope something good comes out of that, for my community and for my business.
With so many worthy causes, how do you choose one to get involved in? Well, my Dad died of a heart attack, so the American Heart Association is dear to me, and I was past president of the Nashua chapter. The YMCA helps all the kids who need it - other than the Boys' Club and the Y there's nothing for kids. And I chose the YMCA because I thought it was wonderful for what it did for the community and for special needs and for all sorts of kids that are in trouble. I said, "This has to exist, this has to survive."
We're very fortunate to have Rivier College in town. So when I was asked to be on an advisory board, I jumped at the chance. I said, "You know, we have to give of our time to invest in something that could hurt us if we lose it." What would Nashua be like without Rivier College? It would be a terrible loss for our community. I look at the value the organization has to my community, and say I want to be a part of that. I want to have something to do with making it grow and getting better.
Work with fellow business owners
Owners of small businesses have to work with each other, too. Up and down Main Street here in Nashua, we'll sit down and talk about the problem and how to solve it or make it better. There's a wonderful linkage going on downtown where storeowners know that they can call on each other if they need something. I think there's a wonderful line of communication going on. If you were just starting up, my advice would be to make it a point of meeting every other business owner in the area you can - to stop in and borrow a cup of sugar.
I also take an interest in the general image of the business I'm in. For example, in 1994, I led the fight to pass a bill in the New Hampshire legislature to protect consumers from endless "Going Out of Business" sales, which are often a staple marketing gimmick of certain types of retailers. I did this not to make things difficult for some of my competitors who use this technique, but because I was concerned it was eroding the image of all rug dealers. As I see it, I've worked hard to build a reputation, and I'm just as legitimate as any Rolex or Cartier dealer. These efforts have paid off even in my own business - for example, the New Hampshire Chamber of Commerce selected us "1999 Retailer of the Year" for the state.
Though I'm gratified to receive recognition for my involvement in my community and my profession, I don't do it for the accolades. I do it because it's good business - for me, for my community, and for my customers.
– Sy Mahfuz
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