I see a lot of posts in my various Facebook groups of beautiful items that are blatant copyright infringements. 

I know it’s hard not to make items that you know would be popular, such as Grinch items for Christmas, bath bomb with legos or Shopkins inside, Pokemon anything. However- I would highly recommend that we all make an effort to create our own unique items, to avoid the issues that can come with infringement. 

Not only can a business (no matter how small) face legal action from the rightful owners of these copyrights, but- as small business owners, we sure would be upset if someone else used or copied our work for monetary gain. 

Even etsy will contact sellers who violate copyrights, and may even shut down your account if you fail to remove those items in violation.

I have included a few links below relating to copyright, and suggest you take a moment to read them to help protect yourself, and your business. Feel free to reach out if you would like help finding and understanding information as it relates to you. 

https://www.etsy.com/ca/seller-handbook/article/intellectual-property-infringement/22398703823

http://prowsechowne.com/ways-business-can-avoid-copyright-infringement/

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-growth/copyright-issues-that-can-affect-your-business/article626825/%3fservice=amp

https://consumerist.com/2015/09/04/disney-lucasfilm-sanrio-form-legal-alliance-to-take-down-makers-of-counterfeit-marvel-star-wars-hello-kitty-cake-frosting/

Reviews can be your best friend, -or- your worst nightmare.

How many times have you gone online to look at the reviews for a product or service before you buy? What did you find, and how did it impact your decision?

Reviews can confirm feelings you already had about a company, or it can make you question if what you thought you knew was true. It can also change your mind, if you see many favourable reviews and positive replies to a company you weren’t quite sure about at first.

Many small businesses can be hesitant to reply to reviews, because they are unsure if it will make a bad situation worse. There will of course, always be situations where the customer is just a whack-a-doo and you can’t win, but the majority of situations can easily be diffused, and in some cases, the customer will even leave the interaction even happier.

Below are some tips that will help you learn how to respond, and of course, if you need help feel free to reach out to me!

I had in mind a different post to write this morning, but came in to my day job to a google review that blew my mind.

A customer was very upset about a visit he made almost 1 year ago.

While you may be shaking your head, thinking “why complain now?” it happens more often than you would imagine. I have heard countless stories (and experienced a few myself) of things like people trying to return items, or making complaints months after the original transaction occurred.

So what is a business person to do?

If you are a small business owner, especially one just starting out, it can be tempting to just give in to what the customer wants, or give them a refund to make them happy, and not get a bad review etc. DON’T DO IT! Here’s why: If you give in, it sets the bar at that level. It says you don’t respect yourself, your business, or your efforts enough to say “I’m sorry, but there is nothing I can do”. Your business is your livelihood, it’s how you make your money. Customers need to know and understand this, and if they don’t, you have every right to fire them.

There are many ways we can help you reply, or learn to reply to customers like this. Please contact us for a personalized quote for your business needs.