Amazing Mothers Day Business Lessons

"A little more effort on the part of everybody to make the

times better, and better times will surely come along."

- John Wanamaker

The history of Mothers Day contains some amazing business lessons.  As you prepare to honor your Mother this year, take a minute to learn about the business practices of the man most responsible for the upcoming holiday tradition.  If we ALL began running our own businesses this way, we could change the world - And Make Our Mothers So Proud!

John Wanamaker is considered the father of modern advertising.  In 1861, at age 22, he started a men's clothing store with his brother-in-law in Philadelphia.  The business grew quickly and they soon opened the world's first "Department Store" and expanded to several cities.

Wanamaker pioneered many forms of Advertising and Promotions (you may have heard of one of his inventions: the annual "White Sale"), and used elaborate Events to draw customers.  He installed a mega-huge pipe organ (Shown in Photo here, ready for Christmas) in his department store and would host free musical concerts and shows featuring the top artists of the day - right in his store.  (Is this a lesson for how to get your listings noticed?)

What's he have to do with Mothers Day?  When Anna Jarvis wanted to start a national holiday to honor Mothers as a tribute to her own mother, it took several years of lobbying and promotion and lots of money to make it happen.  Early on, Wanamaker got behind Jarvis' efforts and provided the needed funding.  Anna Jarvis is credited with starting the holiday but it simply would not have happened without Wanamaker's generous support.

Could Wanamaker's ideas help you become a better business person, employee, or even mother?  Here are some of his famous quotes and ideas.  Slow down, read these through carefully.  Consider how they can be applied to your own business practices.  And use the encouragements and concepts to inspire those around you.

How to treat a customer:  (Do you do this with EVERY customer?)

• "When a customer enters my store, forget me.  He is king."
• "Courtesy is the one coin you can never have too much of or be stingy with."

How to advertise: (These are AMAZING!)

• "Any seeming deception in a statement is costly, not only in the expense of the advertising but in the detrimental effect produced upon the customer, who believes she has been misled."
• "Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is, I don't know which half."
• "In writing advertising it must always be kept in mind that the customer often knows more about the goods than the advertising writers because they have had experience in buying them."

Being in business for yourself: (So TRUE!) 

• "Do the next thing."
• "It's easy to work for somebody else; all you have to do is show up."
• "It is not extraordinary circumstances or rich friends or large capital that create the golden opportunities of life.  It is something in the person that thinks and gets an idea, and seizes the first possible moment to do what he can towards developing it."

How to work your business: (Yes, this stuff really works!) 

• "Keep up the old standards, and day by day raise them higher."
• "One may walk over the highest mountain one step at a time."
• "Nothing comes merely by thinking about it."

Maintaining balance:  (These are so hard to remember!) 

• "People who cannot find time for recreation are obliged sooner or later to find time for illness."
• "Many persons have an idea that one cannot be in business and lead an upright life, whereas the truth is that no one succeeds in business to any great extent who misleads or misrepresents."

Surviving tough times:  (Will you join me in this?) 

• "A little more effort on the part of everybody to make the times better, and better times will surely come along."

Wishing all mothers a very happy Mothers Day and encouraging all sons and daughters

to do something special this Sunday for, or in tribute of, your mother.

 Photo by: My aim is true