Who’s the Boss? No, I’m not asking for Tony Danza, star of the 1980′s sitcom. When I ask a small business owner “Who’s the boss?”, he or she should always answer, “Me!” (Read More)

1. suttoncreativestudios.com http://suttoncreativestudios.com/whos-boss/
September 30, 2014
Who’s the Boss?
Who’s the Boss? No, I’m not asking for Tony Danza, star of the 1980′s sitcom. When I ask a small business owner
“Who’s the boss?”, he or she should always answer, “Me!”
Unfortunately that’s not always what happens…
As a small business owner myself, I understand the importance of having clients and/or customers. These are the
people who keep the cash coming in so the bills can continue going out. The income they generate allows us to pay
our own contractors and other small business expenses. But who said that gives them 100% stake in our business?
Since when did taking on a new client give them the right to answer affirmatively
when the question, “Who’s the boss?” is asked?
I don’t know about you, however I don’t remember turning over that right.
Owning and operating a small business is labor intensive. Depending on how large your
team is, the majority of the responsibility falls on your shoulders. Even if your team is a
well-oiled machine with awesome operational systems that allow you to sit on the
sidelines and watch the money pour in, YOU, as the small business owner, are still
the boss.
Not your clients…
Not your customers…
Not the managers who may (or may not) run your business…
YOU.
So who decides the hours you work? Who decides when you’re available for client or customer phone calls?
Who’s declaring your deadlines?
Is it you? Or if not you, do you have input on any of the answers?
Yes, I am writing this article, however some days I look at my inbox and wonder, “How the hell did that happen?” I see
appointments scheduled by people who aren’t using my online scheduler and I know don’t have access to my
calendar. I see expected completion dates shared with my client’s clients for work I didn’t even know I had coming in
(and hadn’t planned for).
Suddenly I’m left feeling like an employee again, and wonder to myself, “Who’s the Boss?” I thought it was
me?!?
What do you do when you now longer feel like the boss? Here are a few suggestions for reigning the control back in:
Control the Calendar: Send a reminder to your clients that YOU ALONE control your calendar. If you have an
online scheduler like Appointy or Time Trade, make sure they have the link and let them know that with the
exception of expressed verbal consent by you, no appointments should be scheduled unless using that link.

2. Eliminate Emergencies: Hey, we all have emergencies. But if you didn’t cause them you shouldn’t be
expected to fix them rather than attend your child’s little league soccer game. Unless you have an explicit
emergency clause in your contract, let your clients know what your official operating hours are, that you may or
may not be available for emergency work for a premium.
Turn-Around Time: Did you promise to turn around all (assigned) work within 24-hours? I don’t remember
promising a 24-hour turn around for Sutton Creative Studios. Let your clients know that project work is to be
discussed, not assigned, and in that discussion you will state when you can have the project completed.
We’re not in grade school anymore, folks. Small business owners aren’t children, and shouldn’t be treated
like children either. When asked “Who’s the Boss?”, make sure you can answer with confidence – “Me!”
*****
Kim Sutton is the Managing Partner and Chief Everything Officer at Sutton
Creative Studios, an agency specializing in business consulting, Infusionsoft
consulting, social media management, graphic design and virtual assistance.
She is a graduate of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she
earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Architecture. In her free-time, Kim
cherishes the time she gets to spend with her husband, Dave (her business
partner), and three children. She also enjoys reading, knitting and writing. You
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