The 5 love languages of a small business Owner
In psychology, a love language is the primary way an individual expresses and experiences love. In return, the other partner tends to have preferences, and they are respected by one another, and they live happily ever after.
While some people fall in love with, well, other people, I have fallen head over heels again and again for my business. It’s a love I never get bored of, and constantly feel a burning desire to do better for. She has never broken my heart (even when I feel I’ve disappointed her), and she’s even been my Sugar Daddy from time to time 🤪.
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I always think about love, and how I love the people around me. With me focusing on loving myself more, I took a moment to reflect on how I personally like to be loved- moreso as a business owner.
So whether you’re my friend, my family, a loyal customer, or a casual passerby: this post is your unofficial guide to loving a small business the right way.
If you’ve ever supported a small business and thought,
“I hope I’m doing this right?”
Congratulations, you already care wayyy more than you think.
Running a small business is kind of like being in a relationship. There’s communication, trust, boundaries, mutual respect… and occasionally crying in your car after a long day. And just like people, small businesses have love languages, too. Technically, it’s the owners, but let’s just personify my gal MMM here for a moment.
Love Language #1:
Words of Affirmation
Words of affirmations are when you tell someone things they need to hear to feel loved and reassured. AKA: Please tell me you like me (or my products) .You’d honestly be shocked how far a simple word can go sometimes for a small business.
“I love this scent!” or “I love the way you designed this candle!”
“Your booth looked so cute today!”
“I liked that reel you made, it was so funny.”
or my personal favorite (that' I’ve been learning to accept after 7 years of business):
“I’m proud of you.”
The best part is that there is so many ways to do this, too. You can leave a review after your purchase, comment on a post, DMs, reply to stories, and even just chat with me. When you leave a kind review or send a thoughtful message, you’re not just boosting my ego (although yes, that too), you’re helping my business show up on Google, Instagram, Facebook, and to future customers who need a little nudge to trust me.
Love Language #2:
Quality Time
I'n my personal life, I’m very big on quality time. I’m a busy woman, and I appreciate dedicating time to those I love and care about. Nothing makes my heart skip a beat like someone hanging out with me, even if we’re simply doing the mundane. For me, Quality time in small business form looks like:
Stopping by my booth (even if you don’t buy)
Coming to a workshop or event
Chatting with me for five minutes at a market
Joining me to get inventory or co-working
Sharing space and energy
Markets, Events, and Just… Showing Up. Sometimes the sale matters less than the presence. When you show up, it reminds me that I’m not doing this alone. That this business is part of a bigger community, not just a table, some candles, and a Square reader.
Love Language #3:
Gift Giving
(Yes, This One Is Literal)
Buying from a small business is an act of love. Full stop. Money isn’t easy to come around these days, Especially in this economy. Every time I shop, I see every price tag as “hours worked”.
Every purchase supports:
Supplies
Rent + Vendor fees
New product releases
Website costs
My paycheck for my hard work
and a just a girl with feelings.
When you gift my candles to someone else, that love multiplies. You’re saying, “I trust this brand enough to share it with someone I care about.”
That’s huge. And I never take it lightly. So for every party or workshop you have purchased, every a tiny sticker for $1 is so major to me.
Love Language #4:
Acts of Service
Acts of service are just like quality time for me. As This one’s a little nuanced, but still said with love and feelings. Acts of service can look like:
sharing my post
recommending me to a friend
watching my booth (so I can pee and grab a lil treat)
dropping off an order or picking up my coffee/lunch
Sometimes support isn’t doing more, it’s just doing the right thing at the right time. The best kind of help is thoughtful, intentional, and rooted in understanding that this business is my baby… not a group project. While some people need a village, I just need a shoulder sometimes.
Conclusion
Just remember, every small business (and person) is different when it comes to what they value in their friendships, relationships, and more. For me, it’s important to know you don’t have to do all five or that you don’t have to buy every launch. You don’t even have to comment on every single story or post.
Supporting a small business isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention. and when you have intention, You love this business in your own way (and that matters more than you know).
Running a small business is messy and magical all at once. Some days are full of wins, some days are quiet, and some days feel heavier than they should. There’s something about knowing there are people out there, even you reading this, makes days a little easier. So thank you, for loving small businesses the way you know how. And thank you, for loving mine.
💬 Let’s Talk
Are you a small business owner? Even if you’re not: Which love language do you think you use most when supporting small businesses? What’s something you didn’t realize mattered until now?
