We are so excited to introduce Episode 027 of With Grace and Gold: The Podcast — How Being Empathetic Can Make You a Better Business Owner — a business education podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. With Grace and Gold: The Podcast features 5-minute episodes with clear, actionable steps to guide you toward successful small business ownership. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Anchor, Spotify, or elsewhere!

When was the last time you put yourself in someone else’s shoes? The last time you really sat down to learn about someone else’s thoughts, experiences, or feelings on a deeper level?

Empathy is defined as “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.” Maybe being empathetic comes naturally to you — or maybe you need an occasional reminder to put yourself in the shoes of someone else. But all in all, being empathetic can help make the world a better place; it can help us to understand one another better and to lift one another up in intentional and thoughtful ways.

In today’s episode, we want to focus on being empathetic toward our customers and clients. Business coaches and researchers alike have agreed that being empathetic can make you a better business owner. But why — and how?

Today, we’re sharing 3 unique ways that being empathetic can make you a better business owner. 

How Being Empathetic Can Make You a Better Business Owner

Today’s episode is brought to you by Sourced Co. For small business owners, finding great-quality, elevated, and diverse stock photography and videography can be a challenge. We’ve personally subscribed to Sourced Co. to source our stock photography and videography — for photos and videos to use in our website templates, in our social media marketing, and more. A new collection of elevated, unique, and professional stock photography is released monthly. Visit sourcedco.com to learn more — and use code WITHGRACEANDGOLD for 15% off the first 3 months of a subscription and 15% off any purchases in the shop. That’s sourcedco.com! 

According to an article from Entrepreneur.com, “Our ability to see the world from the perspective of others is one of the most crucial tools in our business toolbox.” Today, we’re sharing 3 unique ways that being empathetic can make you a better business owner:

1. First, when you have empathy for your customers and clients, you can put yourself in their shoes… you can understand what problems they’re facing, what solutions they’re seeking, and what they value in the solutions they’re seeking. You can speak with more accuracy, thoughtfulness, and care about the solution your business provides — which, in turn, will help you to connect with the customers and clients who are seeking exactly what you have to offer. If you’ve worked on copywriting for your business, or if you’ve managed social media profiles on behalf of your business, you know it’s important to understand the “pain point” your customers and clients are experiencing. When you know what problems your customers and clients are facing, you can speak about the solution your business provides in a well-rounded way. Summed up, having empathy for your customers and clients helps you understand their pain points and more thoughtfully ensure you can provide a solution to the problems they are facing. 
2. Next, when you have empathy for your customers and clients, you can put yourself in the shoes of someone who is unfamiliar with the products or services you offer. As small business owners, we are immersed in the work we do. Chances are, there are tasks within your business you probably dream about, or feel you could do in your sleep — you know them so well. But the truth is, our customers and clients are probably brand new to the products and services we offer… and that’s why they’ve chosen our business to help. It’s our job as business owners to put ourselves in the shoes of our customers and clients, and create a process our clients will understand, be engaged in, and appreciate. At With Grace and Gold,  for example, we use professional communication, a comprehensive Client Experience Guide, video and written resources, and more to ensure our clients feel supported, educated, and engaged every step of the way. What could this look like for your business? How can you create a well-rounded, personal, engaging experience for your customers and clients? How can you bring your customers and clients from where they are today, to where they should be as a result of working with you?
3. Lastly, when you have empathy for your customers and clients, you can see the larger role your business can play in the world. Your creativity can be so much more than creativity, your business can be so much more than a business. Instead, your creativity can be a way you serve people and equip them for success. If you’re a brand and web designer, your creativity equips fellow business owners for business success. If you’re a photographer, your creativity helps to create heirlooms for couples and families. If you’re a coach, your creativity helps people to enhance their lives and create a legacy they feel proud of.  The work you do matters — and when you know how much your work matters, you run your business differently. You speak about your products and services differently. Service is at the heart of what you do.
   

We are so hopeful today’s episode was one to inspire you and equip you to approach your customers, clients, and business in a new way. It is never too late to be empathetic, so we hope you feel encouraged to serve your customers and clients with compassion and with service at the heart of all you do. When you do, you can change the world. 

Since 2014, With Grace and Gold has provided brand and web design for creative small business owners. Hire With Grace and Gold or shop With Grace and Gold’s pre-made designs and Showit website templates – and come away with an elevated brand and web design for your small business!

About Brand It, Build It Podcast, Hosted by Kelly Zugay

Hosted by Kelly Zugay, co-founder of With Grace and Gold, The Brand It, Build It Podcast is a leading small business marketing podcast for small business owners, creatives, founders and entrepreneurs. Enjoy weekly, actionable episodes to build a successful, sustainable small business from the inside out.