With Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday right around the corner, it seemed like the appropriate time to have this much needed conversation – stop asking Black brands for discounts. This week alone I’ve seen no less than three, small Black-owned businesses lamenting about others’ expectations for Black owned businesses to give discounts. This post was prompted by a DM conversation I had with a Black handbag designer. She mentioned that customers kept pressing her for sales to the point that she started doing two a year. As if the stress of trying to start, run and grow a business isn’t enough, many Black owned businesses are experiencing the added pressure of discounting their goods and services. This practice needs to stop and here’s why:
It’s Anti-Black
First and foremost, asking and expecting Black owned brands to discount their services and merchandise is anti-Black. Period. People don’t walk into Apple, Louis Vuitton, Gucci or many other non-Black businesses demanding discounts, so why do it to Black owned businesses? Only demanding discounts from Black owned businesses sends a message that they’re subpar, less than and not as good as others. Personally, I can attest to that being a complete lie. I patron Black owned businesses as much as I can. It’s been my personal experience that Black owned businesses over deliver on quality and service compared to other brands, which is why they get my hard earned coins. Black brands deserve to be fairly compensated for the goods and services they provide. Period.
It’s Insulting
Another reason to stop asking Black brands for discounts is because it’s insulting. Many times, we as Black people have experienced pay disparities on our jobs between ourselves and our non-Black co-workers, doing the same job, with the same level of experience. If you’ve experienced that, weren’t you insulted that your employer expected you to do the same work for less? So why should Black owned businesses be any different? It’s an insult and a slap in their faces that they put their blood, sweat, tears, time and finances into a business only to have people expect them to do it for less. That’s not only insulting, it’s unacceptable.
“Did you say discount?! Girl, bye!”
It’s Not Sustainable
No one goes into business to lose money. Sure, most new businesses lose money at the start, but they expect to turn a sustainable profit eventually. Most Black owned businesses are small businesses. They’re not dealing with the same resources as corporations and big box retailers. On top of all of that, Black owned businesses, historically, have not had access to the same resources and capital as non-Black owned businesses. If they’re being faced with these hurdles already, offering discounts will not help them to grow a strong and sustainable business. In order to create jobs, Black owned businesses have to be sustainable. The constant pressure to offer discounts is the last thing Black owned brands need.
What are some other reasons to stop asking Black brands for discounts? Are you a Black owned brand that’s been pressured to offer discounts? Drop a comment below. If you found this post helpful, please feel free to share it.
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