Siouxland Magazine - Volume 1 Issue 4

Resilience: The Greatness of the Underdog
By Todd Rausch
This word has so many meanings for so many
people. For me, it’s about overcoming adversity,
to hang in there till the end and win. I am going to
share a recent experience and what it ultimately means to
be a business owner.
My wife Michele asked me last week if we could go to
Southern Iowa and help support small businesses who
had been affected by the terrible flooding in the recent
months. I said sure, so Friday we started on our little 400
mile round trip down the back roads of the Iowa West
Coast. Truly, it was very scenic and a nice break, but when
we got to where it had flooded, it was a devastating sight.
We were there for two days. We visited 11 businesses,
8 of which were small businesses and we talked to the
owners. What we found out is the obvious, that not all
small business owners treat their customers the same.
For a business owner, the biggest key to being resilient is to
provide the best customer service you can no matter what
the situation. Our internal ability to smile, be friendly, and
be appreciative is not stopped by outside circumstances.
Resilient people overcome external difficulties with internal
fortitude.
I wish all of these owners the best and hope you can learn
from our experience. Treat every customer as a buyer and
as someone who is there to receive the best you have.
Contact:
Todd Rausch, Regional Director
todd.rausch@witcc.edu
712-274-6454
Todd Raush is the Regional Director of America’s SBDC Iowa at
Western Iowa Tech Community College.
Siouxland Magazine | grow / 37
The first place we stopped was a small cafe. We were
the only customers and we just wanted some pie and ice
cream. The owner acted like we were bothering her by
giving her our business. Not a good start.
The second place we stopped was at a Lavender Farm, the
girl helping us was friendly and helpful. Then we talked to
the owner and heard the hard luck story of the last eight
years. I have had a business failure and can sympathize.
Another place we stopped was a winery and cider
maker. The owners were friendly and positive. They even
encouraged us to get supper from the small business
next door which we did and they brought it to our table.
Amazing service!
We then stopped at a brewery and had a great time with
the owners as we tasted their products. Outstanding.
Our hotel for the night was a small town hotel that was as
hot inside as out. When my wife told the owner that the
a/c wasn’t cooling the room the reply was, “It gets better
after dark”. That one, not so good.
The next day was a rough one as well as we were literally
told at a winery that we were a bother to the employee
because she couldn’t get her work done. Again, we were
the only customers there.
The bottom line is that when these businesses needed
help, we went down to give them our business and
support them. The resilient ones were happy and
helpful. For these business owners, it takes resilience and
gratitude at a time of uncertainty.