Those things are important, but today I want to talk about something many business owners try to avoid: feedback.
The truth is, feedback is one of the most valuable tools you can have as a business owner.
When I first started my small bites business, I only offered meat pies. Over time, I expanded my menu to include samosas, spring rolls, puff-puff, and eventually barbecue chicken.
Now, barbecue chicken was a product that worried me.
I wanted it to be juicy, well-cooked, and consistent with the quality of my other products. I was still learning the perfect cooking time and trying to find the right balance between making sure it was fully cooked without drying it out.
I remember when someone placed one of my very first barbecue chicken orders.
After receiving the order, they told me they would give me feedback. I happily agreed and said I was looking forward to hearing what they thought.
When the feedback eventually came, something didn’t sit right with me.
It felt incomplete.
Instead of discussing it over text, I decided to wait until I saw her in person.
When I finally did, I said, “Please give me the real feedback.”
And she did.
She told me that while most of the chicken was fine, a few pieces still had a little blood in them.
Was it the feedback I wanted to hear?
Absolutely not.
But was it the feedback I needed?
Yes.
And that’s the difference.
I thanked her immediately because now I knew exactly what needed to change.
That feedback allowed me to adjust my cooking times, refine my process, and improve my consistency.
Not long after, I received an order for 80 pieces of barbecue chicken.
Because of the feedback I had received earlier, I was able to confidently prepare the order. The chicken was properly cooked, juicy, visually appealing, and consistent with the standard I wanted for my business.
Imagine if I had never pushed for honest feedback.
Imagine if I had simply accepted the polite version and moved on.
I would have continued making the same mistake without even knowing it existed.
Even worse, that customer may never have ordered that product again.
As business owners, it’s easy to become defensive when people point out flaws in our products or services. We tell ourselves we worked hard. We remind ourselves we did our best.
And often, that’s true.
But doing your best today doesn’t mean there’s no room to improve tomorrow.
I remember apologising to her immediately when she told me the truth. Later, when I got home, I messaged her again to thank her and apologise once more.
Not because I was trying to save face.
But because I genuinely appreciated her honesty.
Feedback gave me the opportunity to become better.
That’s what good customers do. They help businesses grow.
And that’s what good business owners do. They listen.
Always seek feedback.
Not just the glowing reviews.
Not just the compliments.
Seek the uncomfortable feedback too.
The feedback that makes you pause.
The feedback that highlights your blind spots.
The feedback that shows you where improvement is needed.
Because every piece of honest feedback is an opportunity to become better than you were yesterday.
And in business, growth begins where defensiveness ends.
With Love,
Ayo
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