Nope. And I’d put a freeze on your credit checks and shit to make sure he can’t do anything without you knowing.

In case you need someone to tell you - your friend is shady as hell.

Real friends and family do not expect a discount from a small business. They respect it’s your livelihood. You can a choose to give them one! But those that you know feel somehow entitled to it, hard no.

I’m starting a business. My mom and a few of her friends placed orders for my items. I offered to do them for free (for my mom) and at cost (for her friends). I was so happy they liked my things, ha ha, and was looking forward to maybe some free word of mouth from them to get me started.

None of them would accept my offer. Not one.

You can can help them out by telling them what your cost is and how many hours of time the order will take you and nd work up an adjusted rate. You can make a gift of doing it for free for a special few. But by no means does anyone you ever called a friend get a discount, least of all those that expect it. If anything they get someone who goes the extra mile for them, throws in that extra touch, actually cares about their event etc. that’s more than they’d get elsewhere.

You said you matched the CCTV to “know” it was her. Indicating you did not even speak to her about this. Which, by the way, you would have done if you were anywhere close to a decent employer.

Do you have a hard policy in place about discount given to customers. You said $50, but didn’t say what percentage of thee sale that was. If it was 75% off, anyone would assume that’s unusual, if it was 25% or even 40% this close to the holiday…not so out of the question.

Maybe she wasn’t trying to be dishonest in the least. What kind of product this? An item the said customer could be back to purchase at a semi-regular interval? Maybe she offered an incentive to a reluctant friend to gain business thus you’ll make your $50 back plus. Maybe this customer has many friends that could be intimidated said product?

You either didn’t share, or didn’t bother to find out some important details. It seems you jumped to the assumption your employee is a liar and a thief. Which honestly says more about you than her.

I’ve worked in two different medical types offices. OSHA compliance is a huge thing. We had yearly staff meeting to review procedure in both places and to make sure everything in the offices was up to standards. It usually took the team two days or so in both places to review all the paperwork, labeling, etc. just to ensure everything was updated and accurate. MDS sheets all complied and in their binders, safety equipment, product labeling, medications storage and lock up, gas tanks, surgical equipment, biohazard etc. But medical comes with a huge list of regulatory bodies other than OSHA.

Yes, they can just show up for inspection. No, they don’t often. As stated it’s usual. Response to accident or complaint. However any good business will ensure they are always in compliance.

Make stand alone social accounts for your business. This should be done either way. Make a brand account under your Facebook account (your FB will now be a biz account, no big deal) but it won’t spill over. You’ll have complete control over what you share.

I get where you’re coming from, really. First, don’t tell anyone who won’t be supportive. That means anyone who won’t tell you the truth good or bad when you ask an opinion, who won’t be genuinely happy for you, or just listen when something sucks without having to have a “me too” moment.

Second, never count on or expect your friends and family to be your customers. If you want opinions or to test samples or to get the word out ask them if they’d be willing to use/wear/whatever you pick and give it to them. Make sure it’s something they like, yes, but it should be something you need to test. They can give you feedback or show it off and maybe drive other sales. Limit this to a small group of close family and friends that you think will honestly help you.

When I started my shop I only told a few people. Then I “liked” or shared on my brand account or social media from my personal social media account. It was a way to cross post to get people I knew to see it without spilling the beans completely. But once they clicked the links to my shop,beach they knew it was me…but they had to be at least interested to get to that point.

How many do you need? That will dictate where you go.