Life has one constant, it moves on, it ends, something is reborn. Over the past summer I have had individuals pass, viewed those grieving, then moving on. I have also seen a similar scenario playing out in Gulfport. A business opens, does its daily thing and either succeeds or closes up. Usually there is something waiting in the wings to re-open. The business community mourns the loss then spreads the word to potential investors and we start the cycle all over again.
Is there a magic formula for success or disappointment? One of the facets I enjoy about owning a business in Gulfport is that it is rather the anti-dote to corporate America. We are mom and pop shops, we connect to our customers in a way a well regulated business wouldn’t. Some folks don’t like the ‘quirky, quaint’ descriptions of Gulfport. I for one embrace it. It is what engages people that come here.
We need to continue to build on our business foundation, but we also need to keep in perspective that we are ‘different’. We all work very hard at what we do, but we also keep the human side and true customer service ethic in the forefront.
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I have also pondered the footprint they have left and what my own will be (but that’s for another column.)