Tales Of A Fourth Generation Textile Executive: Please Forgive Us!

Dear Friends,

This past weekend my family went to Disney.  Needless to say, I am tired, tired and more tired.  It was so hot…especially for October.  Nonetheless, we did it and we survived.  God bless my wife for some excellent planning.  My kids had the greatest time ever.  In fact, I just finished putting my little guy to sleep crying because he misses Disney so much already.  I guess that is the sign of a successful trip.  I am still recovering from the sweats that I endured from all those roller coasters especially that Everest one that goes backwards when you least expect it in the dark nonetheless.  It stinks to get old.

On a totally different note, this weekend was the beginning of the Jewish New Year when we celebrate Rosh Hashanah.  Next week we begin Yom Kippur which represents the Jewish day of atonement.  Each year around this time, I do my business atoning blog.  Sorry for being lazy, but it is important for me to repeat these apologies again and again.  One can never apologize enough when wronging another person and everyone should know that it is never too late to apologize….in my opinion.  So I am going to do just that with that hope that you can accept my apology and we can start the Jewish New Year fresh….even if you aren’t Jewish.  I am not the most religious person in the world, but do have full respect for all religions, races and people.  That being said, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are holidays where I do go to temple to pray, atone for my sins and celebrate the Jewish New Year (except this year because of Disney….sorry!)  This year is 5777.

Yes, I know, you can’t believe that I sin.  Well, believe it or not, I am unfortunately not as perfect as I appear.  (This is where you are supposed to laugh).  Moving on.  Anyhow,  I am gearing up to apologize for the sins that my family business may have committed against you.  Mind you, I personally do not like to hold grudges and hope that you don’t either as life is just too short to hold on to grudges.  So before I start laying on the apologies, if you plan on reading it, you will be inherently accepting the apologies from me and the companies run by my family (Studioe Fabrics, The Blank Quilting Corp., Henry Glass Fabrics, A.E. Nathan Co., Inc. & Fabric Editions).

FOR:

Late deliveries.

Early deliveries.

Deliveries to the wrong address.

Damaged boxes.  Even though that is usually the shipping company’s fault, but don’t tell them that I blamed them.

Short shipping.

Over shipping.

Backorders.

Not meeting your delivery requirements.

Not giving you credit.

Giving you too much credit.

Not charging your credit card soon enough.

Charging your credit card too late.

Shipping 10s, 11s, 12s, 13s, 14s, 16s, 17s, etc. when you wanted a 15 yard cut.

Shipping an entire collection minus the lead pattern.

Not returning your call or email quickly enough.

Not following your explicit instructions.

Messing up the free project instructions.

Giving you misinformation.

Not getting you an invoice soon enough.

Being rude if that is how you interpreted the New Yorker’s in us and in me especially.

Ignoring you.

Nagging you.

Whatever we may have done to have wronged you.  (blanket listing)

I could go on and on with potential reasons to be apologizing, but I think you get the drift.  If you think of an apology that I have not listed, please consider it listed under the blanket listing or add it in the comments section and I will include it next year.  Like most businesses, we do try hard to improve our business each and every day and this is just another step in the right direction.