I consider this an essential business skill whether it be verbal or written, letter or email, honest or measured.
It has been for a long time now, ie about March 2020 the biggest fault line in the business connection between myself and my fellow business premises cotenant.
I have been very open about my mental health and how things affect me. When I have not agreed with how things are going with the premises and the link between the two of us selling the others work and representing them to customers I have voiced it
The voicing of criticism is not accepted from fellow sole trader. From their emphasis that there is no we just two sole traders selling from the same premises I have had every idea proposed for the premises turned down and this was considered to be the final decision. I rode with his based on their youth and lack of work experience compared to mine.
However when an email is sent and their parent walks into the shop instead of them and angrily and in a loud voice aggressively tells me I can not communicate the sympathy and support wanes. On three separate occasions individual members of the family have accused me of living about my reading of the published gov.uk regulations – in all three cases I was in the right but no apologies have ever been forthcoming.
I receive an email last night prompted by a handwritten letter left by me stapled to a notice board, this would be a quick response to a message except I first wrote to them two months before and never received any reply of any sort. In fact two additional messages since – no reply.
They didn’t agree with my working arrangement I have put forward from May 17 and July 14, therefore it is not an agreement and does not apply – we are back to when they last stated something.
I hand wrote a letter today stating what I am doing that includes directing, after previously asking, them to not sell my work in the shop on their days. I stopped selling theirs in May as stated in my letter. I don’t know if a reply will come back , if it does it will feature their favourite phrase, ‘I am disappointed’, tbh I am frankly livid that when asked to not sell the work of an artist by the artist that they insist they will continue to do so even when it has been covered up with notices to customers that it is not for sale.
In an ideal situation I would leave but I have paid my share of the rent and bills, I have put numerous hours into promoting the premises and any other local,premises are way outside my budget.
Meanwhile I drew three new original postcards today and have sold one online this evening already.
If communication does not allow disagreement then it is denial of any issues – this is what I am faced with. I intend to do my days, sell my art and keep to myself as much as is possible.