Wearing a Rolex to work - Small business owner

[Swaggy P]

I definitely would NOT do it as a small business owner. Not smart. Clients figure: "He's got enough money... He can come down further." Do what you want, but it's not a smart move. Put it this way: It can only hurt you; it'll do nothing to help you.

[kamek]

Originally Posted by Swaggy P

I definitely would NOT do it as a small business owner. Not smart. Clients figure: "He's got enough money... He can come down further." Do what you want, but it's not a smart move. Put it this way: It can only hurt you; it'll do nothing to help you.

Or how about, "He's got his things in order and must do good work. This is our guy."

Smart move indeed.

[Swaggy P]

Originally Posted by kamek

Or how about, "He's got his things in order and must do good work. This is our guy."

Smart move indeed.

Never. I see: "He charges too much." Don't delude yourself into thinking people don't notice these things either. They do. Most just don't say anything.

I'm not saying the OP hasn't earned it. It's just bad business. It can't help, at least. I would NEVER say, "Oh, he has a Rolex, so I'll buy from him." That's ridiculous. I'd do the opposite and buy from the guy without the Rolex.

[Swaggy P]

Forget about employees. I'm taking about clients. Clients notice everything. Most employees are just collecting paychecks.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Swaggy P

Forget about employees. I'm taking about clients. Clients notice everything. Most employees are just collecting paychecks.

The OP is clearly talking about employees.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Swaggy P

Forget about employees. I'm taking about clients. Clients notice everything. Most employees are just collecting paychecks.

My clients notice everything. And they are not shy about commenting.

I genuinely believe that showing success without going overboard does instill confidence. It's all about finding the right balance.

I believe that everything we do is part of a sale. I sold a Range Rover and bought a Jeep because it was regularly commented on.

And I agree, people notice a watch as well. That said, having a Rolex is not nearly the big deal it used to be. They are quite common these days and anyone with a credit card can buy one.

[Vaxe]

There's no right/wrong approach, it depends.

If you treat your employees fairly and pay on time + offer incentives, how you spend your part of the pie would likely not be scrutinized.
Every company has employees who think they deserve more, and seeing the owner with a nice timepiece may propel the notion, but you shouldn't compromise your lifestyle to accommodate everyone.

If you nickle and dime and show up in a PM, then I can see the disdain.

[DarthSimon]

I do daily!!

[bswanson]

Everyone will say "wear it" and "you earned it" and while both of those are probably correct, it may not be the best course of action as a small business owner.

Many times, perception can depart from reality. Usually a 'team' environment is the most productive for small businesses, and showing a divide between "you" and "them", even on an economic level can create tension. I've seen it first hand.

Definitely not telling you not to wear it, but think about the potential ramifications before you do. How will you be perceived? How important is it to you that you show your employees that you're "one of them"? Would any of them even know if you did wear your watch?

A relatively small decision like this can have long lasting implications when it comes to your company.

[JapRs]

Wear it

[KrismanX]

I was almost afraid to buy my first Rolex because I thought it would bring a bad taste to the mouths of friends, colleagues or family. In the end, the only people who actually noticed it would be watch enthusiasts. Even then, it's mostly a non-verbal "You, too huh?" kind-of-look. Which I love!

So wear it with pride, not pomp, and you will enjoy every tick of time a little more when you've got a GORGEOUS timepiece on your wrist! Buy away and post some wrist shots for us!!

[Doug T]

Enjoy it and wear it. That's why you're the boss!

[Jbvold]

A nice gold Sub. Go for it. If you want to keep a low profile, go for the whitegold. But I really like the YG sub with blue dial.

[ut11]

Im a small business owner and I wear my Sub-c all the time. Very few people even notices what kind it is.

[Racerdj]

I wear all mine without any reservations or an attitude. I sold assets in the recession to make payroll. I have the upmost respect for all who work for me.

[Tush17]

BTW I don't think I would dare wear them around my clients. The good thing is I don't see any face to face more than a few weeks a year.

[crowncollection]

Wear and enjoy

[Sperry]

The guy that jockeys vehicles at the local GMC dealership wears a two-tone Sub.

There was a teen cashier wearing a clean fluted DJ at Trader Joe's, but he left. Didn't "fit in".

When I was in sales, the sun would sometimes glint off the WG TOG bezel. People making many times my pay would look at it wistfully but usually refrain from comment.

[DarthSimon]

F you have an employee that would care about the watches your wearing, and give you any negative issues regarding that, get rid of them, couldn't be trusted anyhow!!

[Archduke]

It's just a watch. Wear it and don't worry.

[Chad M]

I worked delivering Chinese food when I was young. The owner had a Rolex and all it did was motivate me to work harder.
The haters will hate regardless. Maybe it will motivate one or two employees. Lol

[Britexpat76]

I work in a country where labour earn $250 per month......... some less

Mine earn more than average and are treated well, do they resent my rolex watches? Absolutely not because I own th company and employ them with more benefits that just about all other companies

[juniorlawrence]

Originally Posted by Tush17

Do you think wearing a Rolex as a small business owner who primarily has general labour type employees (8-10 employees) would negatively effect me?

I am finally in the position to be able to own a Rolex and it sucks that I may not be able to wear it to work (where I spend most of my time) out of fear of pissing off my employees.

Thoughts?

I wouldn't, it might negatively affect the way your general labor employees start to view you. Why draw attention, some of your FTE might have cars worth less than $1000. I wouldn't but that is just me

[james1787]

Absolutely wear it. You are the boss, you own the business..

[Thepoolguy]

I'm in the exact same boat. I own a pool service company, and I figure I won't be wearing the Explorer II I'm looking to purchase to work. My guys are salaried pros, so while I'd be a little nervous about their resentment, I definitely wouldn't want my customers (or potential customers) to see me in it. Of course this may give me an excuse to snag a Pelagos for M-F so they're none the wiser.

[melons]

People will notice your car and not what watch you are wearing.

[Thepoolguy]

My concern also has to do with my age though. I'm getting the rolex to celebrate 10 years in business and a milestone revenue achievement we should hit this year, but outside perception is a 32 year old in a blue collar industry must be charging too much for the work. If I was 52 I'm not sure I'd feel the same way because I think the current degree of "success" would be more accepted.

[engin33r]

Originally Posted by Thepoolguy

My concern also has to do with my age though. I'm getting the rolex to celebrate 10 years in business and a milestone revenue achievement we should hit this year, but outside perception is a 32 year old in a blue collar industry must be charging too much for the work. If I was 52 I'm not sure I'd feel the same way because I think the current degree of "success" would be more accepted.

Unless your clients are dumb, they are not going to judge your products/services pricing based on what you wear. They are not going to think your 10k worth of products are more expensive than 10.5k same products / services your competitor is selling, just because he wears casio and you wear rolex.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by engin33r

Unless your clients are dumb, they are not going to judge your products/services pricing based on what you wear. They are not going to think your 10k worth of products are more expensive than 10.5k same products / services your competitor is selling, just because he wears casio and you wear rolex.

I think there is always "that client" who thinks your services are too expensive. Then there are those who know that there are differences in your profession and they have to pay to get the top talent. I don't compete on cheap, I compete on destroying competition and making money.

[Muzz]

I would wear it and not give it too much thought. Generally speaking I treat everyone fairly and I have never felt or noticed resentment for what has been on my wrist at any given time.