We recently shared a blog post discussing the missed opportunities some businesses face when they choose not to refer customers elsewhere—especially when they’re out of stock. That post included a line suggesting that some businesses may have a fragile ego and choose not to refer. We now realise that this could have been misinterpreted, and for that, we sincerely apologise if anyone felt it was directed at them personally. That was never the intent.
The original post was never meant to hurt anyone’s feelings. It was simply a reflection of the broader challenges in the industry, especially in the current economic climate. When businesses refuse to refer even when they’re unable to help a customer, it can unfortunately come across as a “we don’t actually care if you succeed or not” attitude.
As someone who is autistic, I’ve come to recognise that I am often misunderstood. Things I say or write, which are meant simply as general observations, can sometimes be perceived as cruel or overly blunt. That’s never my intention. I see patterns in how things work, and I speak to those patterns—not people. But unfortunately, it’s easy for others to misread tone or intent, especially in written posts. I also often think that perhaps people don’t necessarily understand autism sufficiently well to realise that things weren’t intended negatively. That’s part of why I believe in clear, open communication—so we can clear things up before misunderstandings escalate.
We understand one local holistic business took particular offence and has since barred us, believing that the post was a direct insult. While we respect their right to respond as they see fit, we want to state clearly: the post was not about any specific business, and the phrase used was not meant as an attack on anyone. It was a general industry observation intended to spark dialogue, not division.
The Power of Referrals
The truth is, customers who can’t find what they’re looking for in-store will often go online and buy it elsewhere anyway. So why not have a trusted, preferred online supplier (like us) to refer them to and earn commission in return?
Referrals aren’t just a nice gesture—they can bring in extra income and build goodwill. For example, we offer a 10% referral commission for businesses who send customers our way. That’s a simple, mutually beneficial setup.
For smaller businesses, this kind of partnership can also help gain traction and visibility. It’s not about competition. In fact, in many cases, our product ranges are complementary to what brick-and-mortar shops offer. We’re not trying to take anyone’s customers—we want to work with you to serve them better.
A great example of this mindset can be found in Avebury, where The Elements Store and The Henge Shop have chosen to stock mostly complementary lines, giving their visitors a greater choice. When businesses support each other this way, everyone wins.
Let’s Build Up, Not Shut Out
If a business has shown kindness in the past, wouldn’t it also be kind to support struggling fellow businesses by referring customers when relevant? That kind of goodwill could go a long way.
We’ve used our platform to help bring attention to other holistic businesses, both local and farther afield. We frequently recommend others when they stock items we don’t. For example, Cauldron Creations in Gloucester stock Blue Lotus Flower—something we don’t carry. We refer people to them because we believe in lifting each other up. Please visit them—they’re lovely people.
We’d also like to remind readers that we pledge 5% of our net profits to The Kingfisher Treasure Seekers, which includes The Cavern in Gloucester. This incredible organisation supports people with mental health challenges, learning disabilities, and those recovering from addiction. By not referring, it’s not just a potential sale being lost—it’s also less money that could go toward supporting community causes.
We strongly believe in building bridges, not burning them because of misunderstandings. We encourage open communication. A quick, respectful conversation could have resolved things far more peacefully than a knee-jerk ban.
The Role of Anxiety in Business
We often speak to people who suffer from high anxiety, and it’s something we deeply empathise with. But we also recognise that unchecked anxiety can lead to misinterpreting well-meant suggestions as criticism. This can ultimately cost business opportunities and slow down growth.
We believe that anxiety—while real and valid—needs to be tempered with mindfulness and openness. Otherwise, it becomes a barrier to collaboration and mutual success. Sometimes, what sounds like criticism is actually a solution waiting to be heard.
Let’s engage each other constructively, give each other the benefit of the doubt, and focus on solutions—not assumptions.
TL;DR
This post was not meant to offend or single out anyone. We believe in referral-based collaboration between businesses, especially in the holistic sector, where many are small and complementary. We refer others often, promote good causes, and donate 5% of net profits to community mental health services. Misunderstandings can hurt both sides—but open conversation can build stronger partnerships. We’re here to build bridges, not burn them. As an autistic person, I sometimes express things in a way that can be misinterpreted—but I always intend to support, not offend.
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