Why I'm staying true to my values
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Time to read 2 min
Lately, I’ve been feeling the pressure—and I want to share why I’m standing firm
This piece was written by me—Ruth, founder of I Dream of Silver.
I believe in honesty, integrity, and treating people with genuine care. That includes the way I run my business and how I serve every customer. In a world where so many businesses seem to prioritise profit over people, I’m choosing a different path—one rooted in values that matter.
Running a small business isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s full of highs and lows, and lately, I’ve felt both.
Recently, a new competitor, one of the large bargain-basement, warehouse-type businesses, entered the jewellery box market. They are selling the same jewellery boxes I offer—at prices far below mine and the other two established providers here in Sydney. Naturally, it stings. It devalues the product and puts pressure on all of us who’ve worked so hard to build something meaningful.
We’ve seen plenty of examples of this business strategy by big players, mostly overseas owned. They enter a market sector, offering prices that barely make a profit. They play this game until the smaller competitors, who can’t operate on near to zero profit margins, go under and leave the marketplace. Then the big players hike up their prices and they have no competition. And we the consumers are left with no real choice, and no decent customer service.
After much thought, I’ve decided not to compete on price. That road leads to a race to the bottom—and I don’t want my business to look like a discount store full of throwaway pieces. That’s not who I am, and it’s never been what I Dream of Silver is about.
I believe in quality. I believe in thoughtful design. I believe in treating customers like humans, not order numbers. If someone needs help or wants to talk, they speak to me—not a bot. And that kind of service? You won’t find it on those cheap platforms.
You’ve probably noticed how search results are increasingly dominated by huge retailers like Temu and Alibaba. Their ad budgets dwarf mine. Their margins come at a cost—often to workers, the environment, and customer care. This way of operating a business doesn't align with me or my values.
So if you still want real choice, and beautiful things made and sold with care, I ask this: please support small business. Yes, it may cost a little more, but what you’re really buying is a connection, a commitment to quality, and the ability to keep something special alive.
Thank you for being here. For choosing people over platforms. And for making it possible for small businesses like mine to keep going.
Ruth
Founder and Owner
I Dream of Silver
If you believe in this too, I’d love you to share this post—or tell a friend about us
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