Progress and Achievements of the Colored People / Containing the Story of the Wonderful Advancement of the Colored Americans—the Most Marvelous in the History of Nations—Their Past Accomplishments, Together With Their Present-day Opportunities and a Glimpse Into the Future for Further Developments—the Dawn of a Triumphant Era. A Handbook for Self-improvement Which Leads to Greater Success

by Kelly Miller; Joseph R. Gay

Then begin quietly without a splurge or plunging. Go slowly, except when there is a sudden demand, then work quickly to supply that demand. Generally, however, you should work up, and put yourself in a position to be liked. You treat everybody as if you wanted to accommodate them, and they soon realize that.

You never can tell what a small beginning will lead to. If you keep your eyes open the future will unfold itself. In every locality in our cities and settled country districts, the population is increasing, in many cases by leaps and bounds. You are there and with the proper kindliness and affability you will grow with the place, and the more the population increases the greater will grow your business.

There you are, a business man, grown to be such by the force of circumstances and tact with good judgment. The business will grow still more with the help of your children.

Build Up Your Credit

By making your word as good as your bond, you are seizing an opportunity to build up your credit, and without credit you can not hope to win in the battle of life.

Pay your debts and meet all your obligations as promptly as you can, and if you can not on the specified day, come out squarely and give the reasons why.

Be frank and open with the man you owe, and while he expects you to meet your engagements according to the express letter of your contract, he recognizes the fact that in every business transaction there are accidents that prevent it.

There are always modifications of contracts, because human nature makes mistakes. The best of men do this, but they come out in a manly fashion and admit it.

It is said that business is hard, and knows no yielding; that when a man promises to do a thing, he MUST do it whether he can or not. This is nonsense, business is like every other department of life, it hinges upon humane principles.

If, however, you have not established your credit, you must do so, and you must keep it up. You can not begin your credit by begging for delay the very first engagement you make to pay. That is always a bad beginning, in fact, it is no beginning at all.