One of the greatest things about the Shopify partner ecosystem is the level of integrity the community holds itself to. Over the last 10 years, I've seen dozens of Shopify partners (all segments) cut corners, rip-off other people's work (instead of being inspired by it), and attempt to bypass systems, both Shopify's and those of other providers. In most cases, they are younger/naive entrepreneurs who haven't felt their first hard slap in life yet. In life, and especially in smaller communities like this one, if you take short cuts, you may get away with it in the short term, but karma will get you. The word about a bad deed gets around our space fast, with or without social media posts. Many who get caught or called out by peers claim ignorance or deflect responsibility to staff/interns/designers... others except themselves, this is worse. Often the worst of them just fade away quickly. There are so many ways to game systems, Shopify has proven to us that they eventually close the gaps or relax on rules to make the ecosystem better for us/merchants and themselves - not an easy balance to maintain. What I know for sure is that the partner ecosystem is made up mostly of people with integrity who are keeping each other accountable, and who make sure the streets stay clean and the trash gets taken out. Just a reminder to act with integrity, play the long game, do the right thing...it takes years to build a reputation and just one bad move to destroy it. #shopify
Jonathan Kennedy, I feel you have had a very strong hand in developing this culture with the early days of the Shopify Entrepreneurs Facebook Group.
Ouch. I get shivers just thinking about that first hard slap in life.
I am in the Shopify space for round about six years now and can 100% confirm that! Its always a pleasure meeting some one new and recognice that at some point they start sharing the same value ❤️
Totally agree, to play a long term game, you have to grow up yourself. Or.. natural selection.
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Ecommerce specialist | Building NammaPickles | Helping people launch their own D2C brands online.
6moUnfortunately this is something which a lot of people do when starting out (without any prior experience in entrepreneurship). They just want to make some quick money, not knowing that it's a long term play. When I was starting out, I remember selling services in your Shopify Enterpreneurs Facebook Group, not knowing that you had created that group to enhance leads to your own services (Storetaster or HeyCarson) and to build a community for your services. So, I'm guilty of doing this and can for sure agree with you now. I learnt things the hard way and I just wish there was a community for just that. A community for new-comers to learn from local entrepreneurs the things they shouldn't do. This community is something I want to build in the near future. I don't want anyone to learn the things the way I learnt. PS: You have inspired many to do things the right way. Please keep doing the good work. Cheers!