Pawn Shop Performer Blog

Who You Really Are

While in the office this week I gave a rather lengthy radio interview on a nationally syndicated show about my book Pawnonomics http://pawnonomics.com/ and even though I've given dozens of these interviews since the book came out earlier this year, this one was different. This radio host was a delight to work with. He had obviously read the book, and because he does a small business related show, he was also very savvy about different forms of consumer credit.

In other words - he didn't just interview me -he had done his homework - and he made me work for it. Good God I love a challenge. And this radio personality asked me all the right questions. While he was entertained and amused by all the colorful history about the industry presented in the book, he didn't want to talk about the past. He wanted the here and now. And also the future.

His questions steered the interview right into the middle of the current global credit crisis. Some of them included: "What do US legislators and government regulators need to know about the pawnbroking industry in order to make the right regulatory choices? What makes a pawn loan different than a payday loan - a title loan - microcredit - small loan companies - automatic overdraft protection - and credit card usage around the world?"

He pushed on - but not too hard. "Why are there many pawnbrokers in certain parts of the world while in other areas they are practically nonexistent? What reason would you give for the industry having a less than ideal reputation?" I breezed through the answers to these and many more in an accurate, informative, and entertaining fashion for his listeners. Straightforward - nothing but the facts - and I never had to get even the least bit defensive.

But then - THE question came. He asked me "Steve, what would you say is the most unique reason why pawn shop credit is different from any other form of short-term consumer credit available?" So I told him and the audience that through my eyes, the number one thing that makes pawnbroking totally unique is generally not discussed much, either inside or outside of the industry. I also thank him for asking this question, even though my answer is nothing more than an opinion. I then told everyone listening who you and I really are.

I said that pawn shop loans are completely unique because they're not always given out because of what the pawnbroker has in his head, or what the customer has to pledge in his hand. I told him that many times pawn shop loans are given out because of what the pawnbroker has in his heart. Any experienced pawnbroker knows this, however very few will share this fact with you. For the most part, we are an unassuming bunch.

Operating a pawnshop is not necessarily the easiest job to carry out emotionally. You're dealing with real people experiencing real problems, and there are many times when compassion and empathy play a big role in making the proper decision to meet your customers needs. I also said that as far as I know, there is no other form of short-term credit where this comes into play.

I also said that it does not come as a surprise to anyone in the pawnbroking industry that William Booth, the gentleman who originally founded the Salvation Army, at one time worked in a pawnshop. What Mr. Booth experienced as a pawnbroker played a big part in his decision to start his ministry. Mr. Booth never looked down on any of his followers because of their past, never judged them in their previous actions in life, and welcomed the masses through his spiritual guidance.

Again - this is only through my eyes - but I've got a feeling you may agree with me. We both know how different our profession is - and every so often, especially during this holiday season, it may be important to share with people who we really are. I created the Pawn Shop Performer(tm) http://www.pawnshopperformer.com/ coaching program both with my head, and with my heart. My coaching members who are experiencing the greatest benefits from the program, are learning it in exactly the same way. Don't ever forget who you really are.

In Commitment to your Success,
Stephen Krupnik

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