We each do something that costs us more, but we do it anyway because we believe in the values behind it.
Every year during my Christmas break, I take several days to sit on the couch, watch cheesy Christmas movies, and mend my socks. At first, my husband didn’t get it. “You know, considering the amount of time you are spending fixing those old socks, you could have bought new ones for cheaper.” I know.
It’s not always about choosing the cheapest option. I mend my socks because I value sustainability and making my clothes last as long as possible. (Also, I like these brightly-colored fair isle socks and I hate shopping.) Mending the socks is more of an investment than purchasing new ones, but it is worth it to me.
In business, we make similar decisions. The cheapest option is not always the one we choose. There are values other than money involved.
Maybe you offer more sizes than most brands because you care about inclusivity even though it costs more in development. Maybe you produce locally and pay higher wages because you want to support your local community. Maybe you pay more per yard to get lower minimums on your fabric because avoiding overproduction is important to you.
Whatever it is, other people might look at that decision and think it is crazy because you could have chosen a cheaper option. However, to you, the value is worth it.
What is that thing in your business that you spend more on, but is entirely worth it to you?