I (41F) run a small coffee shop, and have recently expanded into bigger premises, and hired some new staff. This is my first business, and first time managing people. I have one junior who is excellent, and I’ve now hired a second junior, and an older lady in her mid fifties. This is a very small town, we are the only place that sells coffee.

Unfortunately the older lady I’ve hired now seems to think this makes us friends?? She keeps bringing in more and more elaborate craft flower pieces she has made as gifts. I don’t know how to tell her I don’t actually want them. They are genuinely lovely, but not my style and I don’t want this to continue, she came in with the third and biggest today.

I don’t want to hurt her feelings, but how can I make clear I’m her employer not her friend??? I know this is something I need to work on as I will be managing people for at least the next three years. She is a lovely person, I just don’t know how to make my boundaries clear. I would love to hear any suggestions or tips from other business owners who aren’t amazing at drawing boundaries as to how they manage it!