After tens of thousands of conversations with business owners, we’ve concluded that one of the key determinants between thriving and struggling businesses is how appreciated customers feel. While that insight might seem fairly commonplace, what’s rare is discussion on how business owners go about making their customers feel appreciated. So, we reached out to some of the most loved and admired entrepreneurs and small business owners in the community and asked them to open up about how they show appreciation to their customers.

Shannon Wendt-Heath

For each of our wedding couples, I add a surprise element: perhaps something they originally wanted to rent, but had reached their budget limit or something I felt would add a “wow” factor in some way. Read more>>

CaTyra Polland

I recently worked with Caleb Jakes, a first-time author who is also a student at the University of Rochester. As I planned the 2nd Annual National Black Authors Day, I created a list of authors who should have a table at the event. Read more>>