Our Storytime series is based on the premise that stories are one of the most powerful ways to learn and so this series explores topics we think matter greatly to the success of small business owners and artists and creatives. One of those topics is showing customers that you appreciate them because there is a vast body of research as well as countless anecdotes of how showing customers you appreciate them directly impacts the degree to which your business will succeed and grow. Below, you’ll find stories of how some very talented entrepreneurs have made their clients feel appreciated.

Meika Davis

I truly love to serve my customers in this field. Many customers have contacted me with limited budgets and because I know at times certain customers may want a beautiful event but have limited funds. It has been my pleasure to be a blessing in this aspect over the years! Read more>>

Brandon Warman

When we launched our first company on Kickstarter we had already built up an audience of individuals who were interested in giving us their feedback as we developed the product. As part of this process, we asked individuals who had given us feedback if they could video record themselves sharing their thoughts on how they thought our product was going to benefit them and then included snippets of these videos in our Kickstarter video. Read more>>

Mali Noel

We believe in going above and beyond for our customers because we understand that people remember how you make them feel. By including hand-written thank you messages to our customers, facilitating specific customer messages to their recipients, recommending scent combinations, and often sending pictures of the final package before shipping, we not only show attention to detail, we create memorable experiences throughout the gift-giving journey. Read more>>

Falyn Marie

The best thing Headwearbyfal does to show our customers that we appreciate them is by allowing them to be apart of the manufacturing process. They help pick out what products they would like to be added to our collections, and they also choose the colorways of what we will be making. They get to decide our prices for our products. Everything we do is based on our customers decisions. Read more>>

Lynn Tickner

We are an empathy-first marketing studio, and empathy is applied equally to our clients AND to our clients’ clients and customers. We design clear journeys for our clients beginning with the first discovery call and continuing through every process. We include messages and encouragement designed to make our clients smile throughout all our communication. We also have regular touchpoints for our clients including weekly updates so they never need to wonder what’s going on with their project. Read more>>

Micah Trigg

I keep track of all my clients’ information, such as their addresses and birthdays. I make sure to send them a happy birthday card and text message. Around the holidays, I send them a Christmas card, and if I’m in the area, I always stop by to say hello. I notice that the response I get is always positive, and they really appreciate me remembering their special day and taking the time to come see them. Read more>>

Wendy Varner

Polymer clay earring artists are a dime a dozen these days. You can go on Google, Instagram and Pinterest and see that there are so many of us to choose from. And with every clay maker putting their special twist on every earring they make, it can make it very hard for the customer to choose who to purchase from. I view each and every order like a special gift from them to me. Read more>>

Joe Katz

We really enjoy giving away free food. We’ve found over the years that when you hand someone a free sausage, the friendship is usually off to a great start. Most recently we are offering free hot dogs every day, all day. No questions asked. Read more>>

Tonya Cross

Creating a positive customer experience is something I practice and coach to other fellow handmade business owners. Customers is the foundation and vehicle that drive every business. One thing I’ve learned while in business is that people love to be recognized and appreciated. It’s an innate desire that we all have. Read more>>

Clara Park

Any time I do a dinner for a pop-up, client or event, I always leave the guests with a little something sweet to say thank you. For a while, it was saltine toffee. I learned the recipe from Nicole Plue, a James Beard award winning pastry chef I had worked with. More recently, I did little gift bags with the “Brekkie Sandos” that I made when I was a contestant on Netflix’s “Snack v. Chef”. It can be anything and does not necessarily require that much more time but the impact is insane. Read more>>