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.

Valise Jackson

Being part of a couple’s wedding day gives me the opportunity to give them everlasting memories. I want to make that day so very special, To each couple I give a thank you gift for allowing me to be a part of their day. To each couple I give a thank you card that expresses my heartfelt appreciation, my business card, candy and other items that I include vary. If I officiate a formal wedding and write a personalized wedding script to use for the ceremony, I give the couple a copy printed on card stock paper so they can look back on their day and remember the special moments as they become joined in union. Couples have been so appreciated and many times shocked that I gave them a thank you gift but I want each and every couple know how appreciative I am that I had the honor to officiate their ceremony. Read more>>

Alayna Waddell

In the wedding industry, hiring a photographer is a big deal. We are the vendor you will spend the most time with on your wedding day AND often a lot of time leading up to it. It is one of the major investments for your wedding day and it is how you will look back on your day months, years, and even decades into the future. Because of these things, I don’t take my client’s choice of me and experience with me lightly. Read more>>

Chelcy Hunt

To me, the best things I’ve done for customer appreciation were my $100 grocery giveaway and school supplies giveaways. For the $100 grocery giveaway, a customer received an entry for every $25 they spent. When I reached out to the customer that won to let her know she was so happy. It came at a time when she really needed it. It made her feel good that she won but also that it came from supporting a small business. The school supplies weren’t strictly for customers but it was one of the ways I wanted to give back as well. I was able to supply a decent amount of school supplies to ONE HUNDRED students. It meant a lot to make a difference. I may be one person but even a pebble can make a ripple in a pond. Read more>>