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.

Alana Miller

The best thing I’ve ever done for a customer is added smiles to their session. They have a different experience with me being the photographer that enjoys children as much as I do. I enjoy to see the innocent smiles from the children. That moment alone warms my heart and expresses how passionate I am about capturing their smiles. Creating that memory for the child and mom that will last a lifetime. Read more>>

Jill Duncan

Honestly, I’m so proud of how I show my customers love and appreciation each week during the season! My retail customers order from me online (many of them order every week without fail!). I then drive their orders in my super cute “farm truck” to a central location in the city where they come to pickup. The line forms before I even arrive, rain or shine! Read more>>

Tia Sanderson

With every customer comes an interaction, whether or not you remember it there is always the want to create a special experience for everyone you come in contact with. I’ve had a lot of experiences where I’ve felt like a business transaction and experiences where I’ve felt like I’ve had my day made. Every chance I get, I push myself to create an experience that my customers wont forget. Read more>>

Julie Stoecker

One of my goals as a photographer is provide not only beautiful images but also to provide a fun and memorable experience. I worked for a theme park in the town where I graduated High School and their philosophy has stuck with me throughout my career. They believed in “making memories worth repeating”. They empowered their employees down to the lowest level to ensure that visitors had a great experience and wanted to come back for more. Read more>>

April Ennis

When I was at my old job, I had a client booked for a full set of lash extensions with me and when she came in, I noticed that she didn’t really have any natural lashes to apply any extensions onto so we talked about it and I told her I wouldn’t be able to go through with her service that day. She broke down in tears on my bed and told me that the reason that she was getting them was a very close friend of hers had passed away in an accident and she was actually going to their funeral in a few hours and that’s why she wanted the lashes done that day. Read more>>

Pailynn Moore

One of the best things I do to show appreciation to my customers, is to give back to them. I pour into those who pour into me. I have so much support for my natural haircare line, Pai’s Potions that I give away free hair products each month and also put money into their packages before I ship them out. My customers are extremely amazing and so understanding, I just have to show them how much they are so special to me. Read more>>

desrea wilkes

The way I show customers I appreciate them is by listening to them and remembering. I always take such joy seeing their face light up when its been six weeks since their last visit and I ask them ,”How was the trip”, or “How did the party go?”. It has been my experience that building customer rapport is the number one was to client retention ! Read more>>

Mike Hernandez

When we launched Pequín our Chile mascot he was an instant hit at the FC Dallas matches and every time he made an appearance, this one young fan always came and found him to shoot a photo. Each time he came with a bigger and bigger entourage. Behind the scenes, we had engaged with the FC Dallas organization to figure out who this young fan was so that we could surprise him at the next match with some special co-branded gear from both organizations for being such a great fan our ours! Read more>>