Uncomfortable Kindness

I’m sorry if my kindness makes you uncomfortable…

My store opened on May 24, 2024.  It seems like a lifetime ago, but that’s a good thing.  All the successes, the many customers walking through the door, endless compliments, community support – all have made the blur one in which I have a permanent smile on my face. 

My family has spent every summer in Florida for 56 years, visiting my godparents, and vacationing after they passed.  My mom and I had a couple of local stores, similar to my store, that we would visit every year.  We’d shop, find a treasure that was a memory of that year’s trip, and take it home.  We developed relationships with the owners – they’d remember us, and that made us feel special and appreciated.  I today, still have a few of those treasures. 

My hope when customers walk into my store is that you feel immediately welcomed and at ease.  No pretenses, no stuffiness, just kindness.  I offer a bottle of water, provide a little background on our artists, myself, and get a pulse on what brought you in.  One thing I am never prepared for as I welcome someone in, is that I might make you feel uncomfortable.  It simply has never crossed my mind, but at times, it’s visible.  A shyness, lack of eye contact, one-word responses that are really saying “please stop talking to me” – I immediately feel bad that I’ve even acknowledged your entry.  I contemplate this, and those responses are exactly why I, and my assistant, welcome customers, in just that matter.  WE ALL NEED KINDNESS!  We, as a society, have lost that simple concept, have grown to not expect it – and when we receive it, we don’t know what to do with it.  I continue to take that pulse, try to respond accordingly with my kindness – and do so with the hope that when a customer leaves – they immediately feel it, or they get in their car  – feeling ‘safe’ again, can fully accept the kindness we all deserve. 

I’m not going to stop welcoming, offering the bottle of water – I mean it’s Florida folks – none of us are drinking enough water, asking how you’re doing, sharing, and thanking.  I appreciate you!  The small business owners of the world appreciate you!  Kindness is the least expensive thing a business owner (big or small) can invest in – and the impact is so great! 

If you haven’t been in to see the artwork at Sea Dreams by Sara – please stop in.  If you’re having a bad day, please stop in – we’ve got kindness waiting for you.  If you just aren’t sure about this whole positive customer experience thing, let us make you uncomfortable – it’ll probably just take one time, and then you’ll realize not only is giving kindness a good thing – but receiving it is EVEN BETTER!