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!
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