Once upon a time, back in high school, I learned one of my friends had lost his dad. It hit me hard. I couldn’t imagine losing your parent at such a young age. Soon after, I sent him a plaque that said, “When all else fails, try a prayer.”
I also wrote a message on the back and signed my name.
Forty years later, from this same friend who I hadn’t heard from in all that time, found me on Facebook and reminded me of the plaque I gave him in high school. He said he had kept it above his desk all these years and it had helped him through some trying times.
I was amazed! I had totally forgotten about the plaque. But it obviously had an impact and staying power.
“Great acts are made up of small deeds.” —Lao Tzu
One Small Gesture
We never know the impact one small thing you’ve done, or said, can have on a person over the years. It might be a small gift and it might sit on someone’s shelf for decades. It might be the few encouraging words you shared they remember in a crisis. The gift of $100 when they were down and out. Staying late to help them finish a project they were struggling with. Watching their kids in an emergency. Loaning them your car or a fishing pole when they needed to get away.
These are the things that remain in a person’s memory, lingering like the smell of fresh coffee or the comfort of a warm quilt. Yet, too often, we overlook opportunities to reach out. We think, “Oh, they’ll be okay,” or “They don’t really need my help,” or “My words won’t make much difference.”
We underestimate the staying power of small gestures. Don’t let the opportunities pass. Years down the road you may learn how much it mattered to someone.
If you think you’re too small to make a difference, you haven’t spent a night with a mosquito. —African Proverb
Marketing & Trust Building Tips
Create a PDF to put on your website. Write and post a free download that’s accessible without requiring an email address to get it. It’s your advice on how to: find the best X in your industry, hire a great person who does X, avoid typical mistakes regarding X in your industry, explores the ups and downs, offers solutions for industry challenges, etc. Why? Because it makes you quotable. It establishes your authority in your industry and it improves search engine optimization and AI recommendations.
Put your “story” on your site. There’s a reason why you started your business. People want to know who you are, how you got started and what’s important to you, so write up your story and add it to your site. Don’t forget the photos, both early and recent ones!
Small Business Spotlight
After 15 years, my brother is closing down his Firehouse-On-The-Run BBQ and general store in Black Forest, Colorado. Lots of reasons, but suffice it to say he’s sorry for the end of an era and for the disappointment his customers have expressed. But 15 years in business taught him a thing or two. He:
- Made customer service a number one priority by making things right as quickly as possible
- Ensured his staff were always paid in full and on time
- Built good relationships with vendors, knowing they were an instrumental part of his business
- Took good care of the construction and utility workers who showed up early for coffee and breakfast burritos
- Had the snow cleared, no matter what the weather, so customers could get in and out
- Donated to community events, law enforcement officers, fire and first responders
- Gave jobs to people who were down and out and couldn’t find work elsewhere
- Toughed it out in the slow season when bad weather slowed down customer visits
- And he hung in there!
As most small business owners do, he gave his heart and soul to the Firehouse-on-the-Run BBQ and General Store and the Black Forest Community. But I can tell you, he won’t be down for long.
What I’m Reading Right Now
Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling, by Matthew Dicks
I’ve learned from the best how powerful a good story can be. Whether you’re a frontline leader, CEO, pastor, priest, teacher, fundraiser, sales person or motivational speaker, stories can captivate minds and sway hearts. I’m putting this one in the “Keepers” section of my bookshelf. —Laura
From the book’s back cover: “In this compelling book, storyteller extraordinaire Matthew Dicks presents wonderfully straightforward and engaging tips and techniques for constructing, telling, and polishing stories that will hold the attention of your audience (no matter how big or small). He shows that anyone can learn to be an appealing storyteller, that everyone has something “story worthy” to express and, perhaps most important that the act of creating and telling a tale is a powerful way of understanding and enhancing your own life.”
“As you start to see importance and meaning in each day, you suddenly understand our importance to this world. You start to see how the meaningful moments that we experience every day contribute to the lives of others and to the world. You start to sense the critical nature of your very existence. There are no more throwaway days. Every day can change the world in some small way. In fact, every day has been changing the world for as long as you’ve been alive. You just haven’t noticed yet.” (Storyworthy, Pg. 53)
Who I’m Listening To
Straight from Wyoming, Skip Ewing: Country singer, songwriter, storyteller
I discovered Skip’s music years ago when my husband unpacked some old CDs. Then I found his newer songs on YouTube, ordered all his music and signed up for his email list. Yep, you could say, thanks to my hubby, I’m a big fan!
His folksy ballads and rousing tunes captured my attention and he became one of my favorites.
Listen to Me & God and a Fishing Pole: