Disclosure: Compensation was provided by State Farm via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of State Farm.
One thing I really love about where I live is we have a beautiful downtown…one of those Main Street USA places that you don’t see too often anymore.
There’s lots of restaurants, cute little shops, a gazebo, an art center…and it’s all walking distance from my house. I feel so lucky to live in a place that has such a beautiful Green.
I have a few restaurants and stores that I love, but my favorite of all is a cute little clothing boutique, Swank on Bank (far right).
The reason? Customer service!
I’ve known the owner, Lyn, for probably fourteen or fifteen years now. She originally worked in another clothing boutique downtown that I liked, although the customer service there could be spotty, depending on who was working. If Lyn was there, I knew I would get taken care of. Someone else, not so much.
When that store closed, Lyn opened up her own store down the street, Swank on Bank.
At this point, Lyn knows me by name, and over the years, she’s gotten to know my style. She never tries to sell me something that isn’t quite right. Many times I’ve left her store with nothing.
Once I was shopping with my teenage daughter, who is much more fashionable than I, and she picked out something she wanted me to try on for an event. Lyn took one look, and shook her head. She knew it wasn’t for me.
When I go in there, I usually need something for a specific event. I’m not a shopper. I seldom go to the mall, and I don’t love to try on clothes. I’m not great at putting great outfits together. But Lyn has helped me create a style of my own. She picks out things for me that I’d never pick out myself, but I really end up liking. In fact, I have a wrap top in a bright and bold print that I never in a million years would have tried on if Lyn hadn’t suggested it. I’m so glad she did. It’s my favorite clothing item in my closet.
It’s a talent to be able to see that something is right for someone, even when the person doesn’t know it themselves.
Although I work out of the house for the most part now, it wasn’t always that way. I used to do a lot of traveling to conferences, and I often had to speak in front of large crowds of people.
You can’t really get up and speak wearing your comfy “Mom” jeans. Or flannel pajama pants, for that matter.
I could share countless times that I have gone in Lyn’s store for an outfit for an event. But the one that stands out the most was the time I went in needing something for an event I was speaking at. This was the FIRST time I ever spoke in public, in front of a crowd of hundreds. Having never done it before, I was nervous. Terrified even. I practiced my talk countless hours in front of a mirror. But as much as that helped, the fact that I had a personal shopper in Lyn to help find me an outfit I’d feel confident in was just as important. I cannot even begin to tell you what that did for me that day. But it was big.
As a result, Lyn’s store has now become my go-to spot for any event for which I need an outfit, whether a business conference, a fundraising event or a special party. I’d never even think to go somewhere else.
Lyn epitomizes the term #GoodNeighbor. I’ve never had a customer service experience quite like it anywhere else!
[Tweet “Teaming up with State Farm to say thanks to a local business that goes the extra mile! #GoodNeighbor”]
Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by State Farm via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of State Farm.
Emily
Tuesday 14th of October 2014
very cool!! what a neat campaign to promote and help local businesses!!
Nicole
Monday 13th of October 2014
I love your photo of Main Street! :) How cute is that? Great job supporting local business!
Deanna Ritz
Monday 13th of October 2014
Having excellent customer service makes all the difference in the world! When people go the extra mile for you then you remember them and their business and want to go back to them. Great article!
Jessica (Savory Experiments)
Monday 6th of October 2014
Your downtown is picturesque! It is great you have that relationship... it is like always shopping with a friend.
Angela
Monday 6th of October 2014
Supporting local is so important! I love shining a little light on the small businesses that I love... its so hard to get by as it is, any help is much appreciated no doubt.