As business owners, managers, and employees, there are a million things on the to-do list. We get it.
In fact, we find ourselves having the same conversations at the PACT office all the time. What could we be doing better? What project needs attention next? What’s slipping through the cracks?
Self-reflection is important. Businesses that never stop to evaluate what they’re doing aren’t likely to grow. But sometimes we spend so much time focusing on what needs fixed that we forget to recognize what’s already working. That was the direction we took during our most recent Business Before Hours meeting.
For those who aren’t familiar, Business Before Hours and Business After Hours are monthly networking and educational opportunities hosted by PACT throughout the year. The meetings alternate between and morning and evening to try to be available for as many people as possible. We always make time to share information about grants, programs, resources, and opportunities that can help local businesses. A recent example is the Marketing Materials Grant, which we recently extended to give businesses a little extra time to apply.
Those updates will always be part of these meetings. But we’re also trying to make them more interactive. Let’s be honest, nobody wants to sit through an hour of us talking at them while they mentally build a grocery list or wonder how many emails are waiting when they get back to the office.
So this month’s activity was called “Steal My Best Idea”
Everyone took a few minutes to think about something they do really well in their business. Maybe it’s customer service. Maybe it’s social media. Maybe it’s merchandising, events, communication, or something unique to their industry. Then everyone shared. The goal wasn’t to brag. It was to create conversations. If someone heard an idea they wanted to try themselves, they could ask questions. If someone was doing something particularly well, it gave the group a chance to learn from them. And honestly, as business owners, we don’t always stop long enough to celebrate the things we’re doing right.
Turns out there was plenty worth celebrating.
The Quilted Frog
Denise shared that one of her strengths is being able to quickly get a feel for shoppers and what they’re looking for shortly after they walk through the door.
She also mentioned that her Jelly Roll Rug Maker continues to be one of her best sellers, which sparked a surprisingly lively conversation about point-of-sale systems and tracking inventory.
The group talked quite a bit about Denise’s creativity, too. Her DIY kits consistently outperform many pre-packaged options and that conversation led to a few ideas for video content she could create to showcase that creativity even more.
Gypsy Quarter
Stacy highlighted the way Gypsy Quarter collects customer information and actually uses it through their rewards program and email newsletters.
She also talked about something that sounds simple but often gets overlooked: keeping a Google Business Profile updated. Hours, photos, business information, posts. It’s not the most exciting thing on the to-do list, but it matters, and she’s intentional about staying on top of it.
Jim Irelan Men’s Wear
When it was Bob’s turn, he immediately said, “Customer service.”
The reaction around the room was pretty much unanimous.
“Yep.”
Jim Irelan Men’s Wear has been around for decades for a reason, and Bob and his team are a huge part of that story.
He also reminded everyone that some marketing tactics we think of as old-fashioned still work really, really well. People still window shop. Bob said they refresh their windows about every two weeks, and often whenever new merchandise arrives. More often than not, something gets put in the window and sells shortly after.
Maybe not everything needs to be a Reel.
Bonnie’s Needful Things
Bonnie shared that she’s particularly proud of her window displays and her ability to create eye-catching product combinations, even with limited space.
She also talked about the success she sees from her live videos. Consistency has been key, and many of those videos lead directly to sales almost immediately after she posts them.
Another thing she mentioned was something many customers appreciate more than business owners realize: consistent hours. People notice when they can count on you being open when you say you’ll be open.
Acorns & Twigs
As one of our newer PACT members and a newer brick-and-mortar business, Acorns & Twigs brought a fresh perspective to the conversation.
Heather shared that communication and customer service are major strengths for their business, both online and in-store. They’re great about including bag stuffers and personalized touches with purchases, and they do an excellent job helping customers find products and artistic mediums that fit their interests.
One thing we love about meetings like this is seeing newer business owners connect with people who have been doing it for decades. The newer businesses gain insight from years of experience, while long-time business owners get fresh ideas and perspectives they might not have considered otherwise.
One of my favorite parts of the exercise was watching the conversation build naturally. Someone would mention something they were proud of, and another business owner would immediately have a question, an idea, or a compliment to add. It wasn’t forced networking or a room full of people pretending to have it all figured out. It was simply business owners sharing what works. While it was a relatively small group, everyone walked away with a few new ideas and a reminder that some of the best business advice comes from people facing many of the same challenges you are. The conversation generated plenty of action items, but they felt exciting rather than overwhelming, which is a pretty good outcome for a Wednesday morning.
Before wrapping up, everyone drew a PACT Challenge card.
These challenges are completely optional, but they’re designed to encourage business owners to tackle something that often falls by the wayside when things get busy. Maybe it’s updating your Google Business Profile, posting a customer spotlight, trying a new social media idea, or finally checking something off that marketing to-do list you’ve been meaning to get around to. The bonus is that everyone else at the meeting is working on a challenge too, so there’s a little built-in accountability.
One of the best parts of Business Before Hours and Business After Hours is simply having the opportunity to connect with other business owners. Sometimes you leave with a practical idea you can implement the next day. Sometimes you realize other people are facing the same challenges you are. And sometimes you just get a chance to celebrate a win with people who understand what it takes to run a business. Our next meeting will be Business After Hours on July 15 at 5:15 p.m. at the PACT office. Whether you’re a long-time business owner, a new employee, or somewhere in between, we’d love to have you join us.
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