Personalized Service

My daughter decided to get married sooner than the original plans of next year.  In fact, they gave me about a week and a half to get everything ready for a small wedding witht the magistrate and then a reception at a local restaurant.

The restaurant we chose was one that we frequent often.  It has a small room that they use for banquets, parties and small receptions.  I really had no clue to what we were eating, or how to go about it.  One of the owners, Sherri, helped me choose a luncheon menu as well as adding their special that day of Angus sirloin.  She said the room would seat about 30 people.  She would have linen cloths on all the tables, with lit candles and linens napkins.  We decided on appetizers and an open bar.  I explained that I would have favors, a cake and a card box that would need to be set out also.  She said to deliver it Friday morning and she would have everything ready for 2:30 that afternoon.

I arrived with the cake, favors and card box at 11:00.  I must have been nervous because she said she would put on the cake top if I would like her to.  She took everything from my hands, told me to relax and she would see me at 2:30.

After the wedding, we arrived for the reception.  The candles were lit, the cake was topped, all the favors were at the table and everything was beautiful.  She had assigned two waitresses to handle everything and popped in several times to ask me if everything was okay or if we needed anything.  The dirty plates and glasses were whisked away as everyone talked, laughed, took pictures and had a great time.  When it was time to cut the cake, the waitresses were there again to cut and serve everyone after the bridal couple cut the cake.  I was stress free and enjoyed myself tremendously.

What made me so comfortable?  Sherri consulted me about when to pass out the personalized menus.  We decided on a serving time once everyone was there.  She had the appetizers served so people wouldn’t be starving until the meal was ready.  She was constantly checking to see if there was anything needed.  She even gave my 2 year granddaughter a cup of goldfish crackers and apple juice to tide her over.  She made sure my granddaughter had a kid’s meal that she could eat. She was attentive and on top of things.  When her shift was over, she introduced me to her sister (the other owner) who took over.  Her sister was just on top of things as Sherri had been.

This was a pleasant experience because the owners cared about their business and their reputation.  They made the customer feel important on a very special day.  They went out of their way to make sure the tiniest detail was taken care of down to the topper on the cake and the favors on the table.  They were the epitome of personal service and salesmanship.  This is definitely an example of how to stay in business.

Have you had a good experience with a small business?