Branding Yourself & Building A Connection

             So, in regards to the Cracker Jack Set's idea, it a way of doing something nice.  A free hat or gloves to long with a coat or a vest.  A give -away, prize or  a gift that is always appreciated by the consumer.  Maybe, a free coat to show appreciation for patronage.  Or maybe a free set of headphones.   Or better yet, why not a free phamplet that will help save on your next cruise!!!  Anything to say thank you!      Of course, there are some rules that may apply.  Just like when you go to the nail salon or any department store, the number of times you make a  purchase.  For instance, some stores give you a card that has your own unique number on it that identify who you are.      When you submit the card, that has the store name and logo  you get credit.  After so many times of purchase, you either get cash back or a free gift.  In some case, the boutique or nail salon may give you a card that has holes that either needs to be punched or marked t

So as I was looking through my own inventory, I had to ask myself, "is my products worth the money?" I mean, I have shopped online before and experienced a "hit or miss."  In which, there were times I wasn't so  happy with the merchandise that I brought.  So, I requested my money back.  You know a refund.  Of course, the online store wouldn't give me my money back unless they received their product back. It is understandable.  Major department stores do the same thing.  You bring back the merchandise and you get your refund. This also led me to ask myself as a customer, "what reason would I request a refund?"  For starters; I would request a refund if the merchandise was the wrong color, size or did not fit. I would request a refund if the merchandise was poor quality I would request a refund just because. Does the customer or consumers have a right to these options?  Yes! Absolutely!  End of story!  Customers are people and people a

           The main reason why I decided to open up a store was because I got tired of being a slave to an establishment.  I got tired of being un-appreciated to an organization.  It was coming very painful coming to work day end and day out.  I couldn't take vacation when I wanted to.  I always had to give a reason why I don't feel well.  I had to give a reason why I can't come in today.  My supervisors did not care if my children were sick.  My supervisors did not care If I did not have a babysitter.                         I realized that in no shape or form was I ever going to be worth anything to anybody but myself.  I went to work everyday.  I went to work in the snow, rain, sleet and hail.  I went to work sick, tired and many times had bronchitis.  I realized that no one cared about me what so ever. Even, the people that I supervised  did not care whether I lived or die.  They were glad that I did not come to work so they did not have to work.   

Growing up as a child, I couldn't wait for the school bell ring. Constantly being told not to chew gum in class. Or told by my teachers to grow my gum out. I mean before I get to school I would stop at the corner store and buy one of my favorite candy. For sure, bazooka bubble gum was one of my favorites. Sure, like many kids growing up I found candy like jaw breakers, reeses peanut butter cup, almond joy, and Boston baked beans one of my favorites but it wasn't nothing like open up bazooka bubble gum and couldn't wait to read what was inside in it. Man oh man that was the good old days. I mean in the 1960s and early 1970s, everything seem like a childhood dream. Yes, I can tell you is that my most favorite candies were jolly rancher, chico sticks, milky way and almond joy candy bars. Besides being greeted by that friendly sailor who always had his hat on waiting to salute you every time. I mean, in my mind, I would go “oh boy what’s inside?” Of course t