We Want to Delight You

ByAmyFay Chandler

“The hallmark of innovation is surprise. No surprise, nothing new. Nothing new, no interest. No interest, no value. Therefore, creating surprise is a crucial step in creating value through innovation.”

— Marty Neumeier, The 46 Rules of Genius: An Innovator’s Guide to Creativity

For New Year’s my husband and I decided to discover a new old place. We’ve been watching it undergo a transformation for months – well, more like years.

The Louis (Loo-ee) is a new boutique hotel – on an old town square in Wilson, Arkansas.

We had been so curious about it! When it first opened I remember seeing the valets ready to park your car – 10 feet away.

16 suites – all on the second floor – and just 2 of them occupied for New Year’s Eve.

After we checked in and checked out every nook and cranny – and of course, took a video for our moms – we discovered the first beautiful arrangement of food in the hallway. Little pork tenders wrapped with bacon and dry rub, a charcuterie tray representing every food group in a tiny perfect way, cookies too big for anyone wrapped and ready to eat later… sweet tea, lemonade…

And then later the knock on our door with little brownie fudge treats on a plate – and yes, more down the hall…

You know I could hardly wait to see the breakfast. It wasn’t like I was hungry – I was just excited to see what they created!

Surprises are fun. Unexpected thoughtful little touches that simply say, “We want to delight you,” bring smiles to our faces… hearts.

You delight your customers every day.

Now it’s our turn.

xoxo,
❤️ AmyFay

Meatloaf sandwich anyone?

OK – this only has to do with surprise, delight and food.

Wilson, Arkansas has some amazing food especially for not even having a traffic light. The chef’s lunch special at the Grange (across the railroad tracks from the town square) was a meatloaf sandwich.

I don’t know if the description had me at bacon or their pickled onions from the garden out back – but this was beyond all expectations!

I thought we were going to have to put half in our cooler – but my husband ate his pork sandwich – and my second half. Can we say nap time?

“Surprise and delight and connection are remarkable.”

— Seth Godin

I’m AmyFay Chandler, a Knoxville-based wholesale sales rep serving independent retailers in Tennessee and Kentucky through Tango Showroom. I also represent Sweet Tree Jewelry and Caroline B Cook nationwide. Before I became a rep, I built two T-shirt lines, ran my own retail business, bought home and gift for Elder’s Ace Hardware, and worked with Werner Frank. I have been the maker, buyer, retailer, rep, and person at the register, so I evaluate every line from the store floor first.

I write the Morning Retail Tidbit and Friday Retail Tidbits to help local retailers buy smarter, merchandise with intention, and keep their stores valuable.

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