A Saloonkeeper’s Daughter
I read over My Blogging Goal, in the sidebar. I think about how I’m doing and I have to say that I’m only half-way there. If my dad is the model for this saloonkeeper’s daughter, I might look like him in some ways, but there was more to him than met the eye.
Everyone says I’m the “nice one,” the “friendly one,” the “community builder.” That’s so cool, and I’m grateful for that. But, my dad liked it that I was smart. That’s what this blogging goal story is about.
My Blogging Goal: Part 2
My dad worked every day at the saloon. People asked him if he ever slept. He was there when they looked for him. He was family to them and so I was too.
That meant for my Christening, he rented a farm and hired a band. The entire saloon was there to celebrate. When it was my dance recital, everyone got tickets to come. At my college graduation dinner, the long table was filled with farmers and workers who sat at the bar every other day of the week.
On holidays we went to the fanciest restaurant in town. It was one block away from my dad’s saloon. At the end of the meal, my dad would take out a writing pad and ask who was working. He’d make a list, starting with the head chef ending with the busboy — once it was the same busboy who spilled a tray of water glasses all over me before dinner. Then he’d carefully calculate tips for every person working that day. I’d put out my hand, and he’d smile as he gave me a dollar too.
My dad was a most generous man. No doubt about that.
I asked him when I was about 13, why he did that — why he tipped everyone in the restaurant. He told me this. I give you $5, and you remember me. After work you walk one block to say thank you and spend some time talking. You have a drink at my saloon.
Even at 13 years old, I knew some folks didn’t do that. After all the busboy was too young to get into the saloon. But I also knew all of the folks — especially the busboy who spilled the water — remembered the $5.
My dad was a generous man. He didn’t expect folks to come. He gave freely.
He was also an intelligent and strategic marketer, because he loved the people he served. He understood his customers.
This year I’m out to prove that I’m my father’s daughter in that way too. I’m not just the nice one. I’m also stategic and intelligent marketer.
From my new business, Perfect Virtual Manager, I’m serving people I love and having fun doing it — showing folks how to connect authentically with customers, how to let customers see their energy, how to leave that proverbial $5 that brings folks back to say thanks and spend some time talking!
My Dad was born in 1907, that makes 2007 a special year. I can’t think of a better goal in his honor than to pass on what he taught me.
The nice, intelligent, strategic one.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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