I went to B&Q yesterday to buy some more paint for Isla's bedroom. I had to queue for the paint mixing again and couldn't help overhearing, Sue, the Valspar lady explaining paint options to the people in front of me. I went there earlier in the week and found the whole experience a little weird and the guy mixing paint was grumpy and not very helpful. Sue was amazing! When it was my turn I had to make decisions about what type of finish I wanted the wood paint to be for the trim. I asked what the difference was between gloss and silk because it was hard to tell from their samples, so she excitedly took me across the shop to an employee only door that was painted in the gloss paint so I could see what it looked like in real life. She then explained that because it is acrylic based and not oil based, it's not quite as shiny as some people expect. While she was mixing paint she had a conversation with one of her colleagues about how they really should start some painting classes where people could pay to paint bird houses and things with their range of paint. She brightened my day by caring about her job and making sure she did it with excellence. I wish I had taken a photo of her for my blog.
I love it when I meet someone who works in a normal job and is just amazing at it. It's quietly inspirational. We were in Homesense (probably my favourite shop) the other day and I was upstairs. I was carrying a biggish item around with me and one of the employees noticed and asked me if she could take it downstairs and put it by the tills for me? Amity said to me, I think she's the nicest Homesense person ever.
Another time that stands out to me was when we were in Cape Town and had just driven through a really windy mountain pass. Amity felt really sick and we stopped the car in a little strip of shops and she got out and threw up all over the ground near a restaurant. One of the workers, rushed out with a bucket of water, some soap and paper towels and helped me clean her up. It was so unexpected and such a kind gesture. The next day, we were in McDonald's and she had a coughing fit and one of their employees brought her a cup of water just because they noticed.
I hope if I do end up running my own business, that I remember the importance of noticing people and really seeing them. Of caring enough to do it with excellence and to go beyond people's expectations. I'm sure I won't always get it right but I'm going to provide exceptional service and hopefully a bit of joy and inspiration along the way.
My quote for today is “Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends.” – Walt Disney
My photo for today is a shout out to Sue at B&Q, even though I don't know her. If you ever need paint mixed in Grantham, she's amazing.
Comments