Here in Nha Trang, Vietnam, a haircut experience showed me something valuable about running a business.
My husband needed a quick fix for a previous haircut. We picked a salon with great Google ratings (4.9/5), but what happened next was unexpected.
Despite telling them clearly that it was my husband who needed the haircut, the staff kept asking if I wanted one too. Then asked if we needed shampooing maybe (they charge extra for that). The stylist rushed through my husband’s haircut in just 10 minutes, and the results were… well, let’s just say my amateur attempts looked better.
It got me thinking about how businesses sometimes lose sight of what matters. While upselling isn’t inherently bad (I used to encourage this in my former job), it shouldn’t come at the cost of your main service.
This really hit home when I compared it to our local Banh Mi shop. They do things differently:
– They make great sandwiches with quality ingredients
– They serve everyone with genuine warmth
– They keep their prices reasonable
– They let their work speak for itself
We go back there almost daily, not because they pressure us, but because they’re consistently good at what they do.
The whole experience reminded me of a few simple truths about business:
– Focus on doing your main thing well
– Take care of the customer in front of you
– Let quality bring people back
I rarely leave negative reviews on Google, preferring to highlight excellent experiences instead. But this time, I felt compelled to share my experience, hoping it might encourage the business to return to basics: good service and quality work.
Here’s what I’ve come to believe: running a successful business isn’t about chasing every possible sale – it’s about creating moments that matter. Every interaction is a chance to show someone they made the right choice in choosing you. When you pour your heart into your work and treat people with genuine care, something magical happens. Customers don’t just come back; they become part of your story, and you become part of theirs.
Like our Banh Mi friends who infuse every sandwich with care and warmth, you too can create something special. Start small, stay consistent, and remember – every customer who walks through your door is an opportunity to make a difference, one interaction at a time. Guess what! That makes your work so much more fulfilling and enjoyable too.
