What if I told you that two old shirts can change your life… I’ll prove it…
A gentleman came into the shop, no fanfare, no big announcement. Just a quiet visit. He introduced himself to me, and when he said his name was Randy, it clicked. This was the original owner of The Kitchen Technician. The man who started it all.
We chatted for a while, about the business, the changes over the years, and the core values that still hold strong. After our conversation and a bit of a tour of the shop and showroom, he asked me if we could step outside for a minute.
We went out to his truck, he went to the back and then, he reached in and then… he pulled out two shirts. Not just any shirts.
These were the original shirts from when The Kitchen Technician first opened its doors. He handed them to me and said he wanted me to have them.
That moment didn’t just mark a handover of two shirts, it marked a timeless truth about business success that I think every entrepreneur should hear.”
What struck me wasn’t just that Randy came in. It was that he felt something familiar. That how we treat our customers, the way we operate, the energy we bring, it resonated with him. It reminded him of how he ran the business. That alignment, that shared respect for the craft and the customer, is what gave him the confidence to hand over that piece of history.
I’ve been thinking about that moment ever since. It stuck with me…and it got me thinking more broadly about what makes a business last.
Longevity is more than about time. It’s about trust. It’s about showing up, consistently, with integrity. It’s about treating people right, not just when it’s convenient, but especially when it’s not.
The truth is, every great business is built on relationships. The conversations. The handshakes. The way a customer feels when the job is done. That’s the real currency. And in today’s world, where everything moves fast, AI seems to be everywhere, that kind of personal touch means more than ever.
Whether it’s a review online, or a conversation at a backyard BBQ, people talk! Word of mouth has always been the most powerful marketing tool, and it still is. It’s just evolved. Today, a review can reach hundreds. A referral can happen in a Facebook group. But the principle hasn’t changed: deliver a great experience, and your customers will carry your name further than any ad campaign ever could.
That’s what Randy built. That’s what I’m proud to continue. And that’s why every customer interaction matters.
So, if you’re reading this and you’re running a business, big or small… my advice is simple: Make your customers feel like they matter. Because they do. And if you do it right, they’ll remember you, they’ll refer you, and they’ll stay with you. Sometimes even decades later.
Just like Randy did, just as I do now… just like every company that wants your business should too!
“If you’ve got a story like Randy’s, or if you’ve been part of our journey as a customer, I’d love to hear it. After all, it’s these stories that keep businesses like ours alive and thriving.”
