One of the greatest business lessons I ever learned…
I learned when I was about 8-9 years old.
My brother was around 11.
We were two little immigrant kids with very thick European accents.
One of our weekly jobs was washing Dad’s car with dishwashing liquid, sponges and a bucket of water.
One weekend we looked at each other and thought…
“What if we washed other people’s cars for money?”
We asked Mum and Dad.
They smiled and said,
“Why not?”
So off we went, door to door, knocking on neighbours houses.
I still remember standing there with this huge cheesy smile, speaking in a thick European accent.
“Excuse me, sir…”
“Would… would you like… your car wash… for five dollars?” 😇
And every yes felt like we’d won the lottery. 🤩
After we’d finished washing a car, one kind man said,
“Hang on a minute…”
“I’ve got a friend a couple doors down, let me call him and see if he wants you to come wash his car.”
A few moments later he came back and smiled.
“He’d love his car washed too.”
So we packed up our little bucket and walked to the next house.
That day something clicked.
From then on, after every single car we washed, we’d ask…
“Do you know anybody else close who would like their car wash too please?” 😇
And those referrals welcomed us with much more kindness than new clients did on our first knock on their door.
Then one weekend another man said something that completely changed our little business.
He looked at our bucket & dish soap and laughed.
“I’ll let you wash my car…”
“But you need to use my products.”
He brought out proper car wash liquid & fancy sponges, all the good stuff.🤩
I remember thinking…
“Ohhh… so this is how you’re supposed to wash a car.”
That afternoon my brother and I counted every dollar we’d earned, added our savings and asked dad to drive us to the car shop.
And we bought our very first professional car washing kit.
The next weekend we went back out with the same cute & cheesy smiles.
Only this time we proudly held up our kit and said…
“Excuse me…”
“Would you like your car wash with professional car washing… for only six dollars?” 😇
Looking back…
I realised we unknowingly built our little business on two principles that still stand the test of time today.
The first…
Ask for referrals.
The second…
Reinvest into creating an even better experience & service.
It’s funny…
But these two lessons have probably created more financial abundance in my life than most advanced marketing strategies ever have.
When someone has a beautiful experience with you…
Ask if they know someone who would genuinely love your work too.
And you can even offer a voucher for $X towards your services as a thank you.
Plus keep asking yourself…
How can I make this experience even more amazing for my clients?
Could you create a bonus resource?
Could you turn their homework into a beautiful AI infographic?
Could you support them just a little more than they expected?
People don’t just remember great information and skills …
They remember how you made them feel.
I believe the future of sacred business…
Is remembering some of the wisdom that has worked well through all the ages. 💛
Algorithms will change.
Platforms will come and go.
AI will continue to evolve.
But one thing will never go out of style…
A beautiful human being who genuinely cares. 🥹🥰
Someone who leaves people feeling more seen, more supported, and more loved than they expected.
Because people don’t just buy a service; they remember an experience.
And beautiful experiences have always been worth sharing.
Therefore, the future of business…
Is actually becoming more human.
Opening our hearts even more to the people we serve.
Even though that can feel vulnerable sometimes. 🙈🤍
Because your greatest asset has never been your marketing.
It’s always been you. 🤍🔑🍃
