We Like Close-Up Marketing

When my daughter and I opened a coffee shop five years ago, it was a test not only of the economic viability of the venture but also of our relationship as mother and 22 year old daughter in business partnership. Not only were we partners, being the only employees for more than the first year, we worked together 45 of the 70 we each worked weekly. Oh, right. She is the primary owner and manager of this shop which means she is my boss.

After the first few months of walking on eggs around each other, and occasionally breaking one or two, we finally fell into a routine together that rivaled the most loved television sitcoms. If we had had any time or energy left on our one day the shop was closed each week (we are now open seven days a week), we would have set up a video camera to record our days and then posted them on youtube. I am convinced that our mother-daughter/boss-employee banter, which our customers giggled at and grew to endear, would eventually have been able to be marketed as a gourmet coffee shop reality show, making us a tidy sum. By the time we were in a place to set up such a scheme, we had so many employees that we ended up not working together much anymore. Now I only work for her off-site. I think our banter is often missed.

Today I read “Are you ready for your close-up?” in Entrepreneur online, about using video online to market a business. In my mind, there is no better close up than reality. If your business can be real and honest on the world wide web, you will reap unending benefits. And if you need any tips, talk to someone like Becca or me. We could give you an earful about how to be the you that everyone loves. Close-up.

(so what is this great little coffee shop? The Hard Bean Cafe in Grandview, MO)