Lesson Learned

To begin with, I am thoroughly enjoying my new job–in case you were wondering!

I am meeting fabulous people, crossing state lines left and right, and being treated like the celebrity that I am!

During training we were asked what we wanted out of this experience, and I think I should document what I said in this here blog:

“I want to learn/experience something new/different in each town I encounter.”

OK a lot of slashes, but you feel me right?!

So far, done and done!

Yesterday we had a charity event at a vocational school for handicapped adults. Before our arrival we were told that during their planning meeting the students unanimously decided they wanted US there. Needless to say, they were VERY excited that we could attend their $100 Hot dog event.

They day before this event we drove 5 hours from Indiana to work at a retail event in Wisconsin. We ran our summer promotion but not all were having fun. I felt overwhelmed and I couldn’t figure out why. I found myself answering the same questions over and over. And leaving people disappointed, although their reactions were out of my control.

It wasn’t until yesterday that I realized why I couldn’t please everyone the day before.

We rolled into the vocational school early on Friday morning. We were so tired and the skies looked gray and cloudy. The event was barely set-up when we arrived and we were informed that the event would not start for anouther hour and a half. Boo! Why were we there so early? Sleep! A girl needs sleep! Oh well! We rolled with it.

We were set-up and were ready to go. While we waited for everyone to arrive we gave tours and answered questions of the other vendors. Then! The $100 Hot Dog fair began.

In the small parking lot there were a dozen tables selling 50 cent popcorn, “I survived Hot Dog Day” t-shirts and displaying little games like “Flip the Duck” and other carnival-esque games.

It was a simple set-up.

We’ve seen bigger.

We’ve seen better.

But we’ve never met people like we met at the $100 Hot Dog.

And the one thing that separated the attendants at this charity event from those at the retail events was simple: They never wanted M O R E.

What is wrong with being happy with what just is?

So many times we want more, we want it the easy way, we want to milk it for all it’s worth.

I’ve done it.

But why?

The pure excitement of our presence in the vocational school community was contagious. Talking about my job, asking them about their’s, taking their pictures, handing out free prizes and breaking down the “embarrassment” barrier was SO MUCH FUN!

The company I work for was one of the first companies to use mobile marketing. I don’t know any other company that gives so much back to consumers. The experience they give back is priceless. To create memories through a brand, to bring a nostalgic feel to a company, to connect at the store doors with consumers is extremely difficult to do—especially since it is hard to keep a company around for over 100 years–but the mobile marketing I am doing does all of the above.

And the $100 Hot dog crowd gets that. They were happy we were there. They were happy we travelled the country to hang out with them. They were happy to get something free! They were happy to talk to us and share their stories with us.

It was so simple.

It was a lesson learned in Racine, Wisconsin.

From now on I will wear my purple “I Survived Hot Dog Day” with pride and remember what I learned from those fabulous people.