Having been part of customer service work all my life, I know how hard it is to be in a service only business. I met these folks at an event we were mutually working, and I got to know them from that event and have had the pleasure of working with them a few times since.
We all know that customer service, especially in today's social media/pitch fork nation age, is extremely difficult. Everyone is looking for a reason to complain, act offended, get something for free, or prove they are an Internet "tough guy". Not nearly enough people are looking for things to compliment people on.
Why do I say this? Simple. After the one event I worked where a few people of this company were at, a friend of mine's 5 year old daughter was diagnosed with cancer. At the time, all we knew was that it was very treatable (and has since been cured for her). But, explain to a 5 year old how she is going to look sick and be tired all the time. That she is going to lose her hair from the treatment. The hair thing was her biggest fear, and it really stressed her out.
Her favorite princess was Elsa, and she was growing her hair long to have hair just like Elsa, but now, that was not going to happen. This is when it hit me. I knew these wonderful people that did performances as princesses, so I contacted them.
When I explained to one of the owners that I knew, exactly what was going on, she stopped me and basically said "where do you need me and what time?" I said we haven't even talked price yet and she followed that up with "and we're not going to. Just tell me when and where I need to be."
We talked some more and decided together that since hair was such a huge issue for the 5 year old, the owner was going to bring an Elsa wig for her, and teach her how to care for it, put it on, etc.
The day came and when Elsa walked through the door, the look on the newly turned 6 year old little girls face was priceless. Chemo had been kicking her butt. She was crabby, tired and didn't want to be around anyone, until Elsa.
Elsa spent an hour with her and the few others that were there. AN HOUR of her own personal time to make this little girl feel special and strong. To reinvigorate a strange 6 year old and her family. The adults had tears of joy from that hour and what it meant to her. They read stories, played, did stuff with the wig. It was incredible. All this because it was the right thing to do for a little girl. No press coverage, no money, nothing. read more
