With all the negativity and chaos in the world today, it is important that we share stories of light and generosity and collaboration. Our relationships with family, friends, and community members are critical for our health, well-being and happiness. And of course our business success, too! I’ve got a great story to share with you today about two of my colleagues, the value of networking and the joy of paying-it-forward by creating win-win experiences…
I got a surprise package in the mail last week. That’s always exciting, isn’t it?
I saw on the return label that it was from my realtor, Sara Nguyen. I adore Sara, and she is always sending cool emails and eye-catching snail mail, not the boring things that a lot of realtors send (part of why she is a top producer nationwide for her company). For example, just today, she sent me a postcard of the upcoming Olympics events and what sports are on what days. Very helpful!
But this was different. It looked like a present. Fun!
Sure enough, when I opened it, there was a note inside that started off “Christmas in July!” along with a note lamenting the horrid heat in Texas and invoking dreams of cooler winter temps. (I’m right there with you, Sara!) She went on to say that she was giving me the gift of a product that she really liked and believed in…two Norwex microfiber cleaning cloths.
I was thrilled because I already like and use Norwex products. I bought some last year from the awesome Erin Mahaffey. Sure enough, when I turned over the package, Erin’s contact information was listed as the Norwex representative. But when I got to thinking about it, I saw what an incredible opportunity that Sara had given Erin by choosing to purchase her products to give to her clients.
I sent Sara a text immediately to say “thank you” for the awesome gift. And then it dawned on me to ask her if she had met Erin at Sienna Women in Business, the networking group that I started almost 2 years ago, and she said yes. That was music to my ears! (I love knowing that I’ve helped to create a space that is a catalyst for other women to build relationships and do business together. Cool!)
Do you see how powerful networking can be? Sara could have easily gone to a local big box store, bought some cool cleaning cloths and sent them to her clients. Same note, similar gift, with the goal of keeping her name in front of her clients.
But because she met Erin in our networking group, and has learned to know, like and trust her… and her products. Sara made the decision to buy in bulk from Erin and gave her a marketing opportunity as well. She gave her real estate clients a better quality product and an introduction to a saleswoman that she feels good about recommending other people to. And because Sara bought in bulk, Erin made sure to give her the best possible deal on the products and threw in some bonus extras to say thanks for the business. Win-Win!
Sara is a Pay It Forward kind of gal and that’s exactly what she did. I checked in with Erin this week and she told me that she’s hoping to garner some new business as a result of the mailing that Sara sent out. Of course that will make Erin happy and I know it would make Sara happy, too. She’s a naturally generous person and it shows through in how she runs her real estate business (including her client retention strategy!) No doubt, Erin will likely refer some potential clients to Sara down the road because of the success of this collaborative effort.
Can you think of a time in your life where you paid it forward or where you were the recipient of someone who paid it forward to you?
- Have you ever paid the toll for the car behind you in line? Or their coffee? Or even their lunch? Last week, a friend of mine bought lunch for 5 police officers at Chipotle because she just felt like it.
- Have you ever stopped to help someone in need? A mom with a screaming baby in the store? An elderly person crossing the street? A car stranded by the side of the road? A few years ago, I was driving my mom to MDAnderson during her cancer treatment and I got a flat tire. A thoughtful cowboy (I do live in Texas, y’all!) stopped to help us and offered to change my tire.
- Have you ever made a meal for a neighbor with a new baby? A sick friend? Someone who’s new to the neighborhood? I organized a meal delivery for my sick neighbor last year and was amazed at the number of people in the community who signed up to bring meals who never even knew the family.
Revitalizing Action: Think about any experiences you’ve had with Paying It Forward. How did they make you feel? Commit to Paying It Forward this week to at least one person (maybe more!) and tell me how it goes! Send me an email or tell me about it over on Facebook!
Here’s to Paying It Forward!
Elizabeth
P.S. And if you have no clue what I’m talking about, watch the movie Pay It Forward with Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment. Worth your time!
P.P.S. And no matter where you live, if you want to check out the amazing Norwex product line, be sure to check out Erin Mahaffey’s website. And if you’re Houston based and need to buy or sell a home, Sara Nguyen is a rockstar.