10 Easy Ways to Show Your Customers and Team Your Appreciation

There are so many things, people, and pets to be thankful for when you’re a pet business owner, aren’t there? 

But two groups of people specifically come to mind, and those are the people who literally make your business possible. 

First up, your team.

Your team is made up of people you trust to lean on when you know delegation is necessary. They often care about the dream pet business you started and your customers almost as much as you do. They make every day in your pet business easier and more manageable. 

Recognizing your employees when they work hard, show dedication, or just because builds a welcoming and comfortable company culture. Not only that, but showing appreciation for your team ensures your employees that they are important and valued and motivates them to keep doing a good job.

Teamwork indeed makes the dream work, but do you know who else makes the dream work? 

Your customers, of course! 

Your customers trust you and your team with the wellness of their beloved pets. They believe in you enough to spend their hard-earned dollars supporting your business. They are the reason your doors (virtual or physical) remain open! 

Celebrating your customers all year round is always a good thing! Without them… where would you be?! 

As we head into a season of thankfulness, showing them your appreciation is likely front of mind, but how can you show them that you’re grateful for them every day? 

Here are some ideas to show your team and your customers just how much you appreciate them all year round!

For your team:

Cute homemade gifts 

A simple printout with a small gift or gift card attached is all it takes to brighten your team member’s day and remind them of your appreciation. A great place to search for ideas is Pinterest! Check out this “Cup of Gratitude” coffee gift idea or this “You’re the Balm” gift bag. The punnier, the better, and there are tons of great ideas waiting for you to find them (or think of them on your own)! 

We even take the ease one step further if you’re a Pet Boss Club member by creating Canva templates you can customize or use as is. Here are a few examples: 

Host an award ceremony 

Recognizing small (or big) wins simply by offering a reward and a small prize will promote a fun and inclusive work culture! 

You can host an actual award ceremony for your employees or create certificates and snap a photo to share on social media. Here are just some fun examples: 

🏆 The Early Bird Award→ For your most punctual employee. Being on time is important!

🏆 The Social Media Star→ For the employee who is snapping pics, recording videos, and helping you keep your social media feed fresh and exciting! 

🏆 The Friendliest Face→ For the employee who always has a greeting and a smile ready for your customers. 

What specific wins do you notice within your team? Award them for it! 

Create a “kudos board.”

This can be as simple as a whiteboard or bulletin board in your breakroom, OR put it front and center where customers can see. Encourage your staff to compliment each other’s strengths on the board and give each other kudos where kudos are due. Be sure, as the leader, to update the board with your observations often! 

Having words of appreciation written out in front of your team will surely be a welcome motivator. 

Provide employee perks. 

Survey your team and ask what their favorite snacks and drinks are, and then keep those stocked in the breakroom. Give your team opportunities to earn prizes, extra time off, or something else they’d appreciate. Provide coffee for your morning team and pizza for your closers every third Friday of the month. Give your employee of the month a prime parking spot! 

These are all ideas for employee perks that let your team know that you value them and keeps positivity in the workplace flowing! What would your team love as an employee perk?

Go on an outing. 

Taking your team out on the town doubles as an appreciation gesture AND a team-building exercise. Get these outings on the calendar regularly to show your team you want to treat them to something fun while getting to know them better outside of the workplace. 

This could look like a nice dinner, a spa day, bowling, axe throwing, a paint-your-pet session– endless possibilities! You can even have your team vote on the next adventure. 

For your Customers

Write personal thank you letters.

Do not underestimate the power of a personalized written note! Thank your customers with an actual thank you letter, and maybe throw a coupon inside for the next time they loyally shop. Use holiday cards if the time of year calls for it to add some festive flair!

Literally, roll out the red carpet. 

Host a “VIP” themed night event for your most loyal customers! This is the ultimate customer appreciation event that features food, games, fun, and special offers that’ll remind your customer exactly why they choose to support your small business. 

Plus, imagine the photo opportunities that await such a special event!

Snail mail or email gift certificates. 

Everyone loves free money, especially if it can be spent at a store they shop at anyway! Sneak an extra special surprise into your VIP customers’ mailbox (or inbox). Even $5 will do! They will appreciate the gesture, and they’ll have a reason to come visit! 

Create a rewards program. 

Implementing a rewards program shows your customers that you are mindful of their loyalty and want to honor it consistently. 

This could look like: 

🐾 A free nail trim with every 5th groom. 

🐾 A free bag of treats with every 10 bags of food purchased. 

🐾 A discount for purchasing daycare visits in bulk. 

If you are introducing a new rewards program, make sure you communicate that it’s because you appreciate your customers’ continued support and you want to do something to give back. 

Sneak in free gifts sporadically.

How did that extra dog toy end up in their shopping bag? Have some items on hand that you can gift to your customers when the urge hits while at the register? Let them know there’s an extra treat for their pet inside, and thank them for shopping with you. You’ll get a smile back every time!

Showing how grateful you are for your customers and your team can be simple to do– even year-round! Interested in more templates and unique ideas to show your appreciation? You can jump on the Pet Boss Club waitlist for 2023 to dive into our vault of inspiration for showing appreciation and much more!

Learn more with us!

• Need 1:1 support to make massive action now? Book a discovery call with us to see if working 1:1 with Candace is the right fit for you.

• Get on the waitlist! You’re passionate about pets. It’s time to have a business that supports the life you want, too! Learn the specific techniques to find new customers, to increase sales and to build a better team for ANY kind of pet business by joining the Pet Boss Club! Get on the waitlist here.