The world’s largest Laundromat serves free pizza on Wednesday nights and free donuts on Sunday mornings. They have large TVs showing Univision and the Disney Channel (a majority of its customers are Spanish speakers who are there with their children). They offer free Wi-Fi, arcade games, and desks for kids to do homework. Carpeted, clean, welcoming, and safe, it’s unlike any other Laundromat in town (and likely in any other town). And not surprisingly, it’s always busy.
There are two lessons here for small businesses, schools, organizations, and even individuals.
1. You’ll never go wrong if you think really hard about what your customers (or employees, or students, or club members) might really appreciate.
2. Something that’s ordinary by itself (like doing laundry in a Laundromat) can become remarkable when done in a way that’s noticeable and worth talking about.