Getting to Know You...All About You

Do you have business friends on your Christmas list, and you're stuck on what to get them this year? Why not bless them with workspace?!? That's right, you can gift your business buddies with time away from home, to truly get work done uninterrupted. OR, maybe they're needing a more professional setting to meet with their clients. OR, maybe they're needing meeting space for their team. Whatever the case, you'd be offering a GREAT gift with one of our gift certificates. Because we're passionate about small businesses, we'll even throw in a FREE workday for you, just for being an awesome village. Contact us TODAY, for your purchase!

I have a question? How well does your customer know you, the person behind your brand? Consumers are all about connection. They want to know that you're just like them, or at least understand them. Customers want to know your story, the person they are looking to support. Nosey, right? Wrong lol! The customer's hard-earned dollars that would possibly go into your entity, is a part of that BIG connection. Put yourself in their shoes. What satisfaction are you looking for when making a purchase from a certain brand? What morals and values do you appreciate from a company, that makes you feel safe to offer up those coins? It's all about RELATIONSHIP; being relational. As a business, you would want relationships with both regular and potential customers to go beyond sales. You want them to think of your products and services as a movement. So much so, that they'd tell the world about you without hesitation. Clueless on what to share as your story? First of all, let's be genuine and sincere with it, but here are some examples of things to share: a major life challenge that you overcame, which led to your reasoning of starting a business, or how about changes that you want to see within the community, and how your services can kick it off. Business tip of the day: be sure to share your story throughout EVERY element used to connect with customers/clients (website, social media, when public speaking, etc).

Don't forget, Nov 27th is National Small Business Saturday. We're having our 1st Annual Small Business Saturday Extravaganza. Mark your calendar for a GREAT TIME. Our DJ will be spinning some tunes, we've got a raffle item with your name on it (I'm hoping anyway lol), and there will be over 20 local businesses to connect with it. This family-friendly event is free admission. Feel free to spread the word! See you there!

The Holidays-a-Coming

Oh how we've missed you! We know it's been a while, but we promise it's been due to us being extremely BUSY (ahhhhh). That's a great problem to have right?? How's business coming along for you?? Where can we at Café Biz assist??

Did you know that we're just that: a business hub for small businesses and organizations. We're LITERALLY your one-stop-shop; offering EVERYTHING from a business address (to include virtual mail service), to workspace, to workshops that will help enhance your knowledge as a business professional. Do you have business friends who could benefit from being apart of our circle? Well send them our way, by encouraging them to subscribe to our no-hassle email listing.

Speaking of assistance, how many of you are aware of the MANY business grants that are available to you, the small businesses, the women-owned businesses, the veteran-owned businesses, and more?! Our IL owners, have you heard of the Back to Business (B2B) Grant?? There is exactly $250 million in funds, readily available to assist with your entity. Have you applied? Do you have questions? Don't miss this opportunity, and please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns; we want to get you connected (all smiles).

We hope to see you next month at our Small Business Saturday Vendor Extravaganza, in celebration of National Small Business Saturday: Saturday, November 27th, from 1-5p. Visit, meet, and greet over 20 local businesses. This will be a great way to not only get your holiday shopping complete, yet make connections with other business professionals, for future collaboration opportunities. Spread the word; invite your friends and family. This free event is gonna be a GREAT TIME!

It's a Par-Tay!

Did you know that Cafe Biz is also an event venue? Oh yes indeed :-) And we currently have a deal just for you (or your friends and family (hey, the more the merrier)): free Mimosa bar or Jello shots for you and your guests, throughout the entire event! Book a present or future date by Aug 31st to take advantage of this offer. Check out the many beautiful ways past clients have transformed our space here

In continuation to our last set of Tuesday business tips regarding Customer Service, let's dig more into how we can successfully accomplish consistency within it. One task that can be completed to assist with this, is setting goals that are relevant to the customer experience. An example could be the goal of responding to customer inquiries within 24hrs. Ensure that your goals are realistic, and can be accomplished on a daily, weekly, then monthly basis. Since we're on the topic of daily, weekly, and monthly accomplishments, there are many opportunities available to remain consistent on such basis. On a daily, for example, these opportunities can take place within your storefront, via social media, or by reaching out to sales leads. A weekly connection could be a follow-up with past customers for their feedback on your products and services. A perfect monthly connection example, is revisiting those "nos" that you've previously received. Use that opportunity to dig deeper, finding out if you could revisit the conversation with the potential client during a time best for them; taking their needs into consideration.

Did you realize what this Sunday the 29th was??? If you haven't guessed it, let me tell you: it's "Live Music Sunday" at Cafe Biz. Join us for R&B jams performed by The CLICK Band. Admission is $20. Feel free to bring your own bottle and food; we'll provide the ice, your drink mixers, and refreshments (yep, red cups will be on deck LOL. That makes the night official LOL). Hope to see you there. Please spread the word!