As small businesses go it doesn’t get much smaller than the egg supplier business in our village but what a magnificent business it is offering an exceptional product for an amazing price. It’s a beautiful business built on trust that doesn’t probably wish for marketing because it is easy for the few to ruin it for the many so the location and proprietors I will keep a secret. This business is so good it doesn’t need more customers, they already have the whole village and people travelling from neighbouring villages as well to sample their goods.
Just proving when a product is excellent and great value people will fore go convenience of the local supermarket and become loyal to a small brand, weaving into their routine the job of collecting the eggs. People don’t have to be told to return their trays either, they do it as matter of course, everyone helping and contributing to keep the proprietors happy and ensure the service, the business continues, not only survives but thrives.
It’s a business built on love and trust, going back to basics. One of the chickens escaped, was spotted in a neighbours back garden and the owners notified via the village what’s app group. Within minutes the business proprietor was over to pick up the escapee and the bird came to him to be picked up like a loved puppy seeing his owner. When he scooped it up he gently kissed it.
A little love clearly makes the eggs taste better.
I left the full egg tray just collected on top of my bin for safety whilst I did a quick job, my back was turned for maybe 5 minutes and when I returned the eggs were gone in a dead village in the blink of the eye. It was a mystery, the only people who had been down the lane were the bin men who when I asked if they’d seen anyone, they confessed they thought I was throwing the eggs away and returned them.
Oh and there’s no one serving, or taking money. This business operates totally on trust. You leave your money and take your product. I guess if you are dishonest the shame of everyone finding out acts as the perfect deterrent if temptation strikes but more likely it’s being barred from enjoying delicious fresh produce at a bargain price.
Maybe bigger less authentic companies could learn from this model. How to create a customer base so loyal they won’t steal from you even when they can.