SPRINGFIELD — Local business strategist Lindsay Smith hopes to inspire local entrepreneurs and business leaders with the release of her debut book, “No One Needs Another Company Mug: Stop Branding, Start Experiencing.”
Available through Amazon, the book is a transformative guide to building customer loyalty, highlighting the power of creating unforgettable experiences over traditional branding strategies.
Born from her passion for experiences and their impact on relationships, Smith shares her journey of growing a business by prioritizing customer care and real connections.
Featuring case studies from globally renowned brands like Kimpton Hotels, as well as local companies like Pieri Hospitality in Conshohocken and High Mark Distillery in Reno, Nevada, the book provides practical, actionable insights for businesses of any size.
“Traditional marketing says, ‘We sell widgets,’ ” Smith explained. “But I say, ‘We make you feel like a VIP — and we happen to sell widgets.’ When businesses prioritize customer experiences over branding, they foster loyalty and drive revenue in ways traditional methods can’t match.”
The book’s 10 actionable strategies are designed to help businesses redefine their approach, creating lasting impressions without breaking the bank. By focusing on genuine care and purpose, Smith empowers local businesses to stand out, build stronger customer relationships, and spark positivity in their communities.
“Imagine if every business focused on creating remarkable experiences,” Smith said. “We’d see less negativity and more loyalty, referrals and growth. It’s a shift from which we can all benefit.”
Smith, a Springfield resident, grew up in her hometown, attended St. Kevin Elementary School, graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High School in 2000 and LaSalle University in 2004. She and her husband, Michael, have three children.
Over the past 21 years, Smith has not only raised her family, but held various positions in the corporate world, as marketing director, project manager, director of sales and marketing and chief strategy officer.
“During my career, I spent over 40% of my time on the road, going across the country and having many positive experiences with brands and vendors, but also many negative ones,” Smith stated.
The author realized that when she had a positive experience with a vendor, she was left motivated, energized, and a raving fan of their product or service, ready and willing to promote it to others. When a vendor was strictly focused on their product or service and neglected to create an experience, Smith left unmotivated, indifferent and unenthusiastic about their product or service.
“Every time that I had a success with a customer, it was directly connected to the experience I had,” Smith shared. “I recognized that these aren’t skills that I learned in college, but rather things that I learned along the way. I wrote the book to share these things with readers, hoping that I could influence another leader to change their way of thinking, as well as the trajectory of their company.”
The book is written in three parts. In the first section, the author focuses on three brands that do a phenomenal job of creating customer loyalty through their experiences. Next she shares some of the ways she experienced significant growth in her career, and finally, the third part of the book lists ten things that any business can do to increase their client experience, leading to increased loyalty and revenue growth.
“I encourage business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to explore this timely book, which challenges the status quo and offers a fresh perspective on driving business success,” Smith said.
To order a book, or for more information, go to www.amazon.com/author/lindsayasmith.
Music of John Lennon, the Beatles for wildfire benefit concert
Lennon LIVE, the renowned tribute show featuring the music of John Lennon and the Beatles, will host a benefit concert for the victims of the California wildfires at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Kelly Center in Havertown.
Lennon LIVE will entertain with the Instant Karma Horns, a full brass section, performing not only Lennon’s Beatles classics, but his solo hits as well.
“We are absolutely heartbroken over the devastation and loss that Los Angeles residents are experiencing, with no real end in sight,” said Scott Arch, of Lennon LIVE. “We feel we must do something to help.”
One-hundred percent of Lennon LIVE’s ticket proceeds from the show will be donated to Los Angeles Wildfire Relief. The donation to Fire Relief at The Salvation Army USA will be paid by Beatlemania Now Inc. on behalf of Lennon LIVE.
Everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy an evening of John Lennon’s iconic music, while helping those who have lost so much.
For more information and tickets: https://kellycenter.ticketleap.com/lennon-live.
The Kelly Center is owned and operated by Kelly Music for Life, a 501c3 nonprofit supporting education, music and arts initiatives. The Kelly Center, located at 4-6 E. Eagle Rd., Havertown, hosts a variety of free and ticketed programs for children, teens and adults.
Powerful photo exhibit at PAC Center seeks to change narrative on Black men
The Park Ave Community Center will host a three-day exhibition of the “20 Men Project,” a powerful photographic series that celebrates the humanity and strength of local Black men as seen through the lens of photographer Sandrien de Bruijn-Mesman.
The exhibit will run Thursday, Feb. 6 through Saturday, Feb. 8.
The exhibit will open to the public on Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m., and at 7 p.m., the PAC Center will host a facilitated community discussion with de Bruijn-Mesman and several of the 35 men who posed for the photographs.
This special event will provide a platform for open and honest dialogue about the project’s themes and resonance within the local community.
What began in 2021 as a series of 20 portraits has since grown to a travelling exhibit of 35 photographs.
De Bruijn-Mesman was inspired to create this project following community conversations in the wake of the 2020 murder of George Floyd, and the calling out of commonly negative portrayals of Black and brown men in the media.
“My goal with this project was to show the world the true faces of Black men: honest, hardworking individuals going about their daily lives,” said de Bruijn-Mesman. “Too often, the media paints a one-dimensional picture that fails to capture the rich diversity and humanity of the Black male experience. I hope this exhibit will challenge those harmful stereotypes and celebrate the strength and dignity of these men.”
The seeds for the “20 Men Project” began with a group of Chester County residents seeking to increase awareness of the negative impacts of systemic racism. One of the points of discussion was how Black males are often depicted as criminals in imagery throughout our society, particularly on billboards and in the news media. This exhibit is a resounding rejection of these negative portrayals and reinforces the positive reality of their presence in our communities.
“We are honored to host this powerful exhibit at the PAC Center,” said Rosemary Fox, executive director. “In a time of great social upheaval and reckoning, it’s more important than ever to amplify the voices and experiences of marginalized communities. This exhibit does just that, and we hope it will inspire meaningful conversations and lasting change.”
The exhibit and discussion are free. The exhibit will be available for further viewing in the Great Hall on Friday, Feb. 7 from noon to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.thepac.center/events.
Media Rugby Football Club, VFW 3460 recognized by Red Cross
Media Rugby Football Club (Media RFC) and VFW Post 3460 in Media were recently recognized for their continuous commitment to holding local blood drives for the American Red Cross.
Lisa Cullison, Red Cross account manager, visited the VFW post to present certificates to leaders from both organizations during one of their recent monthly blood drives.
Media RFC was among the first and few organizations to host a blood drive in March 2020, when schools, government offices and nonessential businesses suddenly closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and blood collection drives were canceled.
Media RFC partnered with the post to host the blood drive there after hearing the need for blood donations was greater than ever, with so many donation sites closed.
“Because the Red Cross was struggling to book drives, they asked Media Rugby if we would be willing to host additional drives, every other month,” said Larry Elias, Media RFC trustee. “After discussions between the post and club leadership, we notified the Red Cross of our desire to host once-a-month drives as long as the need exists.”
In the years following 2020, the two local organizations continued to hold monthly drives.
Donors can give blood on the last Wednesday of every month with Media RFC at the post, 11 Hilltop Road, Media.
“Due to the strong cooperation between VFW Post 3460 and Media Rugby and the outstanding support of the tight-knit Delaware County community, the monthly drives continued to be a success,” said Elias. “The decision was made to continue the monthly drives, making a reliable schedule.”
“We’re grateful to the Media Rugby Football Club, VFW Post No. 3460 and organizations like them across Southeastern Pennsylvania that stepped up during the pandemic — and continue to step up — to host blood drives and help ensure patients have access to lifesaving blood,” said Annette Tucci-Jenkins, Red Cross Donor Services district manager. “There is no substitute for blood. Patients rely on generously donated blood every day for a variety of reasons, including trauma, cancer, surgery, sickle cell disease and more.”
Since the Red Cross began keeping electronic records in 1998, the Media RFC hosted 68 blood drives and helped collect 2,261 units of blood, helping thousands of patients.
“Both the VFW and Media Rugby Club are thankful to the Red Cross and our community for making these monthly events successful,” said Elias.
For more information on the Media Rugby Club/VFW blood drives, call the VFW at 610-566-9980 or visit http://redcrossblood.org.
Readers can email typed community news (no flyers) and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st centurymedia.com.
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