I really like that working with local clients often takes me to Lafayette places and people I might not otherwise see and meet, even though I live and work here, too.
It’s hard to miss the Reservoir and Briones, of course. But there are lots of lesser known treasures worth finding, too. Some are places. Others are things. Many are people.
Keep your eyes open — and share what you find, okay?
For example, have you seen this whimsical sunflower gate?
I would likely never have seen it were it not for an email I got the other day that resulted in a meeting in a home office on a street I had to Mapquest. Nice road, by the way. Great views.
It wouldn’t work in my yard – but I liked the sunflowers right away and immediately took a picture. By the time I reached the door, I knew I had to ask a few questions.
The two large sunflowers and the surrounding design began as a stand-alone art piece purchased by the homeowner who knew she’d use it – she just didn’t initially know how. The garden gate was her inspiration, accomplished with the help of a second artist. I loved that the end result was a creative collaboration.
The gate turned out to be a good omen. The meeting went well.
People give a lot of lip service to the need for building that all important “know, like and trust” factor, but rarely offer a road map.
Why not start the old-fashioned way: Ask a question you really want to know the answer to. Do that in person. Do it on the phone. Do it online. Wherever.
Then sit back and listen to the answer.
Don’t just act like you care. Care for real.
Old-fashioned, maybe. But never out of style.
