When I came into the office this morning, "Waldo" greeted me, as he has every morning for about a month now...
I smiled back. My daughter took a photo of me reading her bestseller relaxing with Waldo a while back...
Let me tell you... this is one beautiful, comfortable tortoise. Wonderfully crafted, high-quality leather, and as you can see, it goes very nicely with the love seat (which is too short to allow me to stretch out my legs).
Not so coincidentally, the tortoise is SiteSell's mascot.
So why am I telling you this?
I was reading one of my favorite blogs today, Creating Passionate Users. The title's not quite right because you don't actually "create" passionate users...
They just happen if you care like crazy and OVERdeliver. But I'm splitting hairs and I know the author knows that since the content is absolutely golden and stimulating. Highly recommended.
The particular post I was reading was asking for "success stories about people whose lives have been affected by the web or software apps." And that made me think about Waldo again.
"What's the connection," you're asking? Here it is...
Site Build It! owners collaborated for months to raise the funds to buy and ship this magnificent tortoise to me for Christmas. It didn't quite arrive on time, due to unexpected trials and tribulations at Customs. He even got lost (hence the name, as in "Where's Waldo?")!
But this determined group of people from around the world, people who I have only met through Site Build It!, overcame all the logistical headaches and made it happen. What a gesture, as overwhelming as it was unexpected!
The fact that it was not necessary/expected makes it all the more special. Our customers' success is more than enough reward -- there is no better "business" than one that empowers others. And the feedback that we receive (see this inspiring collection of homemade videos) strongly confirms that we make a real difference in people's lives.
But every time I look at Waldo, every time I put up my feet, he reminds me what it's all about. And he inspires me to try even harder. We are one big community, all supporting each other to greater heights. And that goes both ways -- SBI! owners inspire us with their BAM (Brain And Motivation) and their richly deserved results.
The bottom line?
There is more to business than just making money. If you market and sell a service or product... delight your customers beyond expectations. OVERdeliver. You just might get the ultimate reward... a "Waldo." 
All the best,
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