Business Marketing Magazine Summer 2017 Summer2017 | Page 33

do you wish you could ask them? I can think
of thousands of questions that I would love
to ask my grandparents but never got the
chance.
Both my mom’s mother and father served in
WWII. My grandfather stormed the beach at
Normandy and was wounded, and my grand-
mother served as a WAC. I never thought to
ask my grandparents about those experiences
during their lifetimes, and it’s not because I
didn’t care—it was because I was young when
they died. I’m sad that I will never know that
history and learn how it shaped my family.
Oh, I have put pieces together from my mom
and her siblings, and military records tell me
some things, but to have a first-hand account
of those experiences would be priceless. To
have their words and pictures in a book that I
could share with my kids and grandkids, and
they with theirs, would add heart and soul to
my family tree.
It’s important to know what is causing your
client’s emotion, truly listen, and then solve
their problem. Spending the time to learn
what is important to them and understanding
what their expectations for the experience
will solidify your relationship.
I spend time with my clients before we start
working together so I can help them figure
out what they want from the experience. They
need to feel comfortab le with me so they can
get the most out of their storytelling and leave
the legacy they want.
Everyone has a story, and everyone’s story is