Issue 297, September 7, 2025
“Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends.”
– Walt Disney
| Dear Members,
Who doesn’t want to build and own a business with loyal customers? I understand how important customer loyalty is to the success of any organization. The purpose of a business is simple: to create and keep customers. Each month, I meet with our board of directors and fellow officers, and we’re always encouraged to see our membership growing. This growth shows us that our members value what we’re doing and want to share it with others in the business community. Another key indicator we monitor is membership renewal. Renewals tell us that you believe your membership brings real value. After all, gaining ten new members only to lose ten others is not progress. I’m pleased to report that our membership retention is up this year. Many members I’ve spoken with have shared that they left other organizations to make SBMC their primary business club. You may have also noticed the increase in sponsorships—both at our luncheons and on our website—which are up 94% this year. Even more exciting, we’ve had a 100% renewal rate from last year’s sponsors. Thank you for making that possible! The reason I’m sharing this is because you—our members—are the reason for our success. Unlike the CEO of a national chain (Cracker Barrel), we don’t just assume what our customers want; we ask, we listen, and we adapt. You’ve shared great ideas with us, and while it takes time to implement them all, we are committed to making this club feel like home—somewhere you’re proud to invite colleagues, friends, and family. I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on September 10th, where I’ll share more about what we have planned for the final quarter of the year. Sincerely, Ken Petsch |