For Danielle, general manager of Nautical Bowls Avondale, the journey began long before the grand opening. Danielle charted the course by fully immersing herself in the local community and actively engaging with the Chamber of Commerce months prior to opening her doors. Attending every event, networking opportunity and ribbon cutting proved instrumental in the early stages of Nautical Bowls Avondale. These efforts went beyond mere visibility; the primary aim was to build relationships and trust within the community.
From attending grand openings to leveraging social media, every action was planned to cultivate organic growth. Danielle would make an appearance at events even beyond the Chamber’s sphere and post about them on social media, ensuring Nautical Bowls Avondale was a familiar name in neighboring cities as well. Not only did this increase the store’s social following to 355 within 2 months of opening, but it also introduced new catering orders and invitations to tasting events put on by the city.
At every event, Danielle showcased Nautical Bowls’ offerings with finesse. Utilizing brand assets such as BOGO cards and free bowl vouchers, Danielle enticed attendees to sample the Nautical Bowls product. Not stopping there, Danielle went the extra mile by organizing a tasting with the entire Chamber during their weekly lunch. Danielle details how she engaged the Chamber with prizes and giveaway items, “I have donated about 5 cooler bags to people or events within the Chamber and I have included free bowl cards inside of them. I have also given away cards and sweatshirts for prizes at the weekly meeting. I usually do that once a month.”
The Nautical Bowls Avondale grand opening was beautiful, complete with balloons, a drone shooting video, and giveaways. Despite facing challenges like a departing manager two weeks prior to opening, the store remained true to its values. Danielle and the team decided to give back to the community and donate 25% of the day’s earnings to two local nonprofits, as well as organize a food and school supply drive where those who brought in supplies could be entered to win a special prize. Danielle explains how this gesture demonstrated Nautical Bowls Avondale’s commitment beyond profit margin, “I have heard from many of the city leaders that
they appreciate when a company means what they say, and the fact that we gave back on a day that was a larger sales day meant something.”
Nautical Bowls Avondale’s journey emphasizes the importance of community engagement and consistency. The early stages are not just about sales figures but about building trust and rapport. Avondale’s steady 20% weekly growth post-opening stands as a testament to this approach.
Danielle explains how laying the foundation has opened up many doors with the city, “They have invited us to be a part of their summer reading program. They only did that because they trust Nautical Bowls because we show up to every meeting and most of the ribbon cuttings. The ribbon cuttings are full of government officials, and seeing your face every time shows them that you are a different type of player. I get at least one call a week to cater a board meeting at a city event or Chamber event.” From earning invitations to city programs to ongoing catering opportunities, the store has become an integral part of Avondale’s fabric since opening its doors on February 1st.
As Nautical Bowls Avondale continues to grow, the team remains steadfast in their commitment to community engagement. With a dream 100 in sight and a foundation built on trust and service, the future looks promising. Danielle emphasizes that at the end of the day, it’s not only about what you did before you opened your store, but what you continue to do. “I am just following what was laid out at the corporate training. Lay the foundation and get out of your brick and mortar.”
