Archive for April, 2007
Easter Egg Redux
Since the Wren’s Nest is not only home to Joel Chandler Harris, but also home to Brer Rabbit, it is totally logical that we hosted an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday.
See? He’s even got on sporting clothes, ready to hunt. For eggs. We didn’t plan an Easter Egg Hunt, but we probably should have. The story goes like this:
Some folks waltzed into the Wren’s Nest Saturday morning and headed straight for my office.
“Can we have an Easter Egg Hunt in your backyard?” they said.
“Sure thing,” I said. “When were y’all planning on having it?”
“Oh. Well…right now! We’ve got about thirty kids waiting next door.”
And so went the Wren’s Nest Easter Egg Hunt 2007.
It would have been real easy to say, “Gosh, we didn’t have any prior notice!” or “Are you aware that there’s a rental fee for the property?”
Then again, it was just as easy to say “sure, why not? And bring the kids in for storytelling. It’s free for Easter Egg Hunters.”
Recently, I’ve heard some people question my “liberal” views on charging the public to see the Wren’s Nest. “If there were thirty Easter Egg Hunters, we should have charged them $5 a person!” they say. “We just lost $150!”
I don’t want to get too serious here, but this mentality bothers me.
It’s as if the mission of this museum is to gain dollars and not preserve the legacy of Brer Rabbit and Joel Chandler Harris. Or, you know, whatever our mission is.
Admission will never pay for everything a museum needs. With most museums, admission barely makes a dent in supplying funds for day to day operations. So if 99 times out of 100 you charge admission, what’s the point in shaking folks down for a couple of dollars? …especially when they weren’t expecting to see the museum in the first place.
By letting folks in for free, sure we’re losing customers. But at the same time we’re gaining a few friends. The former is a short-term relationship, while the latter is anything but. Call me crazy, but I’d rather have a friend than a customer any day of the week.
The best part is—nobody leaves disappointed.
And that’s what will keep people coming back. If only more businesses could start thinking less “the customer is always right” (if that) and more “nobody leaves disappointed,” I think they would ultimately make more money, even if they lose a little up front.
Anyway, mark your calendars now: we’ve got the perfect backyard for next year’s Hunt.
Categories: Brer Rabbit, Events, Hunting!, West End |
Hello, Atlanta
Dear Wren’s Nest devotees,
Hi. I am Wren’s Nest Intern Carson (WNIC). Yep, that’s me below, looking bookish.
As Atlanta’s newest resident, I’m honored to be among your ranks in support of this fine West End establishment. It seems the fates conspired to bring me here.
Just over a week ago, I came by bus, plane, train and motorbike taxi to Atlanta from the sweaty jungle of the Thai-Burma border, where I was engaged teaching English to a group of Mon youth from Burma. While I remain deeply connected to my students in Thailand and nostalgic for my former (arguably more rustic) lifestyle, I am committed to embracing the American South, Uncle Remus, JCH, magnolias, sweet tea, my new boss Lain, and all the charm and mystery wrapped up in this beautiful old house with a hefty dose of curiosity and excitement.
A 20-minute storytelling session with Miss Woodie, a whiff of the wisteria out back, and a visit from some ghost-hunters, and I was hooked. Ladies and gentlemen, I’ll be your woman (well, one of them) for the next 2.2 months.
Aside from making hot chocolate for Lain, Star and Miss Nannie on unseasonably cold Spring days, I am here to spread the good word about the Wren’s Nest. I plan to target the West End, greater Atlanta, and, ultimately, the world. You can call me Marketing Director Carson. You can call me Event Planner Carson. You can call me Grant Writer Carson. Or, you can stick to WNIC and call it a day.
I’ll try my hardest to match Lain’s wit and wisdom on this blog, but please folks, go easy on me. I’m new in town.
Let’s do this,
Carson
Categories: Marketing Tricks, WNIC |
Wren’s Nest Intern Carson
Readers, please welcome Wren’s Nest Intern Carson.
Wren’s Nest Intern Carson (WNIC) needs all the encouragement she can get, and lord knows she won’t be getting any from me.
My, how studious. Looks like we’ve just interrupted! — get back to work, WNIC.
WNIC will be doing more than just mopping the floor and fetching me coffee (though those will be her primary tasks).
No, she’ll also be blogging!
On this very blog!
This way, you won’t have to wait a week in between posts. Plus, you won’t have to sift through my senseless drivel all the time. Though we both know you kind of wish you did.
Wren’s Nest Intern Carson, welcome to the Wren’s Nest.
Categories: WNIC |