From Chaos to Opportunity

A Berry Big Sales SurpriseLaure Macanas

0:00

A couple of years ago, I found myself immersed in the vibrant city of Baton Rouge for a grocery store trade show. My hotel, a charming riverside oasis, was a melting pot of cultures, filled with tourists and business professionals from all walks of life.

The distributor's trade show was a chance to introduce my product to potential clients. Unfortunately, the event was small, and my product didn't align with their customer base. It was a missed opportunity, but I know it's part of the marketing process.

On the final day of the trade show, I checked out of my hotel and entrusted my luggage to the friendly concierge. I planned to pick it up later, after the show, before heading to the airport. It was a familiar routine for me, having done it countless times in my career.

At the conclusion of the show, a fellow exhibitor asked me if I wanted a large container of strawberries.  Quite frankly, those strawberries were the most beautiful that I’ve ever seen.  I declined because I had to fly that evening all the way back to Arizona which is a 3+ hour flight and I was sure they’d get damaged by the time I got home.  I would arrive back in Phoenix at around midnight and carrying them would be somewhat of a hassle.  However, he convinced me to take them and I’m glad he did.

With strawberries in hand, I headed back to the hotel to pick-up my luggage and head to the airport.  When I walked into the hotel lobby there were people everywhere waiting to board a bus tour of haunted Louisiana.  This wasn’t just a day tour though.  This was a bus that traveled from city to city, visited haunted places and guest would stay at the pre-determined hotel.  I had to wait to get my luggage as they were trying to get the bus loaded with the tour attendant’s luggage, but it wasn’t a big deal.  I had plenty of time to wait and still get to the airport on time.  So I went to the dining area, ordered a glass of wine and two dozen oysters in the half shell.  

When I noticed the bus leaving, I went back to the concierge to retrieve my luggage.  I again had to wait because in all the confusion, they couldn’t find my bright blue (hard to miss) SwissGear luggage.  After 30 minutes or so of searching they’d realized it (likely) was accidentally put on the bus and was now touring haunted Louisiana!!

It was unfortunate that I had my cell phone charger in my luggage and had only perhaps 20% battery left.  I also wasn’t able to change out of my business attire, (a dress), or heels and I didn’t have a sweater.

With no choice, I headed to the airport with only the clothes I was wearing, a small purse containing an almost dead phone and some really beautiful strawberries.

My flight was delayed due to poor weather but only about 30 minutes or so when the weather cleared slightly, and the airlines felt it was safe to fly. It was a very small plane with two seats on the right and one seat on the left.  I believe there were only about 20 people flying into Houston where I’d catch my final flight back home to Arizona. 

I had seat 1A, on the left side so no one was sitting next to me.  I boarded and took my seat.  The last person to board was a very nice black man who was a bit older, looked to be in shape other than a slight limp.   My best estimation was 7 feet tall!  This man was 7 feet tall!   The flight attendant asked if I wouldn’t mind changing seats with him to accommodate his height.  I obliged and took his seat which was on the right so there was someone sitting next to me.

We flew into Houston and again, because of poor weather, we weren’t able to deboard the plane.  We sat on the tarmac for about 2 hours in our cramped little seats with no food or drink just staring out of the window watching the rain and lightning.

About an hour into our wait on the tarmac I remembered I had those beautiful strawberries! I pulled them out and shared them with the other passengers who were really appreciative.   Most commented on how beautiful, large and delicious they were.  One passenger in particular, John, who was sitting behind me was also traveling back home on business.  His final stop was Texas. 

John asked me where I got them and how I ended up with them on a flight.  I explained to him about the show.  We struck up a very friendly yet professional conversation.  He was a buyer for a large grocery store chain (2300 locations), although his buying area did not fit into what I was selling.  However, John said he’d be happy to give my name and number to his colleague who was the buyer for the types of products I was selling.  Maybe the show wasn’t a failure after all?  John and I had a solid hour to talk before we were able to deboard.  We exchanged business cards and he went on his way back home and I went into the terminal where I’d have to wait for a flight the next morning. 

By this time of night, the airport was closed down with nowhere to eat.  Unfortunately, because of the poor weather, the airport was full of people sleeping stretched across the chairs, on the floor and pretty much everywhere.  Airport personnel had given out blankets prior to my entering the terminal so there weren’t any more left.  Maybe I felt entitled, but I somewhat expected one of the men who had long pants and coats to offer me a blanket.  Nope. 

By this time, my cell phone was down to 2%.  Luckily, I found a kiosk where I could charge my phone.  It was one of those that you use your thumbprint to open the door and plug your phone in.   I did that and went to find a place to sit or lay down.  I was freezing cold.  I had a dress on so couldn’t lay down. I didn’t know if I’d ever get my luggage back.  I couldn’t sleep. I wanted to cry.

After several hours I went back to the kiosk to retrieve my now fully charged cell phone.  I was anxious to contact my husband for some moral support.  Well, something went wrong, and the kiosk didn’t recognize my thumbprint.  So now I was cold, tired, hungry and couldn’t get my phone.  So yes, I sat there and cried in my now ruffled business attire and heels.   

I don’t know what the issue was but a few hours later I went back to the kiosk to try again and this time it worked!  My day was getting better!! I was finally able to get on a flight back to Phoenix arriving at around 11AM. I was ragged but at least I was no longer cold when I was able to deboard.

This was the worst travel experience I have ever had.

I waited for a few weeks before reaching out to John.  I already knew that he’d be traveling and when he’d be back.  I will admit that it took some time to finally reach him, but it was a friendly conversation, and he gave me the information for his colleague David – my buyer.

I tried diligently to reach David over the next few weeks.  There can be a fine line between harassing a buyer and connecting with them.  I’d sent emails and left messages noting that I received his information from his colleague John. It seemed no matter what I did, I could not get a call back, a return email or any type of acknowledgement from David.  Welcome to sales, right?

I don’t normally work late or on weekends as I value work/life balance.  One evening at about 7PM I decided to try and call David.  It was 8PM in Texas! I thought that on the off chance he picked up I could have a conversation.  If he didn’t, I wouldn’t bombard him with another voice mail. Well, he answered his phone!  We had a great conversation and laughed about how strawberries could bring us all together.  We eventually became business partners, and he carried my products in all of his stores that were appropriate for the line.

What this story and series of events taught me was that no matter what is happening, be aware of opportunity.  Be humble.  Be diligent. Persist.