It is that time of the year again where shoppers trudge out of bed in the wee hours of the morning to receive the door busters from whatever chain store they decide to line up in front of. Even though lines and sales are not expected to be as big this year, I am sure that many will still line up for the deals. What are they looking to buy? Look here. After the door busters are over, they complete the rest of their shopping in the other stores and businesses. As a small business owner, you probably don’t expect to have crowds banging down your doors at 5am, but you have a more important job when you open your doors.

Many of the shoppers you will get are tired and grumpy as they have waited in lines and marched along in line for hours. This is the time that you have the advantage and you can outshine everyone. Provide customer service, smile, and have a welcoming environment, doing this should make your regular and new customers happy. The larger stores have done you a favor this Christmas; they have lowered consumer’s expectations for service. When you the small business owner comes in with an ounce of energy and service, they should be happy with the result.

While they are there, try to make contact with the customers so that you can try to market to them in the future. Ask if they would like to sign up for you newsletter or receive information about promotions. Ask them if they need anything in particular that you don’t have and special order it. Always make sure to sincerely thank them and invite them back.

Use your advantages as a small business owner this year. Make a memorable experience for your customers so they want to come back to you.

Kyle Hensel is the Area Director of the Clayton State University SBDC in the Georgia SBDC Network. For more information, please go to www.georgiasbdc.org. He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it