As it turns out, that can mean more than one thing.
I used to think it simply meant doing great work—taking care of customers, paying attention to the details, and creating an experience people felt good about sharing. That’s still true, and it matters. But what I’ve come to understand is that word of mouth can extend far beyond the customer experience alone.
There’s another layer to it: being part of a network of professionals who genuinely believe in what you do and are willing to stand behind it. Instead of relying solely on past customers to spread the word, I now have a group of respected local business owners confidently referring people to us. When someone walks in already trusting you, the conversation is different.
My original goal was simple: increase our visibility in the community. I wasn’t sure what to expect – early mornings, highly structured meetings, and stale sales pitches? What I found instead was energy, genuine relationships, and a group of people who actually show up for one another. It’s something I look forward to each week, not just another chore of running a business.
As a business, we had agreed to give Lane Leaders a chance for one year; we’re going on year three with no intentions of leaving!
Katie West
West Avenue Furniture
2305 West 11th Ave, Eugene, OR 97402
(541) 485-6308
