An amazing gift happened to me last week. One of my customers invited me to participate in her annual "Hookey" day.

Each year she invites her associates, best customers and dearest friends (all female) to take the day off and just enjoy life.

The day began at her house with mimosas and muffins and wonderful conversation. Some drove three hours for the special event!

As you can see from the picture, although we didn't know each other, we bonded immediately. We spent the rest of the day at a local spa enjoying pre-selected treatments, everything from eyebrow waxing to full body massage. Hmmm.

So rarely do we take time for ourselves. We are always giving to others; family, friends, church, boss, customers. Never US.

It took a little bit to get over the guilt and some left their phones on and communicated periodically with their staff, but for the most part, we just enjoyed each other and the respite from our hectic days.

At the end of the day we were refreshed and ready to go back to the fast pace of our lives a little better for having taken that time just for us.

I ask you - is that not an amazing gift to give your customers? She understood what her customers needed and found a way to make it happen. She didn't pay for the spa treatments, but she facilitated the event. An event none of us would have scheduled for ourselves. It wasn't about money - it was about feeling special and important and appreciated.

Think of how she has solidified her relationship with her best customers and has taken it beyond the vendor/corporate relationship. Those women will surely look to her as a partner - helping them be successful, not only in their business, but in their lives.

What gift can you give to your best customers to say "you are important to me?"