“Next time you are in Sevilla, stop by and we will go out for a coffee and tapas.”

I’m sure he says this to all his clients, I thought.  I figured this was an easy gesture to extend, as Ángel knew he would most likely never see us again.  Emily and I went on our way, continued our stroll through Sevilla, and eventually ended our time in Spain and made our way back to the US.  A few weeks later, I received an email from Ángel, checking up on us, our trip and the piece we purchased from him.  It was a pleasant surprise to hear from him, and Emily and I appreciated his follow up.  I replied, and we exchanged a few more emails back and forth.  During his last email, he again stated:

“Remember, next time you are in Sevilla, be sure to stop by and we will go out for coffee and tapas.”

A year later, our family of four and I found ourselves back in Spain for the duration of the summer.  I made the decision to get in touch with Ángel to inform him that we would be traveling to Sevilla from Alicante, where we were spending the summer at the beach. Once more, he invited me to visit the business before heading out for cocktails and tapas.  This time, when we went to the supermarket, he had company too.  Ángel’s wife and his two children were presented to Emily, our two children, and myself. We had a great time chatting in the store and then enjoying some excellent food and beverages at the table while we dined on some amazing southern Spanish specialties.  We then returned to his store, where I made the decision to have another look around.

Before leaving Sevilla to head back to the beach, we decided to purchase another Lladró piece from Ángel to add to my collection.  When I went to pay, I noticed the price was far less than the price he advertised.  Shocked, I asked him, why the deep discount, and he replied:

“We are friends now.  I do not make money off my friends. Just pay my cost.” 

I was intrigued by this and asked Ángel, “Do you do this with all your customers?”

In response, he said he didn’t, and he continued by telling me that whenever he gets along well with a client, he frequently invites them to stay for cocktails and tapas the next time they’re in Sevilla. He seldom sees these people again most of the time.  He was eager to show us more of his city and to introduce us to his family when we got in touch with him. In addition, he was keen to impart to me all the vernacular and colloquialisms from southern Spain that would be necessary for me to function as a bona fide “Sevillano.”

Since that day we stopped by for drinks and tapas, we have continued to grow our friendship with Ángel and his family.  My daughter, Hailey, and I spent a couple of days with Ángel and his family at the “Feria de Sevilla” in 2017, and we make sure to visit Ángel and his family every time we are in Sevilla.  We are always welcomed with drinks, tapas and a wonderful time together. Ángel most recently welcomed our entire leadership team to his store for a private tapas and drinks event he hosted just for us. 

Remember, as you venture into life and business, sometimes a business relationship becomes a friendship. As you serve your customers, consider that an invitation you extend to them could blossom into a beautiful friendship. I encourage you to do this from time to time.  You never know where it may lead.

P.S. If you are ever in Sevilla, be sure to stop by Ángel’s store Ceramicas Sevilla 

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