C-factor Marketing
May
Small Business of the Month
Sponsored
by Lafayette Savings Bank
Want a guaranteed measure of business success? Calculate your
“c-factor”—your “happy customer or client”—says Marianne Melville,
owner of
Lafayette’s C-factor Marketing,
708 A North Earl Ave, 446-1814, www.c-factormarketing.com.
“If you have a high c-factor, you will have a successful business.”
Marketing
Tools, Education for Small Businesses
That’s just part of the business acumen Melville applies as she works
with clients. Her services include a unique array of tools and education. “My
job is to make my customers look good,” she says. She does that by developing
and implementing marketing plans, creating websites, preparing advertising, and
selecting and packaging thank-you gifts. She also teaches clients how to get the
most out of trade shows, expos, open houses and other public events.
“I’m here to help at whatever level you need,” she says. “I can be
your marketing department, or I can simply order you a case of mugs. I help
businesses look at things from the customer’s perspective so you can give
better service. If you meet a need, you can be more successful.”
|
All
With a Creative Touch
She’s earned a reputation for her creativity, too, two C-factor
customers report.
“Marianne Melville has extremely clever and unique ideas for
marketing,” says Holly Lough, who works in private banking and business
development at Regions Bank. “Those are the top reasons we work with
C-factor Marketing.”
For Margaret Lemon, business development manager at Blakley’s,
C-factor is a source of valued customer gifts. “Customers love her
baskets with the special goodies that she takes so much pride in putting
inside,” Lemon says. “She really takes her time to work with you to
make sure the baskets fit into your budget, and if you want to create a
basket without something to eat, she can do that for you also.” |
Marianne Melville, Owner |
English, Business Degrees
A graduate in English of the
University
of
Michigan
with a master’s in business administration from the
University
of
Miami
in
Florida
, Melville came to
Lafayette
in 1985. Her early career experience was as a technical writer. She also spent
12 years as co-owner with Gail Bochenek of the former Treasure Baskets to Go in
Lafayette
.
In 2004, that business evolved into the new C-factor Marketing, which
retained the gift side of the business. “Everyone likes to be treated as
special. If you acknowledge your customers with a thoughtful gift that’s
tailored to them, it helps them feel special. They believe you care. And it’s
a tangible thing, especially if you have an intangible service.”
She saw, though, that her customers were seeking more than gifts—they
also wanted marketing education and assistance, which is an important focus of
C-factor Marketing today.
Developing
Relationships Key
“I discovered that clients were using gift baskets for customer
relationship management, but they didn’t understand about fitting that into
their marketing. So we would talk about marketing and how to follow up
afterward. I saw a need for small business marketing services,” she says.
“I like seeing small businesses have a chance to succeed. And I like
educating people, seeing that ‘aha moment’ when they suddenly see where they
fit in the scheme of things and how to market themselves.”
Lafayette
’s a great place for her business, Melville says. “I love the size of the
town. It’s just perfect for working person-to-person, and I am a people
person.”
Hailing from a family of Eastern European background who favor fine foods,
Melville’s reputation for great goodie baskets began years ago. “I would
bring baskets of home-baked and purchased food to family gatherings, and we
would feast. I made cookies and candies of all kinds”
She’s equally generous to community friends, contributing gift baskets
and creatively packaging prizes for fundraising events, volunteering at the
Taste of Tippecanoe and helping the Boy
Scouts at the Feast of the Hunters’ Moon. She’s a supporter of the Almost
Home Animal Shelter, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and annual charity auction of the
Association of Women Business Owners. She’s also served several years on the
Chamber’s Business Expo and Ambassador committees.
______________________________________________________
Nominate
a Small Business!!
The Small Business of the Month Award is open to Chamber members who own or
co-own a business that has 25 or fewer employees, been in business for a minimum
of three years, and the business or it’s owner has a history of community
involvement. Nominations may be
submitted to the Chamber of Commerce for consideration by the Small Business
Selection Committee. Nomination
forms are available on the Chamber
of Commerce website or call the Chamber,
742-4041
. All
monthly winners will be eligible for the Small Business of the Year Award
presented in January.
The
Small Business of the Month is sponsored by
Lafayette Savings Bank.