I cannot believe I am saying this, but I think I have found the one key that every small business needs. The one thing that keeps them going, motivates the owners to roll up their sleeves and the drive to burning the midnight oil. Something so important yet so simple it can be summed up in just one word: support.
The best part about it? It is worth so much yet costs pretty much nothing to the person giving it.
Some of the biggest ways you can support a small business does not even cost you a cent. Telling your friends about the business, engaging with their social media, leaving honest reviews on your experience might take you a couple of minutes but will impact the business more than you may even realize.
A big chunk of Three Twenty Nine’s successes can be credited to honest customer feedback. Now, I am not talking about those reviews that simple said it was great (although I do appreciate those too), I am talking about the nitty-gritty, detailed, sometimes even cringe-worthy, honest feedback that has helped shape the business where it is today.
I am excited to say I have refined the process of decorating graduation caps so much that the majority of reviews have been positive. These reviews keep me going and even keep me awake at night sometimes because I am so motivated to reach new customers to get even more reviews. I love hearing customer’s stories and hearing their excitement about their graduation day.
So I thought I would share with you 5 designs that graduates loved this year.
// 01. //
I was so happy with the result, and I can wholeheartedly say that you will be too. You will not be disappointed with your choice.
I did choose to do the custom download and then went to FedEx to print it out. It ended up being the perfect size for my cap!
The way that my vision came to life was magical, and I am so happy that I was able to find Emily before my official commencement ceremony.
Kimberly | June 2020
Why it made me smile:
Although I have decorated over 1,000 graduation caps, creating a custom graduation cap still gets me nervous to this day. I want it to be so perfect for every graduate because I still remember how important graduation day was to me.
So hearing that Kimberly was not only happy with her experience decorating her graduation cap with one of our designs but is also is confident that other grads will be too, that right there really made the grin.
// 02. //
This beautiful design made my cap perfect on graduation day!
The instant download was greatly appreciated. I was able to print it within minutes at my local Staples store. I then hot glued it to my cap. This cap decal gets an A+ from me! Thanks!
Kara | May 2019
Why it made me smile:
Back when I was a senior, I waited until the absolute last minute to decorate my graduation cap. I was so caught up in studying for my finals that I barely had time to find a dress for my big day. Matter of fact, my mom actually bought my dress online for me because I didn’t have time to look for one.
With that being said, I knew I wanted to figure out a way to help grads decorate their graduation cap as quickly and affordably as possible all the way up to the last minute. So I am really excited Kara was able to do just that.
// 03. //
Purchased as a graduation gift for my daughter. This cap topper is so beautiful!!! She got so many compliments today when we went for diploma pickup.
Excellent quality, beautiful design, exactly like the picture. Overall very happy with customer service and with the purchase of this beautiful cap topper!!! Thank you for your lovely work. You made my daughter smile today.
Regina | May 2020
Why it made me smile:
// 04. //
After many complications in trying to get grad cap toppers from other places. I was able to get this at the very last second ! The seller was very understanding. I was VERY happy with the product. This truly exceeded my expectations.
Camille | July 2020
Why it made me smile:
I felt so bad for Camille going through the run around with other grad cap decorators especially during a time that she had enough on her plate preparing for her big day. I couldn’t help but smile when she said I was understanding and that I exceeded her expectations.
// 05. //
I want to take a quick moment to talk about the meaning behind my grad cap design because I really love it, and I like telling people about it! I got it custom made and she included everything I asked for!
I knew I wanted something on it to thank my parents for all their sacrifices for me over the last 22 years of my life, and since I’m an Eagle, I had to mention flying as a college graduate.
Emily also drew on dogwood flowers for the state flower and peonies because they’re my favorite flowers in shades of navy blue, gray, and red on the border for UMW’s colors.
If you want to get an amazing custom-made grad cap topper, go check out Emily’s store for some beautiful pre-made designs, or get one custom-made!
Alexandra | June 2020
Why it made me smile:
I so admire Alexandra for putting so much heart and soul into her custom graduation cap decoration. There was a meaning behind everything she wanted in her design and it made designing it even more enjoyable. I love getting to know our customers and their stories for their big graduation day.
So I hope the next time you see a small business on social media, you encourage them by liking or sharing their posts. Even more so take the second to review one of their products after you purchase it with absolute honest feedback.
I guarantee it will not only make their day, but it will impact their business while helping future customers make a decision on purchasing from them.
Like these reviews, I am thankful for all the grads that have given our small shop honest feedback and I cannot wait to hear more stories from all our future grads.
Interested in seeing more grads and their graduation caps?
Just an Ohio native, horse girl, rookie skier, post-grad-debt survivor trying to make it in this small business world by decorating some grad caps and inspiring others to follow their dreams as well.
