Hi All,
Seventeen years ago I ran my first marathon in Frankfurt, Germany. Two weeks before the event I registered for it and assumed I'd be ready. I figured I was already in good shape (I was in the Army after all) and just needed to adjust my diet a little before undertaking 26.2 miles (which basically meant drinking less beer). I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into. It was a suffer fest. I find it amazing that I ever considered running another one. And go figure, I ran the same event the following year with just as little preparation. Some folks need to take two punches before they remember to keep their hands up. Now as I watch people finish races of all distances I often see reflections of myself in Frankfurt. So many folks obviously don't put the time and energy into effective training. They desperately wail down the home stretch with a painful grimace and that all-too-familiar limping sprint to the freedom of the finish line. I feel their pain and cringe. Hopefully they, like me, learn the hard way. This month we are happy to feature in our store two ends of the training spectrum. We're bringing you epitome of training in the form of an Olympic athlete (Blake Russell), and the humble beginnings of training for folks less accustomed to an active lifestyle regiment (No Boundaries). Believe it or not, these two share a common denominator: A personal commitment to "doing something". Commitments mean time, and usually a lot of it. They also may require sacrifice. Some commitments cost us a lot while some force us to reevaluate our expenditures. In a nutshell, whether we're running the marathon in Beijing or mustering up the courage to get off the couch, we need a plan and we need someone to cheer for us. We all respond the same to these things. After all, we're only human. I challenge you all to take a second to think about that "thing" on your to-do list that you've refrained from doing. Make a commitment to (finally) do it and you're half-way there. Need a cheerleader? Well, give me a call and I'll hoot and holler for you over the phone.
I promise. After running myself into the ground two times in Frankfurt I decided to train properly. I'm still no expert, but now I can actually enjoy the anonymous crowd's cheers as I lean into the last turn and roll down the home stretch. If you do it right you win, no matter whether you finish in first or last place. Plus, you're not so sore the next day. That's always nice. Apply it to anything. And have a great month. TomSeptember 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
August 2008 Newsletter
Hi Folks!
Before I say anything else, I'd like to send out an enormous CONGRATULATIONS to all of you who, in any way, participated in the Wharf to Wharf Race. I send a special thanks to my amazing staff and volunteer crew who helped with the day. Great people make for great events!
This month I've made an interesting discovery. I'm realizing that people are not used to good customer service. Something happened in the last few decades that allows poor service to be acceptable in our society. I too am a shopper and have grown jaded by little to no customer service out there. It's a sad fact.
When I was in the military in Washington D.C. I took a part time job as a gas station attendant. The owner was a retired Colonel who gave all his employees the title of "Window Washer". He required that we wear the silly uniform shirt, keep our hair short (this was easy since we were all servicemen), and wash the windows of every car that stopped for gas. If our shirt tail was untucked he'd point at it and say, "Wash your windows, son!" If our hair had grown over our ears he'd tug at his crew cut and remind us to "keep the windows washed." Then of course, as a car rolled onto his island he'd holler at us to literally wash their windows. Quickly and with a smile on our face. It's no surprise that the Colonel had the busiest station in town. We all loved being a part of it because we truly enjoyed (figuratively) "washing windows".
Fast forward to what seems like a lifetime later and the Colonel's words still ring in my head. When I think of what it means to be a leader, I think of him. When I think of what it means to take care of a customer, I think of him. He taught me the importance of washing people's windows.
Fitting you is what we do. But we'll wash your windows too.
Keep on Keepin' on.
tom
Before I say anything else, I'd like to send out an enormous CONGRATULATIONS to all of you who, in any way, participated in the Wharf to Wharf Race. I send a special thanks to my amazing staff and volunteer crew who helped with the day. Great people make for great events!
This month I've made an interesting discovery. I'm realizing that people are not used to good customer service. Something happened in the last few decades that allows poor service to be acceptable in our society. I too am a shopper and have grown jaded by little to no customer service out there. It's a sad fact.
When I was in the military in Washington D.C. I took a part time job as a gas station attendant. The owner was a retired Colonel who gave all his employees the title of "Window Washer". He required that we wear the silly uniform shirt, keep our hair short (this was easy since we were all servicemen), and wash the windows of every car that stopped for gas. If our shirt tail was untucked he'd point at it and say, "Wash your windows, son!" If our hair had grown over our ears he'd tug at his crew cut and remind us to "keep the windows washed." Then of course, as a car rolled onto his island he'd holler at us to literally wash their windows. Quickly and with a smile on our face. It's no surprise that the Colonel had the busiest station in town. We all loved being a part of it because we truly enjoyed (figuratively) "washing windows".
Fast forward to what seems like a lifetime later and the Colonel's words still ring in my head. When I think of what it means to be a leader, I think of him. When I think of what it means to take care of a customer, I think of him. He taught me the importance of washing people's windows.
Fitting you is what we do. But we'll wash your windows too.
Keep on Keepin' on.
tom
July 2008 Newsletter
Hi Folks!
It's a small world, so we all ought to work together.
In the past ten days I've traveled through five different states. Now to some of you this may sound like no big deal, but for a guy trying to run a business such as Fleet Feet, leaving for longer than a day requires significantly more than just an airline ticket and a toothbrush. Trust in all its forms is a necessary intangible. I trusted my staff to run the store while I was away. They did - and they did it with flying colors. I feel like a proud father. I want to share these feelings with my Fleet Feet family.
My first major stop was Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, for Fleet Feet Sports' annual conference. The main purpose of our gathering was to reconnect with other franchisees from across the nation and determine ways to better service our customers (that's YOU!). Per usual, it was an enlightening week to say the least. I left with a ton of new ideas. I also had a chance to review the results of the customer satisfaction survey I emailed to you all a couple months ago. Your comments and suggestions formed the topics of a full-day seminar. Some of you graciously pointed out the glaringly obvious while others helped us see the forest from the trees. All of your comments will help make us better at what we do. For this I thank you.
After Wisconsin I flew to Eugene, Oregon for the Track and Field Olympic Trials. Let's just say that you needn't be a fan of the sport to feel the emotional tug of the games. I repeatedly found myself covered in goose bumps while witnessing the efforts of the athletes. Something primal rises to the surface when one watches such competition. To some it inspires the rebirth of a dormant desire within themselves. To others, joyful tears reflect the moment. Though I've never been a track and field guy myself, watching the Trials always seems to be a celebration of the human spirit. We could use more of this these days.
Needless to say, as I watched sprinter Tyson Gay cross the finish line of the 100m dash in world record time (9.68 seconds), I became a part of Hayward Field's thunderous celebration. My entire section was ecstatic and repeatedly high-fived while hooting and hollering. All that mattered was that moment. Then later, as it grew quieter in Track Town, I remembered the cheers and couldn't help but smile. It seemed that everyone I walked by in downtown Eugene was thinking the same thing. As individuals we are amazing. As people connected by spirit we are nothing short of spectacular.
Upon my arrival home I bumped into a customer who, due to the fires, had been evacuated from her home. I think her exact words were, "I feel blessed Tom. It only got the garage." These few words taught me a lot. I'd like to thank her for this.
So...anyone want to meet up for a walk or run? Connect with us at one of our weekly events.
Keep on Keepin' on.
Tom
July 2008
It's a small world, so we all ought to work together.
In the past ten days I've traveled through five different states. Now to some of you this may sound like no big deal, but for a guy trying to run a business such as Fleet Feet, leaving for longer than a day requires significantly more than just an airline ticket and a toothbrush. Trust in all its forms is a necessary intangible. I trusted my staff to run the store while I was away. They did - and they did it with flying colors. I feel like a proud father. I want to share these feelings with my Fleet Feet family.
My first major stop was Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, for Fleet Feet Sports' annual conference. The main purpose of our gathering was to reconnect with other franchisees from across the nation and determine ways to better service our customers (that's YOU!). Per usual, it was an enlightening week to say the least. I left with a ton of new ideas. I also had a chance to review the results of the customer satisfaction survey I emailed to you all a couple months ago. Your comments and suggestions formed the topics of a full-day seminar. Some of you graciously pointed out the glaringly obvious while others helped us see the forest from the trees. All of your comments will help make us better at what we do. For this I thank you.
After Wisconsin I flew to Eugene, Oregon for the Track and Field Olympic Trials. Let's just say that you needn't be a fan of the sport to feel the emotional tug of the games. I repeatedly found myself covered in goose bumps while witnessing the efforts of the athletes. Something primal rises to the surface when one watches such competition. To some it inspires the rebirth of a dormant desire within themselves. To others, joyful tears reflect the moment. Though I've never been a track and field guy myself, watching the Trials always seems to be a celebration of the human spirit. We could use more of this these days.
Needless to say, as I watched sprinter Tyson Gay cross the finish line of the 100m dash in world record time (9.68 seconds), I became a part of Hayward Field's thunderous celebration. My entire section was ecstatic and repeatedly high-fived while hooting and hollering. All that mattered was that moment. Then later, as it grew quieter in Track Town, I remembered the cheers and couldn't help but smile. It seemed that everyone I walked by in downtown Eugene was thinking the same thing. As individuals we are amazing. As people connected by spirit we are nothing short of spectacular.
Upon my arrival home I bumped into a customer who, due to the fires, had been evacuated from her home. I think her exact words were, "I feel blessed Tom. It only got the garage." These few words taught me a lot. I'd like to thank her for this.
So...anyone want to meet up for a walk or run? Connect with us at one of our weekly events.
Keep on Keepin' on.
Tom
July 2008
June 2008 Newsletter
Hi Everyone!I found out this past month that my parents are uprooting from their lovely home in Huntington Beach to start anew in, of all places, Rochester, New York. Why did they do such a thing? It was a better Fit for them. I decided this week not to pursue a partnership with a particular vendor whose claim to fame is nutritional gel sucked through a tube from a reservoir affixed to your hat. Why didn't I sign them on? I believe their product was a bad Fit in our store. This week (and every week) my staff paid close attention to the needs of countless customers and made footwear recommendations based on each individual's specific requirements. Why do they go through this process? They are searching for the best Fit. It's funny how this word "Fit" works perfectly into three rather unrelated scenarios. This is exactly why we throw it around so readily at Fleet Feet. Our philosophy of Fit (or better, our FITLOSOPHY) goes something like this: WE BELIEVE THAT WHEN THE BEST FIT IS ACHIEVED, PERFORMANCE FOLLOWS. Apply this to your life. Have you achieved your best Fit? If not, how will you find it? I met an amazing man in Burma while traveling. As a young boy he had learned to speak English by interacting with British aristocrats. Years later he was one of the few people in his village who could communicate with foreigners. His friends all revered his skills and stood around with mouths agape as he muttered a foreign tongue to weary backpackers. When I met him he stood, without shoes, ankle-deep in a muddy puddle. His smile was contagious. Infectious even. And though he spoke English to me with perfect inflections and annunciation, I understood nothing. Not a word. Why? He only spoke in clichés. I asked him how to find a local hostel and received, in return, something like this (and with a British accent no less): "Oh! A fish out of water! Isn't that the cat's pajamas! You got to strike while the iron's hot! So clear the decks and cool your jets! You look nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs! Gather ye rosebuds while ye may. You've bigger fish to fry in the twinkling of an eye!" (wink!) For a second I stood and wondered what had just happened. He had rattled off a mouthful of perfectly (sounding) English and all his buddies stood waiting for my response. Rather than look at him dumbfounded I played along. "Thank you!" I said as I shook his hand. As I walked away, still rather lost, I could hear his friends chattering accolades about their amazing friend who speaks brilliantly to foreigners. He Fit. And my guess is that he still does. Maybe this is a reach, but you get the idea. The Fit makes all the difference. Make it happen in your life. Today. Keep on Keepin' On! TomJune 2008
May 2008 Newsletter
Hi everyone!
I came across an old saying and I want to share it with you. It goes something like this, "economic forecasters were invented to make meteorologists look accurate". This cracked me up. But I suppose that in our neck of the woods we really don't have much of a need for meteorologists anyhow. No offense to the weather people.
It seems to me that everywhere I turn I find myself inundated by an ugly word: recession. Gives me chills. It's a word that's tossed around like a hot potato. In March a couple big-wigs in the world of national finance said that the economic crisis of 2008 is likely to be judged as the worst since the end of World War II. Most of us weren't around in that era so we only have our grade school memories to rely on. I remember reading about poverty, food lines, and joblessness. The black and white photos of dirty, sullen faces made things look even more bleak. My grandparents occasionally mentioned these tough times at Thanksgiving dinner and now here we are (supposedly) in the midst our own. Hey wait a minute, wasn't it supposed to rain last weekend?
Recently I had the humbled pleasure of running with someone whose talent far exceeds what mine will ever be. I'm sure she slowed down so we (namely, I) could actually carry on a conversation. We spoke of business, training, relationships and who-knows-what else. I found it ironic that every topic blended with the next. Somewhere in our hour of chit-chat she recalled a day when stormy weather made it difficult to get motivated for a training session. I'm sure you can relate! She knew the cold air outside far surpassed the chill she already felt inside. She also knew that in a matter of minutes she's be soaked to the bone and dodging puddles for hours on end. Certainly she could think of much better things to do! But instead she opted to suck it up and get out there. Just as she expected, within minutes she was freezing cold, wet, and muddy. The worst part was that she'd only just begun. And yet somewhere in her workout came a revelation that would always separate her from the competition. She was out there. How many others could say the same? That, my friends, is a powerful feeling.
So maybe we are in the thick of an economic recession. And maybe also I'm simplifying the problem. But just like words spread like a virus across our media channels, so can we spread good thoughts and ideas on an individual level. If we accept that times are bad, then times will certainly be bad. But if we truly evaluate our own situations and make decisions that work for us, then we're all the better as a result.
Weathering the storm makes us stronger people. Weathering it together makes us a stronger community. The ominous clouds may be trying to find their way into our slice of paradise and so be it. I predict sunny days ahead. Let's get there together.
Keep on Keepin' On!
Tom Griffen
May 2008
I came across an old saying and I want to share it with you. It goes something like this, "economic forecasters were invented to make meteorologists look accurate". This cracked me up. But I suppose that in our neck of the woods we really don't have much of a need for meteorologists anyhow. No offense to the weather people.
It seems to me that everywhere I turn I find myself inundated by an ugly word: recession. Gives me chills. It's a word that's tossed around like a hot potato. In March a couple big-wigs in the world of national finance said that the economic crisis of 2008 is likely to be judged as the worst since the end of World War II. Most of us weren't around in that era so we only have our grade school memories to rely on. I remember reading about poverty, food lines, and joblessness. The black and white photos of dirty, sullen faces made things look even more bleak. My grandparents occasionally mentioned these tough times at Thanksgiving dinner and now here we are (supposedly) in the midst our own. Hey wait a minute, wasn't it supposed to rain last weekend?
Recently I had the humbled pleasure of running with someone whose talent far exceeds what mine will ever be. I'm sure she slowed down so we (namely, I) could actually carry on a conversation. We spoke of business, training, relationships and who-knows-what else. I found it ironic that every topic blended with the next. Somewhere in our hour of chit-chat she recalled a day when stormy weather made it difficult to get motivated for a training session. I'm sure you can relate! She knew the cold air outside far surpassed the chill she already felt inside. She also knew that in a matter of minutes she's be soaked to the bone and dodging puddles for hours on end. Certainly she could think of much better things to do! But instead she opted to suck it up and get out there. Just as she expected, within minutes she was freezing cold, wet, and muddy. The worst part was that she'd only just begun. And yet somewhere in her workout came a revelation that would always separate her from the competition. She was out there. How many others could say the same? That, my friends, is a powerful feeling.
So maybe we are in the thick of an economic recession. And maybe also I'm simplifying the problem. But just like words spread like a virus across our media channels, so can we spread good thoughts and ideas on an individual level. If we accept that times are bad, then times will certainly be bad. But if we truly evaluate our own situations and make decisions that work for us, then we're all the better as a result.
Weathering the storm makes us stronger people. Weathering it together makes us a stronger community. The ominous clouds may be trying to find their way into our slice of paradise and so be it. I predict sunny days ahead. Let's get there together.
Keep on Keepin' On!
Tom Griffen
May 2008
April 2008 Newsletter
Hello Everyone!
I'm not sure where I heard it, or who said it for that matter, but I distinctly recall the moment when I was gifted a nugget of wisdom I carry with me to this day. Someone, somewhere, told me that, "everything you'll ever need to know you already know." Now don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be profound here. But for me it applies to an injury that found its way into my foot about a year ago. An injury that came as a result of doing what I love. Running. Sometimes love hurts.
My injury showed its face until when some typical post-race soreness subsided. To deal with the pain I tweaked my over the counter footbeds and found some relief (it's amazing what one can do with duct tape and neoprene). A friend saw my handiwork and shook his finger. "You can't do that! See a doctor!" So I did.
"It's a neuroma!" the doc said as he gave me some metatarsal pads. They didn't work. And you know why? Because it wasn't a neuroma. I then took the problem to my chiropractor who named it "bursitis". Hundreds of dollars later my pain persisted. Because it wasn't bursitis either. In the meantime I was in the midst of increasing mileage through technical terrain. I grew gimpy and yet I continued with my intense training. I'm stubborn, and there was no way I was going to allow a little foot pain slow me down. My homemade footbeds collected more dust as I wondered if a little rest might help. But the doctors never mentioned "rest", so I kept on.
I visited a podiatrist. He made me some custom orthotics. Fancy. He called the problem "plantar fasciitis" with a chance of some "posterior tibial tendonitis". It sounded like a weather report (and we know how accurate they are). Nothing changed. Next stop, the local witch doctor. Some called him a physical therapist, some called him a somatic practitioner. He had a sadistic reputation and laughed at pain. My pain in this case. He called my problem a "severe navicular drop". He ordered me to chuck my $500 customs then bent my body in unnatural ways. I desperately wanted these treatments to work, but they didn't. I tried yoga and increased my flexibility. And the pain and the pain along with it. A visit to the acupuncturist identified a "chi blockage". Fair enough. But no dice. It seemed hopeless.
Defeated, I remembered those homemade footbeds. I guiltily dusted them off and slipped them in my trainers. I ran. And ran. And ran some more. Sure, there was still some pain. But it was manageable. And as I more and more miles slipped beneath my feet, so did the pain. My world opened up. The answer had been sitting on my shelf the whole time. Right in front of my face.
So the lesson here has nothing to do with doctors or diagnoses or injuries for that matter. It has to do with the perception of what we deem problematic. In my case I intuitively knew what I needed to do and yet I refrained from doing it. Had I listened to my gut, a lot of money, time, and peace of mind would have been salvaged. Three things we all could use more of!
So while you're out there training or keeping fit, for crying out loud listen to your body! When it says stop, then STOP! When it says go, well have at it! Following your intuition will give you access to your life. I followed mine and have a healing foot (finally) and a fantastic store in an equally wonderful community. My intuition led me to you and I couldn't be happier.
Keep on keepin' on!
Tom Griffen
April 2008
I'm not sure where I heard it, or who said it for that matter, but I distinctly recall the moment when I was gifted a nugget of wisdom I carry with me to this day. Someone, somewhere, told me that, "everything you'll ever need to know you already know." Now don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be profound here. But for me it applies to an injury that found its way into my foot about a year ago. An injury that came as a result of doing what I love. Running. Sometimes love hurts.
My injury showed its face until when some typical post-race soreness subsided. To deal with the pain I tweaked my over the counter footbeds and found some relief (it's amazing what one can do with duct tape and neoprene). A friend saw my handiwork and shook his finger. "You can't do that! See a doctor!" So I did.
"It's a neuroma!" the doc said as he gave me some metatarsal pads. They didn't work. And you know why? Because it wasn't a neuroma. I then took the problem to my chiropractor who named it "bursitis". Hundreds of dollars later my pain persisted. Because it wasn't bursitis either. In the meantime I was in the midst of increasing mileage through technical terrain. I grew gimpy and yet I continued with my intense training. I'm stubborn, and there was no way I was going to allow a little foot pain slow me down. My homemade footbeds collected more dust as I wondered if a little rest might help. But the doctors never mentioned "rest", so I kept on.
I visited a podiatrist. He made me some custom orthotics. Fancy. He called the problem "plantar fasciitis" with a chance of some "posterior tibial tendonitis". It sounded like a weather report (and we know how accurate they are). Nothing changed. Next stop, the local witch doctor. Some called him a physical therapist, some called him a somatic practitioner. He had a sadistic reputation and laughed at pain. My pain in this case. He called my problem a "severe navicular drop". He ordered me to chuck my $500 customs then bent my body in unnatural ways. I desperately wanted these treatments to work, but they didn't. I tried yoga and increased my flexibility. And the pain and the pain along with it. A visit to the acupuncturist identified a "chi blockage". Fair enough. But no dice. It seemed hopeless.
Defeated, I remembered those homemade footbeds. I guiltily dusted them off and slipped them in my trainers. I ran. And ran. And ran some more. Sure, there was still some pain. But it was manageable. And as I more and more miles slipped beneath my feet, so did the pain. My world opened up. The answer had been sitting on my shelf the whole time. Right in front of my face.
So the lesson here has nothing to do with doctors or diagnoses or injuries for that matter. It has to do with the perception of what we deem problematic. In my case I intuitively knew what I needed to do and yet I refrained from doing it. Had I listened to my gut, a lot of money, time, and peace of mind would have been salvaged. Three things we all could use more of!
So while you're out there training or keeping fit, for crying out loud listen to your body! When it says stop, then STOP! When it says go, well have at it! Following your intuition will give you access to your life. I followed mine and have a healing foot (finally) and a fantastic store in an equally wonderful community. My intuition led me to you and I couldn't be happier.
Keep on keepin' on!
Tom Griffen
April 2008
March 2008 Newsletter
Hi Everyone!
Years ago I spent some time working in the fishing industry in Homer, Alaska. Besides the exhaustive labor and the fact that many of my co-workers were criminals on the lam, what I remember most about the experience is the overwhelming sense of community I felt each day. People worked with each other to maintain a collective feeling of happiness. Since those days in Alaska I've been hard-pressed to find a place that functioned in a similar fashion. That is, until I came to the Aptos area in December.
In Aptos the welcome wagon doesn't just roll by and deliver a fleeting wave and smile. It hitches to the door post and becomes an integral part of how one develops relationships and grows a business. I joke with customers that it took me a whole two minutes to fall in love with the local and surrounding community. But it's absolutely true. You could take away the beach and the trees and all the beauty - but the fact remains that the community is what keeps this area so magnetic. I feel fortunate to be a part of it.
Scroll below to check out some nuggets of fun for the month of March. And if you stop by the store please let me know you're here. I truly enjoy meeting the folks who are part of me being able to do what I love!
And I almost forgot - Happy St. Patty's Day!
Keep on keepin' on!
Tom Griffen
March 2008
Years ago I spent some time working in the fishing industry in Homer, Alaska. Besides the exhaustive labor and the fact that many of my co-workers were criminals on the lam, what I remember most about the experience is the overwhelming sense of community I felt each day. People worked with each other to maintain a collective feeling of happiness. Since those days in Alaska I've been hard-pressed to find a place that functioned in a similar fashion. That is, until I came to the Aptos area in December.
In Aptos the welcome wagon doesn't just roll by and deliver a fleeting wave and smile. It hitches to the door post and becomes an integral part of how one develops relationships and grows a business. I joke with customers that it took me a whole two minutes to fall in love with the local and surrounding community. But it's absolutely true. You could take away the beach and the trees and all the beauty - but the fact remains that the community is what keeps this area so magnetic. I feel fortunate to be a part of it.
Scroll below to check out some nuggets of fun for the month of March. And if you stop by the store please let me know you're here. I truly enjoy meeting the folks who are part of me being able to do what I love!
And I almost forgot - Happy St. Patty's Day!
Keep on keepin' on!
Tom Griffen
March 2008
February 2008 Newsletter
Hey Folks!
First of all let me send out a big ol' THANKS to all of you! I'm honored to be part of a store that's already deeply rooted in such a wonderful community. You've made me feel right at home and I promise to do whatever I can to keep you all well-fit for many years to come!
This month we've got a bunch of exciting things going on. New operating hours, our first ever Full Moon Frolic, and a special "code-word" sale. See below for details on all three...along with other stuff too.
And don't forget that Special Someone on Valentine's Day! Flowers and chocolate are so old school! Show them (and their feet) an abundance of love with a pair of Balega socks! It's like candy for their feet! You can't go wrong!
Keep on keepin' on!
Tom Griffen
February 2008
First of all let me send out a big ol' THANKS to all of you! I'm honored to be part of a store that's already deeply rooted in such a wonderful community. You've made me feel right at home and I promise to do whatever I can to keep you all well-fit for many years to come!
This month we've got a bunch of exciting things going on. New operating hours, our first ever Full Moon Frolic, and a special "code-word" sale. See below for details on all three...along with other stuff too.
And don't forget that Special Someone on Valentine's Day! Flowers and chocolate are so old school! Show them (and their feet) an abundance of love with a pair of Balega socks! It's like candy for their feet! You can't go wrong!
Keep on keepin' on!
Tom Griffen
February 2008
January 2008 Newsletter
NOTE FROM THE NEW GUY!
First of all, I'd like to send heartfelt THANKS for the warm welcome you have all extended to me as begin to put down roots in Aptos. I have always enjoyed being in this neck of the woods and you folks are making it easy for me to now call it "home". I feel fortunate that Paula and Ralph Hall decided to sell me their store. I promised them I'd take care of it and of you all too. For now, this means that you all get to help me celebrate my Birthday ALL WEEKEND LONG by saving some of your hard-earned cash!
STARTING ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, ALL WINTER APPAREL AND SELECT FOOTWEAR WILL BE ON SALE FOR AT LEAST 20% OFF! On Sunday the discount will increase to at least 30%. And yes, you guessed it, on Monday you'll save 40% and possibly a little more! All purchases will go towards your Personal Rewards voucher which equates to an additional 10% off! You can't go wrong!
So come on in and meet the new guy (that's me!) and help celebrate the amazing active community we have here in the Aptos area. And oh yeah, don't forget it's my Birthday too (and coincidentally, staff members Chris and Matt are also blowing out candles this month). Here here!
I can't wait to meet you all! Stay FIT!
-tom griffen
First of all, I'd like to send heartfelt THANKS for the warm welcome you have all extended to me as begin to put down roots in Aptos. I have always enjoyed being in this neck of the woods and you folks are making it easy for me to now call it "home". I feel fortunate that Paula and Ralph Hall decided to sell me their store. I promised them I'd take care of it and of you all too. For now, this means that you all get to help me celebrate my Birthday ALL WEEKEND LONG by saving some of your hard-earned cash!
STARTING ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, ALL WINTER APPAREL AND SELECT FOOTWEAR WILL BE ON SALE FOR AT LEAST 20% OFF! On Sunday the discount will increase to at least 30%. And yes, you guessed it, on Monday you'll save 40% and possibly a little more! All purchases will go towards your Personal Rewards voucher which equates to an additional 10% off! You can't go wrong!
So come on in and meet the new guy (that's me!) and help celebrate the amazing active community we have here in the Aptos area. And oh yeah, don't forget it's my Birthday too (and coincidentally, staff members Chris and Matt are also blowing out candles this month). Here here!
I can't wait to meet you all! Stay FIT!
-tom griffen
Nine months in and still going strong!
Hi all. Tom here from Fleet Feet in Aptos, California. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the geography of California's central coast, Aptos sits at the top of Monterey bay, just south of Santa Cruz. Aptos claims a whopping two exits off the famous and scenic Highway 1. 100 miles to our north is San Francisco, and we're less than 100 miles from Big Sur to our south.
As a business owner in Aptos, and still relatively new to the area, it's easy to see why this place is so appealing to visitors and so loved by its residents. There's a different kind of energy here. A good energy. People don't just rant about living a "green" life, they actually do it. Go figure. In my 9 months here I've served nearly 5000 customers. I can count on two hands how many times these customers have accepted a plastic bag with their purchase. Seriously. Nobody wants a bag, and in fact, most will ask me to recycle their shoebox. I do it happily. It's also easy to tell when we're in the midst of a holiday weekend because when stores start closing and the cars leave the parking lot it's full of trash. Peek outside at the same time on a "normal" weekend and it's a whole different scene. Green isn't trendy here, it's what we do all the time because we should.
That said, I've been looking for a way to publish my monthly newsletters in a different forum. This seems to be a good place to do so. The posts above will be my way of archiving my business and the messages that my community inspire me to write. Thanks for checking it out.
tom
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