Why the comments after the awards meant more than the awards themselves
The last couple of weeks have been rather special.
Firstly, I was recognised along with my friend David Sekules as Entrepreneurs Circle Ambassadors of the Year and then, just a few days later, Wilson Design Associates received a Highly Commended Award in the Small Business category at the Chichester Chamber Business Awards.
I won't pretend otherwise – it felt fantastic!
When you've been running a business for as long as I have, there are still moments that make you stop, smile and think, "That's nice."
The awards evening was a wonderful celebration of the local business community and it was a genuine honour to be recognised alongside so many talented businesses and individuals. What I didn't expect, however, was the number of emails, messages and comments that would arrive afterwards. As the congratulations started coming in, I found myself reading them when things had quietened down, some were short and sweet, others were longer and more thoughtful. What struck me wasn't simply the kindness of the messages but the themes that kept appearing.
They weren't talking about logos, websites, colour palettes, typography or print specifications.
Instead, they were talking about trust, loyalty, consistency and relationships.
One message came from Kevin Watson at Cartotrade, who we've had the pleasure of working with over many years. He wrote:
"Throughout the years I have had the great fortune of dealing with you guys and would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for providing the values that you recognise as being key, such as loyalty, trust, teamwork, commitment, consistency etc."
Now, that's a lovely thing to hear at any time, but particularly after an awards event where people naturally focus on achievements and recognition.
What struck me was that Kevin wasn't talking about a particular project. He wasn't mentioning a brochure, a website or a branding exercise. He was talking about the experience of working together over time.
A few days later I was reading a testimonial from Michelle Stead at Perfection Spa & Beauty after we completed a laser treatment guide for her business.
She said:
"He just got what we were trying to achieve straight away, and made the whole process feel really easy from start to finish."
I smiled when I read that because, if I'm honest, that's exactly what I hope clients experience when they work with us.
Most people contact Wilson Design because they need something tangible. A brochure. A website. A leaflet. A display stand. A piece of packaging.
What they're often really looking for, though, is someone who understands where they're trying to get to and can help them reach it without turning the journey into hard work.
Michelle went on to say:
"Nothing was ever too much trouble, and you can really see the care and attention that's gone into every detail."
Again, the thing that resonated wasn't the finished booklet itself. It was the feeling behind the project.
Being listened to. Being understood. Feeling confident that somebody has your back.
After forty years in business, I've come to believe those things matter just as much as the creative work itself.
The things people remember
When I started Wilson Design Associates all those years ago, I probably imagined that clients would remember the logos, brochures and campaigns we created. And to be fair, some of them do. But what I've learned is that people are far more likely to remember how you made them feel. They remember whether you listened. They remember whether you solved a problem. They remember whether you made a stressful project feel manageable.
That's why referrals remain such a huge part of our business. It's why many of our clients have been with us for years and, in some cases, decades. It's why testimonials mean so much more than a few nice words on a website. They're a reflection of relationships.
Looking back, the awards were wonderful and I'm incredibly grateful for the recognition. But the messages that followed were a reminder of what really sits at the heart of any successful business.
Not clever marketing. Not flashy presentations. Not even great design. It's trust. It's consistency. It's looking after people properly.
So, if you've ever left us a review, written a testimonial, referred us to a friend or simply trusted us with your business, thank you.
Those comments mean more than you probably realise.
And if the last few weeks have taught me anything, it's that what people say about you when you're not in the room is perhaps the most valuable measure of success there is.
