Spring 2022 Hardlines Strategies

CUSTOMER PROFILE

“Blish-Mize has been a huge help when we’ve needed to improve our operations,” Brininstool says. “There were no barcodes on products or any type of similar POS system in place, so this new type of system will help us streamline inventory control while enhancing our customer’s experience at check-out.” Connecting With Community Along with the main industries in the area, BES Supply supports the local community. The company sponsors large events like oil and gas summits, but also contributes to smaller causes. The City of Carlsbad Fire Department awarded Baze a Certificate of Appreciation for going above and beyond to provide personal protection equipment (PPE) to first responders during the pandemic. The company also supplied the USS Nimitz with face masks. “It is really exciting to get to that level where we were responsible for taking care of our first responders,” Shoemaker says.

“We were able to go to another level; we didn’t just take care of customers, but we took care of the United States in a crisis.” That care and concern is also seen in the way Joe and Jill run their business and treat their employees. “Joe and Jill really take care of their customers and also their employees,” Shoemaker says. “They work so hard to reward us and appreciate us, which is really all any employee wants—to be appreciated and thanked. They’ve created a great work environment.” The owners have not taken their company’s success for granted, constantly putting money back into the business to make BES Supply a better experience for their employees and customers. “They also set an example for us. When the new POS system was installed, Jill worked the counter every day to train and help employees. Not a lot of owners do that,” Shoemaker says. “It speaks volumes that our owners would put profits back into the business to make our jobs easier.”

The company sponsors several raffles a year where customers can come into the stores and put their names in a drawing for a chance to win different products like fire pits, grills, drinkware and tools. These raffles are a great way to promote new products, Shoemaker says, and she posts the winners on Facebook to encourage new customers to visit the stores for a chance to win. “We’ve worked on building our traditional word of mouth,” Shoemaker says. “Our loyal customers are some of our best advertisers.” Another way BES Supply pivoted to improve operations is its recent addition of a new point-of-sale (POS) system. The stores were operating under the old rental software until recently when Blish-Mize assisted BES Supply by suggesting several providers to add new POS software to improve operations in both locations. Facebook presence to connect with customers, but we also still rely on

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