We are looking for opportunities of all kinds to embed ourselves in the communities where we work, to become part of the social fabric of the neighborhoods in which we ply our trade. This is by no means just an economic opportunism, although obviously we are in business to do business and we love to work close to home. It is also a chance to make the communities in which we who work at MOSAIC live better places to live. It creates opportunities to educate and support and sponsor and share.

We are located, within a radius of only 10 miles or less, near Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Buckhead, much of northern DeKalb County and several other thriving communities. We are a principal sponsor this month and next of Movies by Moonlight put on by Leadership Sandy Springs, and a sponsor for the upcoming Chastain Arts Festival. We belong to the Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce, we are working with the Dunwoody Nature Center, and we entered a car in the recent Soap Box Derby.

I don't list these involvements to pat MOSAIC on the back -- we know that we will find many other opportunities to get to know our communities and to give our time and attention to the causes and events important to each. Of course we want to be top-of-mind for our beautiful design and remodeling and trusted in all of these neighborhoods for our work as well as our service. And not insignificantly, we want to create value for our clients both by enhancing their homes and enriching their communities. That should be an easy win-win.

True to Ourselves

As frustrating as the nature of our business can be -- oh the stories to tell -- we are reminded constantly that we cannot allow the unavoidable head-slapping moments to overshadow the wonderful connections we make with our clients, tradespeople and vendors. This week alone I have experienced three "examples" of what mutually respectful professional relationships yield -- give and you shall receive if put in a more conventional sense.

This morning Bill Hubbard, a fine cabinetmaker with whom we have worked for years, spent 4 hours with me at a project problem-solving cabinetry he did not even build. He expected to be there an hour perhaps, did not complain, and will probably bill us for an hour.

This week Bill McBrayer of Window Concepts, as he has done so many times in the past, offered to drop by two clients' homes to gather information about existing door units to assist in addressing concerns about products he did not even sell to us. Bill just instinctively operates this way. Yes, he sells great products. A lot of vendors do. Very few offer the level of caring and service that he does.

Last weekend, I met a prospective client at a completed Kitchen project to show our stuff. Our clients, the Underwoods, greeted us, gave our prospect a tour, and then spent 30 minutes cheerfully answering questions about their project and our company. They could not have been more thoughtful, and on a weekend at that. And as a bonus, they are discussing a follow-up project with us as well.

Why would we want to do business in any way that would sacrifice the gifts of relationships like these? Rhetorical question.