How I built connection with local business to enhance my portfolio
Daniel Rich and Makenize Corbin, owner of Mad Hatter Cupcakes, in September 2024.
A student in need of work samples, my story shows how collaborating with local business to enhance your portfolio is not as difficult as you might think.
I have always had a fondness for small businesses. More than simply enhancers of local commerce, these thriving systems of personality and charm can go on to shape communities. So, when it came time to build my portfolio, I knew I wanted to collaborate with local business to show my skills as a communicator and creator. Here’s the play-by-play of how I did it.
“Who am I going to work with” was the first question I had to answer, however, it was one I resolved pretty quickly. Mad Hatter Cupcakes, a star of the Jacksonville square, is a business I was immediately interested in due to its reputation as not only a place with great cupcake reviews but of great customer service and friendly interactions. So, without making a phone call, sending an email or shooting a social media direct message, I walked right through the front door, explaining to the front counter employee who I was and that I would like to speak to the manager about their help in producing a project for class. It was not long before the owner was right in front of me.
Makenzie Corbin, as appears in Mad Hatter Cupcake promotional video.
What elaborate plan did I use in convincing them to help me out? Well, I plainly told them who I was and my situation as a student seeking to enhance their portfolio. In discussing the project and what I could use their assistance with, I also asked questions about their business and themselves, when appropriate, to build a personal connection. This is an important step as strong connections cannot only create more opportunities with the individual or entity you are currently speaking to but can lead to referrals and recommendations. Here are some common questions I employ in building interpersonal relationships:
How long have you owned or been involved with (name of business)?
What’s your favorite aspect of (name of job title)?
Are you native to (name of the area business is located in)?
How do you define success for yourself here at " (name of business)?
Having successfully set up the details with the owner, I began my work. While getting content at their location during business hours, I stayed out of the way as much as possible, acknowledging that my work should not be a disturbance to theirs. When traffic slowed, I maintained a conversation with the owner and employees, who came to be invested in who I was and why I was working on this project.
Sign outside of Mad Hatter Cupcakes front entrance.
A pretty simple process, right? Actually, it is. I copied and pasted this incredibly elaborate formula and was able to produce promotional pieces for three more local businesses simply by walking inside, making that in-person connection and being honest about who I was and what I was hoping they would allow me to do.