Happy Holidays Everyone- My "Uplifting" Holiday Thank You Letter

Today, our office is abuzz with tonight's impending fancy office Christmas party.  At the same time, my assistant Ann and I have been feverishly prepping our holidays gifts to be sent to clients/colleagues.  And no- I am not sending a box of chocolates.  Working in the fashion and retail industry, my clients don't want candy (generally), so I wanted to pick out something else that was unique.   If I had an unlimited budget I would have bought lots and lots of the gifts I chose  (but I don't) and send them out to so  many of you (maybe next year).  I thought instead I would just repost here what I wrote to that small circle of clients. So many people have helped me build my business law practice in the past few years (you and I both know who you are) and I am so truly grateful to you.   I hope everyone has a safe holiday season and here is to a fun, fresh and profitable New Year for all of us!  As you read my note, click on this Youtube link to watch Andrew Bocelli sing one of my favorite Christmas songs that my kids and I love this year (if this song doesn't get you in a festive mood, nothing will).December 15, 2011Dear Colleague:     I know putting in one of these scripted notes might seem impersonal, but I wanted to write more than just “Happy Holidays” and “Thanks for your business”.      Over the past two years, I have worked tirelessly to build my own book of clients/colleagues with whom I have a close business relationship.  I am sending this special handmade dove ornament to you because I am truly grateful for your support.  I would not be where I am today without your trust and confidence.  I love what I do and am building.  For your support, I am truly, truly grateful on both a professional and personal level.     As most people know, I have always cherished my West Virginia roots.  This year I chose this ornament/stained glass piece for several reasons: 

•  WV made.   I wanted to support a local WV artist Lynn Gundry.  She made these in her studio in Stumptown, WV, per my color specifications and shipped them directly to me. See other items from WV Living Marketplace.
•  Non-holiday specific.  I wanted you to hang this ornament in your office or at home all year round and be reminded of how your support, cooperation and trust has enabled me to build what I hope will be a life-long practice.
•  Birds.   I love bird stuff, having grown up in the foothills of West Virginia in an idyllic wooded neighborhood of Cove Valley Estates, I have always loved bird stuff.  Fake birds were even on my wedding cake!
•  The symbolism of flight.  When I was in college, my sister got me this plaque about geese and teamwork.   It alluded to this:  As each goose flaps its wings it creates an UPLIFT for the birds that follow. By flying in a ‘V'  formation the whole flock adds 71 percent extra to the flying range.  When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back to take advantage of the lifting power of the birds in front.

When I think about helping others in business, I reflect on my geese plaque.  I didn’t want to give you a stained glass goose; so, I settled for the Dove instead.        So there you have it.  Thanks so much for your “uplift” in 2011 and I look forward to a fun, fresh and profitable New Year for all of us. Warmly, Salene Mazur Kraemer