How to Bring the FUN Into Growing Your Business

How do I make my business so much FUN that my employees and customers, can't wait for Monday morning?

Written Apr 04, 2008, read 643 times since then.

In 1959, when I was 27 years old, I created my first FUN business. It was called “The Blue Banjo”, and we were located in “The Skid Road” section of Seattle, Washington. This establishment had at its very core the element of “FUN”: FUN for me as creator, FUN for employees, and FUN for the customers.

We played music so that everyone could sing along with the band or at least, stomp their feet to the rhythm. We would play, “I’ve Been Working On The Railroad”, at least 3 times an evening. We also made an effort to seat customers with other customers they didn’t know. We found that this created a synergy for additional FUN as the evening progressed.

By 1961, The Blue Banjo had the reputation as the most FUN place to visit in all of Seattle. I discovered at the time that the more fun the customers were having, the less they were concerned about how much they were paying for the tab.

Our customers were having so much fun that they did not even notice when we raised prices. My focus was always on how we could make this even more fun. So we began brainstorming ideas. Some of the following ideas are just a few of those we implemented to make the experience a fun one.

Fred, our “Greeter and Seater” fellow, was selling garters along with our .25 cent popcorn basket. These originals were made by my mother and sold for $1.25, a high price for garters in 1961. Fred stuck a piece of white cardboard in the band of his straw hat (we all wore straw hats) with 10 garters on it and a sign at the top with the price. To make it even more fun, whenever a guy purchased a garter for his lady, Fred would blow a whistle and yell out, “Garter Sale”. In most cases, the band was between numbers, so he would have the lady stand up on her chair, or on the top of the bar, and then Fred would install the garter with a drum roll and a slide whistle from the band. We eventually were selling 75 garters each night.

Our tuba player, Elroy, taped bright colored silk tulips all around the opening of his upright tuba, and once or twice each evening, I would make a ritual of going over and pouring beer from a pitcher all over the tulips and into his instrument. Another fun thing was that we installed an “auga” horn used on submarines so that every time we planed “Anchors Away”. We would set the horn off and yell, “Dive! Dive”!

Whenever the band, made up of 3 banjos, tuba, piano and myself on drums, took a break every 45 minutes, I would pull down this old window shade where I had printed the words, “Kidney Break” with a picture of a huge red kidney bean.

Hopefully, you are beginning to get the idea. With every FUN idea integrated into the fabric of our business, we could charge more with no worry of losing customers. By the time we were open one year, we were the only tavern in town with a cover charge to get in while still having lines of customers.

In 1965, we opened our first Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour Restaurant in Bellevue, Washington, the second of 136 stores nationwide. This was the start of a territorial franchise for my partner Joe and me, and a natural fit for us. The element of creating FUN in business had, by this time, become second nature to us, and the foundation of the Farrell’s concept. In fact, “FUN” became such a trademark of this business that the employees, on their own initiative, had buttons printed up with the words, “It’s FUN to work at Farrell’s”. Now when was the last time you heard of any business having its employees do such a thing! We had 36 employees at the time, and our costs for hiring a new employee were automatically reduced by this simple button because most of the young people around wanted to work in a “FUN” place.

I remember the day I suggested that we charge $1.00 for a banana split. At the time, we were selling the item for .75 cents, already the highest price for a banana split in our geographical area. We ended up selling more at $1.00 than we ever did at .75 cents/each. Again, no one seemed to notice because the customers were having as much FUN as our employees. On your birthday, all the employees would gather around, sing Happy Birthday, and bring a FREE sundae with a candle in it. Within a few years, we and the customers were celebrating, in four different locations, some 60,000 birthdays every year with a sizeable portion of FUN. That is, with an average of six customers per birthday party, over 360,000 people, and a lot of customers for ice cream!

Another “event” was when someone would order the “ZOO”, one of the employees would come out playing a bass drum, and others would be carrying the “ZOO” on a stretcher. Now the “ZOO” had enough ice cream, toppings and whipping cream to feed at least 10 people. Many people would come in just to see the show when either they or someone else would order this item. The “PIG TROUGH” was another humongous item serving several customers where all the staff would oink in unison while it was being delivered.

After four years in this business, we decided to give out a questionnaire to see just what our customers thought of us. At the time, during the months of August, November, and December, at the largest regional shopping center near Seattle, we were serving over 3,000 people our hamburgers and ice cream every day. After only one week, we ended the survey with more than 5,000 responses. On almost every single page, there was the word “FUN”. It was a huge confirmation of our hunch…that we were not selling food or ice cream, we were selling FUN! That’s when I had a gigantic banner installed on our office wall to remind us every day what this business was really all about. It read,

“This company sells FUN!”

The main question I find with entrepreneurs that I meet is this, “Can you integrate…really…the element of FUN into any business”? I mean, there are financial planners, garbage collectors, accountants, any number of jobs that we normally do not think of as FUN. Nevertheless, my answer is a resounding “YES!” If your employees, and you, are having FUN, the stage is set for your customers to automatically have FUN. This starts with the giving of recognition to each of your workers, acknowledging them for their individual energies, ideas, skills and abilities. This has nothing to do with more salary or raises.

In fact, in all the major employee surveys done in the market place, an increase in salary or a raise is usually around #10 on the list of what keeps people showing up for work every day. One of the items at the top of the list is allowing employees to come up with more FUN ways to accomplish their work in an atmosphere of creativity and collaboration vs. competition.

As a business owner, the responsibility for creating this atmosphere and getting the ball rolling lies with you. Once you do, your employees will automatically follow suit. Allowing them to make decisions on the lowest possible level will also contribute to their experience of being valued and important, and it is always more FUN to come to work when you feel valued and important.

Encouraging and allowing employees to set their own sales and work goals is probably the number one most important idea you can build into the foundation of your business. It has worked every time I have used it and without exception, the employees’ expectations and goals far exceeded my own. In addition, the end results also exceeded those set by me.

There are 1000’s of ideas that can be implemented to transform any business into a FUN business. Ideas that as yet have not been thought of. Back in 1991, I began a painting contracting business with the logo,

“We Love to Paint!” To this day, some 17 years later, if any employee doesn’t have FUN painting, they don’t work with the company.

It would be well worth the time, however long, to brainstorm on this most important question: “How do I make my business so much FUN that my employees...and customers, can’t wait for Monday morning?”

My professional advice is to spend money on this one. I assure you, it will come back to you 10 times over…at least.

Learn more about the author, Jack Fecker.

Comment on this article

Posted by Howard Howell, Seattle, Washington | Apr 06, 2008

This is great advice by an experienced Seattle Businessman who was opening successful businesses before most Bizniks were born.

I really appreciate wisdom such as this. It is helpful, enjoyable reading, and inspiring for me as a businessman.

YOUR expert sales trainer and consultant
Posted by Shannon Evans, Bainbridge Island, Washington | Apr 06, 2008

I had FUN reading this! I love what I do and I get up every morning excited to face the day. I wish I had been around Seattle to celebrate my birthdays at your ice cream parlor. I can only imagine what fun it would have been! Jack, as usual, you inspire me to go out and be creative and innovative. Shannon
Posted by Elizabeth Lee, Seattle, Washington | Apr 06, 2008

A terrific reminder why I am an independent business owner and not working for THE MAN. Sometimes THE MAN does not like it when the little people are having too much fun...makes him suspicious. I never understood that mentality.

Thanks for the great article Jack.

Elizabeth...organizing you and your stuff
Posted by David Geller, Seattle, Washington | Apr 06, 2008

Great article. Nice to learn about someone with such a celebrated history and pronounced set of accomplishments.
Posted by Sherri Edwards, Seattle, Washington | Apr 07, 2008

Although I love my work and look forward to it every day, it is easy to get bogged down in execution and results. Sometimes we get so caught up in "getting things done" we forget to have fun.

Thanks so much for the reminder!
Posted by Angela Halsey, Seattle, Washington | Apr 07, 2008

What an interesting article. I've always believed that FUN is what draws people together and what keeps them coming back for more.

Farrell's was my favorite birthday place when I was really little. What great memories :-)

Payroll & Benefits Administration
Posted by Judy Dunn, Renton, Washington | Apr 07, 2008

Jack,

Thanks for the lessons and reminders. Boy, there were so many of them in your article, I hardly know where to start.

I bet 10% or fewer of people asked, "Do you have fun at work? Do your customers have fun?" would answer "yes."

Your Garter Sale example was great. (Most customers love that kind of attention and it sounds like everyone was having fun with it.)

At Farrell's it was interesting (and telling) that your EMPLOYEES started the "It's fun to work at Farrell's" campaign. This tells me that it wasn't "forced" fun.

It sounds like your singing (or should I say, "oinking") servers pre-dated the Applebees and Red Robins, where singing "happy birthday" became the norm.

And before branding was a buzzword, you obviously branded Farrell's as a fun place, confirmed by the responses to your customer surveys.

I totally agree, the designation of fun as a corporate value needs to come from (and be modeled at) the top rungs of leadership.

This article was incredibly helpful to me. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us.

Online Marketing Resources for Solopreneurs
Posted by Jim Barber, Branson, Missouri | Apr 08, 2008

Thank you Jack for this wonderful, motivating article. I have a business that really does sell fun to it's clients and have been thinking of how we can make it more fun for our staff as well and "tada!!!"... your article has the idea flow in motion! It brought back memories of my hometown of Rapid City, SD and all the FUN I had whenever I visited our Ferrell's Ice Cream Parlor. I think I even still have my "Big Pig" button pinned to my old bedroom wall back home. Terrific suggestions and thanks again! You get free tickets to my show if you are ever in Branson!
Posted by Mimi Bergh, Woodinville, Washington | Apr 08, 2008

Jack, Before I even got to the Farrell's part I said to myself, "It sounds like Farrell's." I spent many happy birthdays there with my family and close friends when I was young. What a great concept. I think it would be a big hit even today. Thanks for a great article. Mimi
Posted by Jack Fecker, Carnation, Washington | Apr 09, 2008

WOW! What an unexpected response to an article on Fun in business. This gives me more confidence as I write my second book. There will be a lot about this subject in the book and I expect more, thanks to you all. The chapter on Fun doesn't appear until 3\4 way through and right now I am 1/4 done. My vision is to start with business and then move to education, the medical profession, the law profession, government and then last but not least religion. It will take years and great effort on all our parts just to handle the business part in this vision. I hope your all on board to bring about the changes in business that are required in the next 10 to 20 years. Biznik is a good start.
Posted by Brad Kevelin, Seattle, Washington | Apr 10, 2008

I grew up in the Detroit area. In kindergarten, we had an assignment to draw a picture of what job we wanted when we grew up. I drew a picture of the display window of Farrell's with all the candy and stuffed animals, because it was the fun place to have your birthday, and it was THE place to go after school concerts and baseball games. Years later, I did end up working there as a bus boy and then an ice cream scooper. It was incredibly fun, and I have many fond memories of the pig troughs, and Zoos (with little plastic animals), and don't forget the fire bell and siren as they ran around the restaurant with the Zoo on their shoulders!
Posted by Dana Henrickson, Seattle, Washington | Apr 10, 2008

I've enjoyed meeting you, and I do believe you are right minded in your assessment of the best work environment--a fun one!

Most businesses seem to underestimate and underappreciate their human resouce-the employees themselves, much to their detriment in terms of continuity and profitability.

To quote Elizabeth Lee, that is why I too chose to find my own path, and forsake working for THE MAN. This has helped me to bring the humor and the fun back into what I do, because it has freed me up to benefit and learn from those who have been there and done that as you have.

I expect that the Biznik community will be a welcome recipient of more of your wisdom in these matters? Thank You.
Posted by Judy Friend, Pepperell , Massachusetts | Apr 10, 2008

Thank you Jack! What a great article. Although I never got to go and experience the great fun at Farrells, I can only imagine.

When managing a large call center, I always found that when we provided an environment of "fun" for the agents, moral AND productivity was up. Also now in my corporate training, we always win when we can provide a way for employees to learn and have fun while doing it. It helps cement the learning process.

With the unlimited resources available today to help ignite those creative juices, there's no reason why we shouldn't implement this more in the workplace. You only get one go around, why not make it fun!
Posted by Rebecca Wood, Lynnwood, Washington | Apr 10, 2008

Are you kidding me??? Farrells???? I loved Farrells as a kid...and I remember the zoo thing very well. Farrells was a regular birthday outing for our family.

What a fantastic article... I had fun just reading it!!!
Posted by Bridgette Boudreau, Seattle, Washington | Apr 10, 2008

Wow, this is like meeting a rock star! Farrells was IT when I was a kid. I remember many fun birthday parties there--it was a magical place to go as a kid. I have to say that the Zoo and all the pomp that went with it was truly an amazing site to behold.

Thanks for the memories Jack!
Posted by Mimi Pettibone, Seattle, Washington | Apr 10, 2008

I didn't know you invented Farrell's!!! We had all our birthday parties there as kids. And if a girl had her sweet 16 birthday she would get kissed by all the guy waiters- that was such a big deal!!! Hope to see you at more events, Jack! :)
Posted by Teresa Robeson, Bloomington, Indiana | Apr 11, 2008

This is a wonderful reminder not just for business, but for life in general as well. Thank you for your words of wisdom!
Posted by Jack Fecker, Carnation, Washington | Apr 11, 2008

No. I was not the inventer of Farrell's. I was heavily involved in the development of the concept as we grew. My partner, Joe Rutten and I set up the first territorial franchise in the Seattle area and the state of Washington. Bob Farrell was the instigater of the concept. He opened the first store in Portland. We went down there and worked then opened the 2nd store in Bellevue. From then on it just took off.
Posted by Evan Rush, Seattle, Washington | Apr 11, 2008

Jack, your article was very insightful and inspirational. Your concept of adding fun can be used from a small enterprise to even a one person show(business). If all business owners were to use this, it could become viral. Thanks for your "fun" work.
Posted by Sherri Schultz, San Francisco, California | Apr 11, 2008

Wow -- how inspiring! Judging from my clients' comments, they do have fun being edited by me, but editing is probably an experience - like financial planning - that people don't expect to be fun. I'll have to think about how to work that concept into my promotional materials. ... And of course I remember the Zoo!
Posted by Hsuan-Hua Chang, PCC, MS, Seattle, Washington | Apr 12, 2008

I have been thinking of the most important question Jack proposed - “How do I make my business so much FUN that my employees...and customers, can’t wait for Monday morning?”

I think it’s a great idea to have fun in business. I also think it depends on the type of the business we are in. To me, personal or business development is fun since that’s my passion. I can make the learning process fun to attract clients. To the end, my clients are the ones doing the work. They will need passion and patience to go through the process so that they can grow themselves and their business. The process will have fun part and not fun part. That’s the wholeness of the process and the magic of polarity. The not-fun part is as important as the fun part since it makes the fun part more fun!

CoachSeattle brings clarity and fun to your biz growth!
Posted by Ruthann Disotell, Clinton, New Jersey | Apr 13, 2008

There was once a day when this train of thought wouldn't be applied to the funeral home. The paradigm has shifted. I can't begin to explain how much fun I have getting to know people (even after they're gone) and hear the stories that tickle the ribs of their friends and families. I'm so glad to lay to rest that stoic man in the stovepipe hat; the branding of undertakers for far too long. Thanks, Jack, for the delightful read.
Posted by Jack Fecker, Carnation, Washington | Apr 13, 2008

Ruthann, thanks for that one. I can use this when Jane and I teach our workshops on Bringing Fun Into The Workplace. I never thought of funeral directors.
Posted by Patricia Klingler, Bellevue, Washington | Apr 14, 2008

Hello, Jack,

I loved Farrell's! This was back in Honolulu, where we usually got the latest and greatest in retail months or years after folks on the mainland. People used to make the oink-oink sound when the Pig's Trough was brought out. What fun!

I laughed and smiled from start to finish as I read your article. Even as a solopreneur, I include something in my day that adds an element of fun, and it is especially helpful when I am in a stuck place. Laughter reminds me not to take myself too seriously.

I enjoy a bit of humor now and then when I am on calls with coaching clients. Oftentimes, it helps them see their situation in a different light, and opens them up to being more creative, no matter how far-fetched the idea.

Thanks for the reminder.
Posted by Tim Murray, Lafayette, Colorado | Apr 15, 2008

Jack, Thank you for the words of guidance. My partner have recently started a business to help business bring the fun back into theie environment and I am going to use your words as a launching point this week. So, look out for the referrals. :)
Posted by Marianna Paulson, Surrey, British Columbia Canada | Apr 15, 2008

No wonder you look so young and seem so vibrant, Jack. You are following your passion and it SHOWS! A great lesson for all of us. Thanks for making me smile! Loved the step back into time, too.

Reminds me of a bar in Vancouver, B.C. which was also great fun. Two grand pianos being played by 2 pianists who took requests from the audience. Almost everyone loves a sing-a-long. Sadly, this venue is no more.
Posted by Eric Beemer, Everett, Washington | Apr 15, 2008

Jack,

I just want to thank you for taking the time involved to share your years of experience with all of us. I grew up in Portland and often visited the Farell's just out of the Lloyd Center area.