Why Lindsey Vonn Had Me Watching the Olympics Live (And What it Means for Your Shop)

As a skier, I’ve always loved the winter Olympics.

Last Sunday at 10.30am, I found myself sat Infront of our TV, immersed in the games.

Normally, at that time of day, I’d catch it later on the highlights.

But last Sunday, I was sat there, coffee in hand, watching the women’s Olympic downhill live.

Why?

Lindsey Vonn.

Forty-one.

Multiple knee injuries over the years.

Racing with a ruptured ACL.

One last shot at Olympic downhill glory.

You don’t tune in for the timing.

You tune in for the story.

Thirteen seconds in, she clipped a gate. Huge crash. Airlifted off with a shattered tibia. A horrible end to what was meant to be a comeback run.

And like everyone else watching, I hope she recovers fully.

But it got me thinking, and here’s what struck me afterwards.

It was her story that got me there in the first place.

Not the snow.

Not the course.

Not even the Olympics.

The story.

And that’s exactly what can get customers into your shop.

Not just the steak.

Not just the sausages.

Your stories.

You know, the ones you tell over the counter.

The story of your journey.

The story behind the inspiration of a new sausage.

The name behind a product.

The competition that crafted the idea for your new pie.

The daft moments.

The graft.

The characters.

The pride.

People love all that stuff.

But most retailers don’t use it.

They let those stories live and die at the till instead of turning them into posts, emails, chalkboard notes and conversations their team are trained to share.

That’s your edge.

A supermarket can beat you on your price.

But they can’t match your narrative.

If Lindsey Vonn’s story can get me watching skiing live on a Sunday morning, your stories can absolutely get customers choosing you more often.

And the Impact four step method can help you to deliver it – ‘The Entrepreneurs Retail Marketing System’.

We talk about it all the time in the Impact Retail Success Club – and the stories that I hear never fail to amaze me - that’s exactly what the Retail Success Club is about and it’s perfect for retailers with a positive, growth mindset.

Lindsey Vonn has inspired me this week. Not because of how it ended - but because of the story she was brave enough to keep writing.

And it’s a reminder that stories move people.

Make sure you’re telling yours.

Have a great week.

Mark