Inside our South ‘n France 2012 Bon Bon Calendar, we made a pretty incredible offer:  send us a photo of our calendar hanging in your home or office and we’ll send you a $10 coupon toward any South ‘n France purchase!  Well, the photos have been pouring in, and we’re having a great time seeing how our little calendar looks on your refrigerators, in your your cubicles, and on your walls!   We know that images of our bon bons are already gracing the walls of an optometrist’s office, an architectural firm, a financial institution, and even a dentist’s office! 

But, you’ve made us hungry for more!  There is still time to email us your photo and take advantage of our special offer.  Want extra credit?  Send us a brief description of where the calendar hangs.  While we wait for more photos, we thought we’d share a collage that features a few of our January pin-ups.  Enjoy!

For years, we have been making local deliveries with our bon bons.  Deliveries are one of the most rewarding and, sometimes, one of the most frustrating parts of our work.  You wouldn’t believe all of the hidden streets, unmarked houses, and crazy locations that exist in and around Wilmington! 

We could ship all of our bon bons, but local FedEx packages often spend a day or two in transit.  (They are often shipped from Wilmington to a warehouse in Charlotte; sorted and shipped back to Wilmington; and then put on trucks where they could ride around all day waiting delivery).  When we deliver locally, the bon bons go directly from our kitchen to the recipient. 

Our delivery territory is large–we have delivered to Hampstead, Carolina Beach, Wrighstville Beach, Leland, and once as far as Bald Head Island.  When you look at it from a dollars and cents perspective, it doen’t pay to spend the time, the gas, the miles, and the planning to make deliveries.  But, we do it all for a different kind of payoff–happy customers.  Earlier this summer, we completed a delivery that reminded us exactly why we offer this important service to our customers.

A new customer, who lives in Arkansas, found us online.  She wanted to know if we would deliver to New Hanover Regional Medical Center.  We replied that we could definitely deliver to NHRMC.  She then explained that her daughter-in-law had just delivered a baby 10 weeks early, without her husband.  He wasn’t able to be there because he is a Marine serving our country.  Our new customer wanted to give her daughter-in-law something delicious to eat (in lieu of flowers) because she hadn’t eaten in two days! 

Our new customer had also created a special message on her computer using her own graphic designs.  She wanted to know if we could print it and include it with the bon bon delivery.  (Again, the answer was: “Yes, of course!”) 

As fate would have it, I was the person who ended up making this particular delivery.  I went directly to the maternity ward to ensure the bon bons reached their final destination in a timely manner.  Come to find out, Rachel was in her room alone and couldn’t get out of bed.  So, with Rachel’s permission,  the receptionist agreed to let me go back to her room.   Upon meeting Rachel, I was honored to play not only delivery person, but also nurse’s aide to one brave mama!  (Rachel, who was in pain, had been waiting for a nurse and needed a little help–pronto.)  Her husband is a hero protecting our country, but I think the spouses of our military are just as strong and courageous as those who serve on the front line.  Imagine giving birth alone, in an emergency situation!

The next day, I received a lovely note from our newest fan in Arkansas:

“You went above and beyond for EXCELLENT customer service! Thank you for making a personal delivery to my daughter-in-law, Rachel, in the hospital. And, I certainly appreciate you printing my own special message and adding it to the package. Rachel just texted me and said she “snuck” a Bon Bon (a nurse said she could ’sneak one’ – she is still on liquids) and she said it was AWESOME! I think she’s hooked!

 My Very Best,

If bon bons had resumes, our product would have a diverse job history.  They’ve taken on jobs as get well gifts, forgive me gifts, birthday gifts and more.  But perhaps one of their greatest job titles is that of “The Closer”.

You see, many of our customers use bon bons to win over new clients for their businesses.  For example,  a medical billing specialist often sends bon bons as an extra touch before landing a new account.  A lawn maintenance and landscaping company uses bon bons to ’sweeten the deal’ with prospective clients.  And another talented salesperson will often put our bon bons as a way to showcase her creativity and personality, putting her in a completely different league from her competition. 

We’re proud to say that we our bon bons have successfully landed new business, big accounts, and many dollars in profit our loyal customers.  In fact, it seems that are bon bons are fast becoming synonymous with ’sealing the deal’, ‘closing the case’ and ‘clinching the sale’. 

As evidence, take this recent Facebook conversation between a stellar sales professional and her support system.  She starts the thread by writing: Please send good vibes my way…HUGE meeting this morning with a prospect…praying we can pull this off!!!!

Friends send their support by ‘liking’ her post and sending comments such as:

Good Luck- I know you will do well!!

Once they encounter your charm, it’s all over!

You GO, girl!!!

Praying for you – wish I was there!

Here’s what happens after the meeting:

Although our bon bons didn’t get to play The Closer this time, they’ll be ready and waiting for the next opportunity.  Meanwhile, enjoy this testimonial from another business owner who swears by bon bons as a way to boost his bottom line:

“South ‘n France sent out bon bons to some of my best customers on Monday. One of them got their bon bons today, picked up the phone with their mouth full of chocolate, called me, thanked me for the incredible bon bons, and placed a $1000 order. I haven’t even paid South ‘n France yet, and my ROI is 5 times my investment.

If you aren’t using South ‘n France to send thank you or holiday gifts to your customers, you are CRAZY! Call her today!”  –Kent Milholland, Neonexus Corporation

As South ‘n France celebrates its 5th anniversary, we couldn’t resist creating a  few Top 5 lists.  Perhaps one of the most unique services that we offer is our singing telegram service.  From my first singing telegram (for a urologist named Dr. Love) to my most recent singing telegram (for the owner of a locally-owned bed&breakfast), I’ve encountered some interesting and memorable situations.

I’ve sang at baby showers, birthday parties, anniversary parties, and corporate annual meetings.  I’ve been the bearer of sweet Valentine’s Day greetings, the “I’m Sorry” for boyfriends who’ve misbehaved, and the “Congratulations” for a college graduate whose parents thought I would be a fun addition to his post-graduation beach house bash.  (The jury’s still out on that one….)  

One year, I delivered a singing telegram in a crowded restaurant the day after Christmas.  I was so exhausted from the holiday rush that while singing the song I started to feel faint.  I got to the very last note, sang it with gusto, and promptly passed out on the floor.  When I came to, my hat was across the floor, my jacket was undone, a doctor was leaning over me, and an ambulance was on its way.  My first words were:  “Wait until you see what I do for an encore!”.  That singing telegram was on me–the poor gentleman who ordered it got much more of a show than he had bargained for!

So, you see, creating a Top 5 list was difficult, but here are a few singing telegrams that stand out as unforgettable ones for me!

5.  The Gambler.  This singing telegram took place at the Landfall Country Club for a swinging 35th birthday bash of a guy who loves to gamble.  Setting the song to the tune of The Gambler was an obvious choice.  The crowd enjoyed it so much that they even tried to join in at the end (which proved difficult since they didn’t know the custom lyrics I had written and I didn’t have a teleprompter!)  Here are some of my favorite verses:

On a cool November evenin’, here in the Landfall Dye Club/We celebrate the birthday of Allan Middleton

He’s a poker-playing gambler who likes to have a good time/Too bad he’s up fourteen from a good hand of twenty-one.

Chorus:

You’re thirty-five now, see I told ‘em, so you might as well just fold ‘em,

Your days of bluffin’ are over, and your youth is on the run.

Don’t ever count your candles when the cake is on the table.

The numbers just get worse from here, ‘til one day the dealin’s done.

4.  Bon Qui Qui.  Because I personalize song lyrics, I often get some pretty challenging requests.  I’ve been asked to tease an adult about the time he got so drunk he wet the bed.  I’ve been asked to mention deceased relatives in a song.  I’ve been asked to make reference to numerous inside jokes.  Perhaps one of the most unusual requests I have received was to include material from a comedian’s act on Bon Qui Qui.  More about that singing telegram in this blog post!

3. Duke Ladd Parties  If you’re not familiar with Duke Ladd, you should be!  He’s an incredibly talented pianist and musician.  I’ve had the good fortune of showing up at a few parties where Duke has been hired to play piano as entertainment for the evening.  Duke is so incredibly talented, he can pick up on the key I’m singing in and create instant background music to accompany any singing telegram I’ve written.  Although we’ve never rehearsed together, our impromptu numbers are always tons of fun, for me and the audience.  Duke follows in a way that allows all of the jokes in the singing telegram to shine, and I’m sure people think we’ve practiced ahead of time, but it’s all just fun and fabulous improv.

2.  Fancy Nancy  One of my all-time favorite “singing telegrams” didn’t involve singing at all!  I was asked to come to a little girl’s slumber party dressed as the “fancy” Bon Bon Queen and do a reading of the children’s book, Fancy Nancy.  Here’s how the evening turned out.

1. The Fireman  “Why do you only perform singing telegrams in public places?”, people often ask.  Well, it’s all because of the fireman.  In the early days, a woman called because she wanted me to perform a singing telegram for her boyfriend, a fireman.  The plan was that I would surprise him at the station, and sing in front of all of his firemen friends.  Now, this sounded like pure heaven.  I thought it could possibly be the best singing telegram ever (at least for me!). 

But the day of his birthday, Mr. Fireman decided to take the day off.  He called in sick and stayed at home.  His distraught girlfriend called me and begged me to still perform the telegram, but at their house instead.  I drove to the house and rang the bell, but no one answered.  I knocked several times, still no answer.  I called the girlfriend.  “No one is answering the door; perhaps he’s not home?”, I asked.  She assured me that he was there and begged me to try again. (My policy is that if I show up for a singing telegram and the recipient is not there, I still charge for the service.)  I agreed to try one more time.  I rang the bell and knocked again. 

This time, the fireman opened the door.  Wearing nothing but a towel.  Standing on a strange guy’s doorstep wearing a giant cake on my head and singing to him while he is dripping wet and practically naked is not nearly as fun as it may sound.  It was awkward and embarrassing for both of us.  Kind of like that scene in Elf when Buddy the Elf (Will Ferrell) sings a song for his new-found father, Walter (James Caan).  Only the scene lasted for 2 minutes instead of 10 seconds.  The fireman prompted a new policy:  The Bon Bon Queen only performs singing telegrams in public venues or at large parties.  No single serenades for me, thank you very much.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I can only imagine what new singing telegram memories are in store.  I look forward to being surprised by the requests of our customers who hire me to surprise others.

On Thursday, December 9th, South ‘n France Bon Bons, Wilmington’s premiere chocolate company, opens their doors to you from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for its annual holiday Open House. 

 Great discounts and door prizes will be offered as a way to say thank you to our local supporters. Forget those crowded shopping centers….check off your list by purchasing delectable bon bons in festive holiday boxes, mugs and tins. Enjoy great music and refreshments while the staff take orders and prepare gift packages to take home (or ship) just in time for Santa’s arrival! For directions refer to our calendar.

There’s nothing like a great love story.  I enjoy reading the New York Times wedding announcements, even though I’ve never known a single person featured therein.  I even own a book (that I bought long before I was married) called  How We Met: Chance Encounters and Other True Love Stories of Real-Life Couples.  And, of course, there is my own love story with Pascal, one I’ve told to countless audiences at Bon Bon Parties and public speaking events.

Whenever I meet a new couple, I love to ask:  “So, how did you meet?”  Recently, I met a bride-to-be with a really cool love story.  Lorie was on a plane, flying home after her daughter’s wedding, when she struck up a conversation with the man in the seat right next to her.  Little did she know that man would become her husband.  Talk about love in the air!

Lorie was living in Texas at the time, but the charming airline passenger, a resident of California, was undeterred.  A week later, when he traveled to Texas on business, he called Lorie and asked to take her to dinner.  The rest, as they say, is history.

Eventually Lorie moved to California to be closer to her beau (he’s a film producer).  And recently, the couple moved to Wilmington, NC to be near Screen Gem Studios where said producer has a few projects in the works.

Pascal and I were thrilled to be a small part of their wedding celebration.  We provided bon bon favors for the Welcome Baskets placed in hotel rooms for out-of-town guests, and we hosted a Bon Bon Party for the bride and her girlfriends the evening before the wedding.

Here’s a shot of the happy bride (in white) with her two daughters, Ashley (left) and Amanda (right), the one whose wedding started it all….

In the past, we’ve shared several reasons why we love our customers: you send us great mail; you take “tres bon bon” photos; you place creative orders; and you bring us cool stuff!   Well, here’s another reason we haven’t mentioned yet:

#174: You Make Us Giggle (and Gurgle)! 

We are blessed to have a customer who has one of the sunniest dispositions we’ve ever encountered.  Her bright and cherry attitude is matched by a melodious speaking voice and a completely infectious giggle.  Every time she comes to South ‘n France, she elevates our mood!

We were completely thrilled when Jane came to our Easter Open House.  She was our Easter Bunny this year, surprising us with a most unique gift–a GurglePot!  It’s a water pitcher shaped like a fish that gurgles after you pour water, wine, or the beverage of your choice. 

Of course, there is a fabulous French connection.  The creator of the GurglePot, Matt Ellison, tells the story like this:

We tried the pot right away, and the gurgle (listen here) definitely made us giggle!  Later that week, we entertained guests and served iced water to them in the GurglePot.  True to its promise, it was the hit of the evening and a hot topic of conversation.  Everyone enjoyed pouring their own glass of water and then listening for the gurgle.

What we love most about the GurglePot is that the gurgle makes of think of Jane and her fabulous giggle.   Perhaps we should try to invent a GigglePot…..

Locally, look for the GurglePot at Bella Anne in Hampstead, (Phone:  910-270-6371) or A Proper Garden on Anne St. near Elijah’s in downtown Wilmington (Phone 910-763-7177).   At this writing, A Proper Garden has black, chocolate brown, oatmeal, merlot, and mustard colored GurglePots in stock.  And the storekeeper said she’s getting a big shipment of all 16 colors on or before Friday 4/23.

 

 

Hi Charlene,

I have a confession to make….

After bringing home that tin of South ‘n France Bon Bons, a special Valentine’s gift for my very deserving boyfriend, I couldn’t help but sit there and think: “I’ve got a whole tin of super delicious bon bon’s in my fridge, just waiting to be eaten!”

After wrestling with my conscience for over an hour, I decided to cut the shrink wrap, open a coconut bon bon (my favorite!) and pop it in my mouth. Like an addict, I felt like I was stealing something, but the flavor overrode any guilt I was feeling. Then I had to re-arrange the bon bons in the tin to make it look like there were only 15 originally (instead of 16) .

There….I feel much better now. I haven’t decided if I will tell my boyfriend of the coconut fatality or not.

Thank you!

Loyal Customer Turned Thief,

Anonymous

Listing reasons why we love our customers is a regular feature on our blog. You send us great mail; you take “tres bon bon” photos;

#346: You Know How to Make a Frenchman’s Day
And that’s no easy feat! It all started when a charming, new-to-the area couple discovered South ‘n France in December 2008. They dropped in to buy bon bons for the holidays and started talking to Pascal about French wines. The monsieur is a serious wine collector with a very impressive cellar, and Pascal thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue. A few months later, this couple joined us for Dinner and a Movie when we featured our favorite French comedy, The Dinner Game (Le Dîner de Cons).

In the movie, the lead character, a wealthy publishing executive, suddenly has to open a bottle of wine for a tax inspector who is coming over to his luxury apartment. He fears that the tax collector will want to audit him when he sees his impressive wine collection, so he opens a 1978 bottle of Château Lafite (one of the most famous and expensive wines in the world) and pours vinegar into the bottle in order to mask its quality.

This couple joined us again recently at the launch for our new Wine & Dine Party. When they walked in the door, much to our shock (and Pascal’s incredible delight), they presented us with a most extraordinary gift – you guessed it! - a bottle of 1978 Château Lafite from the monsieur’s collection. This generous, thoughtful, and humorous gift made Pascal’s day, his week, his month, and quite possibly his year. As soon as we were finished working for the evening, he sat down to admire his new bottle, a new crown jewel in his own collection. You can be sure that we won’t be adding vinegar to that Château Lafite, no matter who’s coming to dinner! In fact, I suspect that it will be many years before Pascal even lets us get close to that bottle with a cork screw. Thank you, Dan and Pat, for making Pascal a very happy “cave man”. You can bet he’ll be proudly displaying that bottle of Château Lafite for all to see at our next showing of The Dinner Game!