Business Education

How Small Businesses Can Copy the Disney Club 33 Concept Without Charging Customers a Hefty Price

Small businesses not only need ways to stand out from competitors but also to provide customers with unique value. That’s not an easy task. Fortunately, it’s not necessary to reinvent the wheel. Instead, entrepreneurs can take a page from a proven playbook. And one great place to find such a combination is Disney.

Anyone who has visited a Disney park knows firsthand that the experience is unlike any other. It’s not only impressive, but immersive. Guests receive a special level of customer service while simultaneously being transported to a different world. But there’s another perk Disney offers that caters to a super-select group of clientele, and it’s known as Club 33.

Clever Ways Small Businesses Can Emulate Disney’s Club 33 on a Budget

Disney’s Club 33 isn’t just an exclusive retreat—it’s a portal to magic. Tucked behind a nondescript door, this invitation-only enclave offers members gourmet meals, priority park access, and a whisper of old Hollywood glamour. Annual dues? A rumored $15,000, plus an initiation fee ranging from $25,000 to $50,000.

It’s the ultimate status symbol, fostering loyalty through exclusivity and personalized perks. But what if your corner café or boutique could capture that same allure without pricing out your regulars? Small businesses can absolutely replicate Club 33’s essence—community, surprise, and insider access—using clever, low-cost strategies. Here’s how.

Start with Subtle Exclusivity: Invite-Only Vibes Minus the Velvet Rope

The heart of Club 33 is its “members only” mystique, making guests feel like VIPs. Skip the hefty fees by launching a simple loyalty program that doubles as an “inner circle.” For instance, reward top spenders (say, $300 quarterly) with a free keycard granting “club” access. No dues required—just consistent patronage. Print elegant, wallet-sized cards on cardstock for under $50 via online printers. Suddenly, your coffee shop has a “Brew 33” nook with reserved seating during peak hours, evoking that hidden-door thrill without alienating newcomers.

This approach builds organic buzz. Encourage members to share subtle hints on social media (“Spotted in the shadows of [Your Business]—where the real magic brews”), turning exclusivity into free marketing. Data from loyalty apps like Square shows such programs boost retention by 20-30%, proving perceived value trumps actual cost.

Craft Memorable Experiences: Personalization on a Dime

Club 33 dazzles with bespoke touches: engraved nameplates, tailored menus, and staff who remember your drink order. Small businesses can mirror this without paying a sommelier-sized salary. Train your team—via free YouTube tutorials or a $20 staff huddle—to note preferences in a shared Google Sheet. “Frank or Debbie’s usual: oat milk latte with a cinnamon twist.” It costs nothing but feels priceless.

Elevate with low-budget events. Host monthly “club nights”: a wine tasting using bulk buys from Costco ($100 for six bottles) or a book club in a cordoned-off corner. For retailers, curate “preview parties” for new arrivals and invite your top 20 customers via text.

Disney’s secret? Storytelling. Theme your space around a narrative—your bookstore as a “Literary Lounge 33,” complete with faux-antique decor scavenged from thrift stores. These micro-moments create emotional bonds, as Harvard Business Review notes, driving 5x more referrals than discounts.

Foster Community: The Glue That Keeps Them Coming Back

Club 33 thrives on its tight-knit network—members mingle like old friends. Replicate this by blending online and offline worlds. Create a private Facebook Group or Discord for your “club” (free to set up) to share behind-the-scenes peeks: recipe tweaks, supplier spotlights, or polls on upcoming events. Transition to in-person mixers, like a potluck happy hour where members contribute sides—your cost? Just venue setup under $50.

This community angle turns customers into advocates. A local bakery in Austin, Texas, adopted a similar “Doughnut Den” model, hosting free baking demos for loyalists. Result? 40% sales bump from word of mouth, per owner interviews in Entrepreneur magazine. It’s Club 33’s social fabric, democratized.

The Payoff: Loyalty Without the Luxury Tax

Emulating Club 33 isn’t about copying Disney’s opulence—it’s about amplifying what makes your business unique. By layering exclusivity, personalization, and community on top of everyday operations, you cultivate superfans who spend more and stay longer. Implementation? Start small: Survey 10 customers for perk ideas, roll out in a month. Track via free tools like Google Analytics for foot traffic spikes.

Want to Accomplish More?

Do you want your company to grow faster and earn more while spending more time with your family doing everything you started your business to do?

We can make that dream a reality. Give us 30 minutes, and we will show you how to get your life back. Skeptical? Good! Put us to the test.

You can call us for your free appointment at 480-636-1720, or, if you prefer, send us an email. You can also visit us at Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

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Here’s What Small Business should Really Know about Retained Earnings

March 24, 2022 No Comments

The world has gone crazy. Well, it certainly seems that’s the case. Inflation continues to push up prices on just about everything. There’s a hot war in Europe that’s seriously impacting the free flow (and cost) of energy. All of this, not to mention an ongoing labor shortage, materials shortages, and plenty of other madness, wreaking havoc on day-to-day life. Of course, businesses aren’t immune to this madness — particularly small businesses. What this chaos does teach any entrepreneur or current business owner is the importance of retained earnings. But, what are retained earnings and how can small businesses build them up for difficult times that will inevitably unfold in the future? What are Retained Earnings Anyway? Retained earnings are an important part of any business. They are the funds that a company sets aside to cover expenses during tough times or to reinvest in the business. (Like now, when the entire world is topsy turvy and the economic circumstances are unstable and unpredictable, to say the least.) Retained earnings are an important concept in accounting. The term refers to the historical profits earned by a company, minus any dividends it paid in the past. The word “retained” captures the fact that because those earnings were not paid out to shareholders as dividends they were instead retained by the company. For this reason, retained earnings decrease when a company either loses money or pays dividends, and increase when new profits are created. —Investopedia.com During normal circumstances, retained earnings are generally used to expand. Examples include hiring additional employees, purchasing new equipment, bringing in new or more inventory to sell, or even acquiring new commercial property. But, when sales slow and the business isn’t earning enough, retained earnings can be used as savings to bridge the gap. How to Build Up a Business’ Retained Earnings One of the most important aspects of any business is its retained earnings. Retained earnings are funds that a company sets aside to cover expenses during tough times or to reinvest in the business. This money can be critical for businesses when they need to maintain cash flow during difficult periods or invest in new opportunities. There are two main ways to build up retained earnings. The first is to generate profits and reinvest them back into the business. This can be done by reinvesting profits into new products, expanding the business, or hiring new staff. The second way to build up retained earnings is to reduce expenses. This can be accomplished by cutting costs in areas such as marketing and/or overhead expenses. If you want your business to be prepared for anything, it is important to have a healthy retained earnings account. By reinvesting profits and reducing expenses, you can ensure that your company has the funds it needs to weather any storm. With a strong foundation of retained earnings, your business can thrive for years to come. Entrepreneurs should also Carefully Consider Retained Earnings if Buying an Existing Business When evaluating a company’s financial statement, it is important to look at the retained earnings line item. This number will tell you how much money a company has set aside to cover expenses during tough times or to reinvest in the business. If you are interested in investing in a company, it is important to make sure that its retained earnings account is healthy and growing. What else do you think new and existing business owners should know about retained earnings? Please share your own thoughts and experiences so others can better understand this important topic. Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

Waiting for Perfection is a Perfect Recipe for Failure

May 16, 2017 No Comments

We see it all the time–especially in the technology sector–companies pushing out products that aren’t perfect. Bugs, hang-ups, you name it, they exist right inside, and it’s usually weeks, even months, before the fixes come. It happened when Disney first opened its parks, when Apple rolled-out a smartphone with a proprietary map, when this or that company introduced a product with this or that problem. With so much money at-stake, and, the sheer number of consumers waiting with baited breath to get their hands on the latest, it’s little wonder why companies push-out products that aren’t quite ready. The question is about these instances is just why that is a reality? Why is it that mega-corporations, with some of the best talent on the planet, putting out products with bugs? The answer might lie in the quality control, or, it could be just a matter of human limitation–that is, not knowing everything about the product and/or not being able to foresee the future. Waiting for Perfection is a Perfect Recipe for Failure Though large organizations do introduce products that have problems, these are usually minor. However annoying the faults might be, they are not typically too big a deal. It does boggle the mind how it happens, but, it gives us a very good lesson about business: waiting for perfection is a perfect recipe for failure. Chasing perfection can become an addiction that’s unlikely to help your peace of mind or your business. It seems counterintuitive to stop reaching for perfection, especially since we’re often told it’s the only way to achieve success. All the extra time and effort to ensure every aspect of your business is perfect won’t move your company forward, and it’s very likely to drive you crazy. —Forbes Like the nearby quote states, it can be downright unhealthy to chase perfection. The larger lesson, though, is that nothing is ever finished if it isn’t started. We’re talking about ideas, new products and/or services, a new take on something old. Whatever it might be, entrepreneurs can’t wait to get it perfect because the longer it stays inside as a secret, the more opportunity there is for someone else with a similar idea to launch and chase their dream. While you’re waiting to get it 100 percent right, it’s costing you time, effort, and a lot of frustration. Instead of striving for perfection, here’s what you ought to be doing: Place value in feedback. You can always make changes and when people see that you’re not only willing to make them, but also to make other improvements, will come to trust your brand. Understand that you have limitations. Sure, you might be able to get it to work without a hiccup, but that comes at the cost of lost time and revenue. What’s more, you’re putting way too much pressure on yourself and team to demand it be exactly right. Launch in stages, if possible. If you are able to do so, release it in stages and fix along the way. Chances are if you can do it incrementally, you’ll see things that can be changed or improved for the next increment release. While you can wait to make it great, you shouldn’t rush to completion. Sometimes, companies give into the temptation to rush something out, even if it’s completed, just to get it out to sell. When you hurry, you make mistakes and don’t have the time for consideration. Perfection is admirable, but, it means you’ll fail if you keep waiting and waiting to launch. This type of Start up practice; don’t wait for perfection … has been formulated recently into what is called Lean Startup Methodology. Several of my colleagues and I met on this subject and we are planning a work shop for Entrepreneurs in October. As written by Steve Blank in the Harvard Business Review, “…recently an important countervailing force has emerged, one that can make the process of starting a company less risky. It’s a methodology called the “lean start-up,” and it favors experimentation over elaborate planning, customer feedback over intuition, and iterative design over traditional “big design up front” development. Although the methodology is just a few years old, its concepts—such as “minimum viable product” and “pivoting”— have quickly taken root in the start-up world, and business schools have already begun adapting their curricula to teach them.” Take your idea to market and test what the buyer says about it … today! [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

Is Your Chatty Employee Costing You? The Surprising Truth for Small Businesses

February 27, 2025 No Comments

We all know someone who tends to rattle on a little too much. It’s one thing when it’s a relative or friend outside the office, but an entirely different dynamic when it’s a work colleague.