Since it’s a short work week for many of us, I want to share something simple but powerful.

Gratitude.

Today on LinkedIn, I wrote about the impact of saying thank you. Not the generic kind, but genuine appreciation. People remember when you thank them. They remember when you notice their effort, acknowledge their trust, or show them they matter.

And here’s the thing: gratitude is not just a nice gesture. It is one of the simplest ways to create a meaningful brand experience.

Strategy to think about

Your brand is not what you say, or how you describe your services, or what you post online. Your brand is how people feel when they interact with you.

A thoughtful, genuine thank-you is one of the strongest brand signals you can send. It creates emotional loyalty. It strengthens relationships. It builds trust. And it often leads to the kind of word-of-mouth that no ad campaign can buy.

Gratitude, when it is specific and personal, is a business strategy.

Why this matters

Clients remember who appreciates them.

They remember professionals who show up with kindness, humanity, and respect. A brand that demonstrates gratitude feels different. It stands out. It becomes memorable.

This idea extends beyond clients, too.

If you have employees, part-timers, contractors, or collaborators, they also form impressions about your brand. Showing appreciation to the people who help you do your best work strengthens your culture, improves retention, and supports your reputation as an employer of choice.

A team that feels valued becomes one of your strongest brand assets.

This is especially important for small and founder-led businesses, where relationships drive revenue, reputation, and long-term success.

Here’s what to do this week

Take a moment to think about the people in your business ecosystem who help you do your best work. This might be a client who trusts you, an employee who goes above and beyond, a contractor who makes your life easier, a mentor who guides you, or a partner who always shows up.

Do a quick gratitude audit, choose the ones who come to mind first, and thank them in a way that feels personal.

As you do this, ask yourself: “Does my brand feel grateful? Do people feel appreciated after working with me or working for me?”

If the answer is yes, you are already building a stronger brand experience.

That’s all we have time for today.

Until your next BrandTherapy session,

Andy