In a busy market in Onitsha, there was a man who sold grains. But customers noticed something unusual about him. Whenever someone bought from him, he always added a little extra. A handful more rice. A few extra cups of beans. A small bonus without being asked. Some traders warned him. “You are reducing your profit,” they said. But he only smiled. One day, a young trader asked him why he continued this habit despite the loss. The man replied: “I am not losing. I am investing.” The young trader looked confused. He explained: “People remember how you make them feel. If they feel cheated, they leave. But if they feel valued, they return—and bring others.” Years passed. While other traders struggled with inconsistent customers, his stall remained busy. Not because he shouted louder. Not because he had the cheapest prices. But because people trusted him. He understood something simple: Value is not always measured in quantity. Sometimes it is measured in generosity. And generosity often returns in unexpected ways. The extra he gave was not waste. It was relationship-building. And over time, those relationships became his strongest business foundation. What is one simple way you think businesses can build stronger relationships with their customers?
