My friend, please allow me to begin our time today with a question: When your picture is taken in a group setting, and you see the print for the very first time, whose picture do you look for first? Of course, the correct answer is “your own,” as this is just human nature.

Today I want to tell you about a terrific advertising idea. Since most of us who are gainfully employed are in the “people” business to provide a product or service, this should be of interest to all of us. Janis has a grandson and family who live in Greenbrier, a community about 10 miles north of us. We see them quite often, especially since we are the only grandparents they have close by. 

Well, our grandson Liam had a birthday a few weeks ago, and we met them after church at Mojos Pizza in Greenbrier to celebrate it. This is a unique restaurant and they have something to advertise their business that I have never seen before. Greenbrier has an outstanding school system and has about 300 students graduate each year. Janis was the valedictorian for this school and graduated several years before, won’t tell you how many. This community has also experienced tremendous growth in recent years.

Mojos Pizza has a large dining area that opens up after going down a narrow hall for several feet to the room, and the wall on the left side of the room is about 50 feet long. This wall contains portraits of more than 100 of the current members of this year’s senior class. The main point of this column is that these are not just ordinary portraits, all black and white, all the same size and lined up in rows. No indeed, these are glamour shots, all in color and in every setting you can imagine, from athletes in their uniforms, to students in and around swimming pools. Others are wearing formals and favorite dresses, or taking action shots. All of the photos are arranged on this giant wall to form a collage. 

Now, since we all relate to people, and in one way or another are all in the people business, can’t you just see these students coming by the restaurant on a regular basis, bringing their parents, relatives, and friends to see their photo and all the other classmates featured there. And I feel confident a good number have a pizza or two while they are there. Talk about advertising, this is the best. I don’t know any of these kids, but I can’t wait to go back and see them. 

If the students’ photos were not enough, there is more. In the very back room, there is another wall that contains portraits of more than 50 veterans from the community who have served in the Armed Forces, each one wearing their uniform with their medals, stripes and other insignias that designate their branch of service. At the very bottom of the framed photo was a blank space that contained the name, unit, and branch of service. If you have an ounce of patriotism in your body, you would be moved and impressed by this display. To God be the Glory.

—

(Jim Davidson is an author, public speaker, syndicated columnist, and Founder of the Bookcase for Every Child project. Since its inception in the Log Cabin Democrat in 1995, Jim’s column has been self-syndicated in over 375 newspapers in 35 states. For a personalized copy of “Your Future Begins Today” send $20, which includes postage and handling, to Jim Davidson, 2 Bentley Drive, Conway, AR 72034.)