One of the hardest parts of client entertainment research is not only finding ideas that fit the Venn diagram of time, location, vibe, and cost, but also navigating the gauntlet of digital algorithms vying for your attention.
If you’re like me, one minute you’re dutifully compiling a list of curated entertaining ideas, and the next thing you know, you’ve gone down a rabbit hole of TikTok pizza reviews or reading your 44th NFL draft analysis.
Part of MeetWell is to save you from yourself and give you back that time.
Or at the very least, give your ADHD-fueled research journey a more productive starting point.
— Robbie
The Zen and Art of Making Your Own Cactus Planter
iLoveTus is a highly rated Woodland Hills-based plant shop that offers public and private cactus planting experiences.
After choosing a planter, the team will guide you through the process of creating your own arrangement and customizing it with decorative rocks, crystals, and moss. They’ll also give you tips on watering and maintenance to actually keep your plants alive.
The whole experience takes 1-2 hours and you’re welcome to bring in outside food and drinks.
They also offer mobile cactus planting experiences if you want to bring a cactus planting experience to the office or another location.
Where:
Store: iLovetus Shop: 4859 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA
Mobile Experience: You determine location
Reservations and Costs:
Public classes available weekly here for $55 per person.
In-store private classes available for up to 15 guests for $55 per person.
Note: For a private event, they require a minimum payment of $440 which covers 8 people. You can have fewer than 8 people, but will need to pay for 8 to reserve the whole space.
Every 30 minutes beyond 2 hours is an extra $100.
Mobile private classes for $55 per person plus an additional $300-400 transportation/set up fee.
Gift Certificates are also available if you need a cute client gifting idea for someone who lives in the area (here).
Contact:
Email [email protected] or reach out to Nina (who was lovely to speak with) for details on reserving an event and food suggestions nearby at 310-422-7205.
Links to send your client:
Added Value: This option has a lot going for it. It’s short, affordable, and everyone leaves with something for their desk or home office. For clients based in or around Woodland Hills, the in-store experience is a relaxing wind down from the day. And if your client or clients are on a different side of town, they'll bring the whole experience to your office.
Summer Friday Ad Relief Fundraiser at the Lighthouse in Hermosa on August 7th
Band Relief is a summer fundraiser concert benefiting Ad Relief, the LA ad industry’s premier charity supporting those in the community experiencing life crisis.
Leaning into the easy-breezy summer Friday energy, the event starts on Friday, August 7th at 3pm. Invite your clients as there will be plenty of time for mingling before two live performances. South Bay favorites The Max 80s kick things off, followed by Super Plate, led by Ad Relief board member Dave Anzivino, covering your favorite '90s and 2000s jams.
When: 8/7 from 3-7pm
Where: The Lighthouse Cafe (30 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254)
Cost: $100 ticket (early bird prices through 6/30). $125 after 6/30.
Buy tickets here
Added Value: As a member of the Ad Relief board and current President, this one hits close to home. In addition to being a great reason to duck out of work early on a Friday, I can personally vouch that every dollar raised from this event goes to help people in the LA ad industry experiencing extraordinary hardship get back on their feet.
Bring a Mobile Dog Grooming Service to the Office
What better way to get in your client’s good graces than hanging with them while you sponsor their dog getting spruced up? I spoke with two of Yelp’s best reviewed mobile dog grooming companies in LA, Breezy Paw and Jungle Pet Spa, about posting up outside an office to offer back-to-back appointments.
In order for either of them to execute this idea, they’ll need to know the size, breed, and coat style (long hair, short, etc.) of each dog along with which grooming service each dog needs.
Their suggestion was to pick a day, have clients sign up for spots with the necessary details, and the groomers will be able to provide a more complete timeline and budget.
For ideas like this that could be beyond your entertaining budget, I’ve spoken with some sellers about teaming up on events with other non-competitive sellers. If that would be interesting to you, reply to this email, and I can let you know who else is open to it.
Process:
Step 1: Gather intel from your clients to figure out how many dogs will be groomed. Get their breed, size, and service they need.
Step 2: Reach out to Breezy Paw or Jungle Pet Spa for exact quotes and date availability.
Rough cost and timing per dog (exact cost TBD):
Cost: $150-250
Timing: 45 to 90 minutes
Links to send your client:
Everyone knows what a happy, clean dog looks like, so I think the reviews on the respective Yelp pages speak for themselves, and would be the best thing to send your client (Breezy Paw and Jungle Pet Spa).
Added Value: This one is all about aligning incentives. You need some meaningful client facetime, your client needs their dog groomed, and everyone needs their evening back.
The Oasis 🏝
Ever been hanging with a client and conversation just runs dry? Whether it’s recent and topical, or general and evergreen, the Oasis is about giving you one idea for helping you in that moment.
Best summer stories. My wife is from St. Louis, and early on in our relationship, was excitedly telling me about all the cool things you can do in St. Louis during the summer. In a line I will regret ‘til my dying breath, I dismissively told her, “Yeah, but summer is nice everywhere” (which it kinda is!). Needless to say, my comment didn’t land particularly well, but it did get us talking about our favorite summer memories and earned me a stay of execution and another date.
Thanks for reading. Any feedback is appreciated - just hit reply to this email.