Remember what it was like when you were little, and you had to tag along for all the errands?

I do. It was no fun.

But not at first. Of course, it always seemed like a good idea at first.

After all, there’s something about going to the laundromat, and the corner grocer, and the mechanic’s shop that can be pretty exciting for a kid.

Usually, though, it only took about 5 minutes before the boredom quotient far exceeded any potential for adventure.

Flash forward a decade or two (or three), and I’ve noticed a small business trend that definitely separates the wheat from the chaff.

It’s nothing more complicated than making your business kid-friendly.

I’ve noticed coffee shops and tire shops and even sporting goods stores that understand one very important thing about customers.

Namely, that lots and lots of them have families.

But whether you have kids or not, you know this much: shopping is no fun with screaming kids.

So smart entrepreneurs try to get ahead of this issue. They spend $20-30 on children’s toys and magazines, maybe even a kid-sized table and a few min-chairs.

And what do they get for their modest investment?

Why, nothing more complicated than engaged, entertained, and happy kids.

And what don’t they get?

Stressed out, frustrated, frantic parents. The self-same ones who control the cash, checks and credit cards.

It’s a simple equation: Happy shoppers make for happy sales.

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