I admit it. Some years ago, as small business operators, my husband and I were guilty of a neglected restroom. It was clean, but unattractive and industrial. An interior designer had helped us plan a beautiful customer service area that showcased the products of our professional photo lab --- but the restroom had fallen by the wayside. It didn't reflect the level of customer service for which we were known, it didn't communicate anything about the theme of our business, and it didn't show that we cared. At that time, business was booming, and one day we tuned into the steady parade of women to our bathroom...and the light came on. We realized that we had overlooked the barest of necessities.

Given the go-ahead, I plunged into a restroom renovation with gusto. It was not an extreme makeover or a major remodel. This was a facility facelift. On a small budget, our restroom went from bland to beautiful. I wanted it to be memorable for our customers, and the mission was accomplished.

The improvements included pretty paint, crown molding, fresh flowers, photos galore (featuring a laminated floor graphic that looks like a rug), a false window, a piece of furniture for storage, and many amenities.

The result? Our customers gushed with gratitude and praise. This effort generated more enthusiasm than our most expensive marketing efforts in 25 years. It influenced repeat business, differentiated us from our competition, and sparked my ongoing passion for better restroom spaces everywhere. In a recession, when costly advertising may be out of the question, an economical bathroom upgrade is marketing money well spent.

Never underestimate the power of a powder room!

Participating bloggers for the Bathroom Blogfest ’09 include:

• Susan Abbott at Customer Experience Crossroads http://www.customercrossroads.com
• Reshma Anand at Qualitative Research Blog http://onqualitativeresearch.blogspot.com/
• Shannon Bilby at From the Floors Up http://fromthefloorsup.com/
• Shannon Bilby and Brad Millner at My Big Bob’s Blog http://blog.mybigbobs.com/
• Laurence Borel at Blog Till You Drop http://www.laurenceborel.com/
• Jeanne Byington at The Importance of Earnest Service http://blog.jmbyington.com/
• Becky Carroll at Customers Rock! http://www.customersrock.net
• Leslie Clagett at KB Culture www.kbculture.blogspot.com
• Katie Clark at Practical Katie http://practicalkatie.blogspot.com/
• Iris Shreve Garrott at Checking In and Checking Out http://circulating.wordpress.com/
• Julie at Julie’s Cleaning Secrets Blog http://cleaningsecrets.greatcleaners.com/
• Marianna Hayes at Results Revolution http://www.resultsrevolution.com
• Maria Palma at People To People Service http://www.people2peopleservice.com/
• Professor Toilet at Professor Toilet’s Blog http://www.professortoilet.com/
• David Reich at My 2 Cents http://reichcomm.typepad.com/
• Bethany Richmond at The Carpet and Rug Institute Blog http://www.carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com
• Carolyn Townes at Becoming a Woman of Purpose http://spiritwomen.blogspot.com
• Stephanie Weaver at Experienceology http://experienceology.blogspot.com;
• C.B. Whittemore at Flooring The Consumer http://flooringtheconsumer.blogspot.com
and Simple Marketing Blog http://www.SimpleMarketingBlog.com
• Linda Wright at Lindaloo.com: Build Better Business with Better Bathrooms http://lindaloo.com/