The Magic of Making People Feel Special: Lessons in VIP Treatment

There’s something extraordinary that happens when someone goes above and beyond to make you feel valued. It’s not just good service – it’s that moment when you realize someone truly sees you, understands your needs, and chooses to create something memorable just for you.

I’ve been fortunate to witness this kind of magic firsthand many times – allow me to share just two and how each experience taught me something profound about what it really means to treat people like VIPs.

As I wrote about last week, my son recently became a bone marrow donor. He was taking treatments to amplify his white blood cell count which was very hard on his body. He was in severe pain – in his bones. It was difficult. He had to travel by plane to complete the process and was very nervous for the flight. Worried about my “baby,” I went into “Mama Bear” mode… found a gate agent and explained that I would like to board my son first. When she discovered that Ian was to be a bone marrow donor, Dooney with Delta Air Lines, was immediately and positively responsive. She alerted the flight crew about the process that Ian was going through. She even asked if she could approach him to thank him for his generosity as a donor. She, indeed, boarded Ian first. Waiting for him at the end of the jetway was the pilot… followed by every member of the flight crew… to shake his hand, to provide him with bottled waters and snacks… to express appreciation. They made him feel like a VIP and made more comfortable what could have been an excruciating experience. It was amazing.

While on a recent visit to Chicago, our friend, Beth, turned us onto the lovely little restaurant, The Lunchroom. Not only is the food delicious and the attached boutique adorable, but the experience is next level! Kira, who manages the restaurant, treated us like family. She checked in on us, at our request, made recommendations about the food and the effect it would have on our bodies (think “nourishing,” “metabolizing,” “energizing,” coupled with “cooked to perfection”). In fact, during our three-day stay, we went to The Lunchroom twice – once for lunch (when you go, try the incredible California Kale with pulled chicken or the Niçoise Salad) and once for brunch (Kira was right, the soft cooked scrambled eggs with goat cheese, chicken sausage, and toast were, in fact, cooked to perfection). Kira and her team once again made us feel like VIPs. They even thanked us for “allowing [them] to care for [us].” Remarkable.

What strikes me about these experiences isn’t just that people did their jobs well – it’s that they chose to see the person behind the transaction. Dooney didn’t just process a boarding request; she saw a young man making an incredible sacrifice and turned that moment into something celebratory. Kira didn’t just serve food; she created an elevated experience that nourished both body and spirit.

These moments remind me that VIP treatment isn’t about luxury amenities or exclusive access. While those features are certainly nice, next-level experiences are more about recognition, personalization, and genuine care. This form of service transforms an ordinary interaction into something memorable.

So how can we deliver this kind of “next level experience” to our own clients and customers? Here are three ways to elevate your service:

• Listen for the story behind the need. Every client interaction has layers. When someone reaches out for your assistance, there’s usually more to their situation than meets the eye. Ask thoughtful questions, pay attention to what they don’t say as much as what they do, and look for opportunities to address their deeper needs and concerns – not just their surface requests.

• Create moments of unexpected delight. The most memorable VIP experiences happen when someone receives something they didn’t expect but genuinely appreciate. This doesn’t require grand gestures – it might be as simple as remembering a personal detail from a previous conversation, following up with resources that could help them, or offering a small courtesy that shows you were really paying attention.

• Express genuine gratitude for the privilege of serving them. Like Kira thanking us for allowing her team to care for us, there’s profound power in acknowledging that every client interaction is a choice. When you genuinely appreciate that someone chose to work with you, trust you with their needs, or allow you into their world, that gratitude becomes palpable – and transformative.

The beautiful thing about VIP treatment is that it costs nothing but thoughtfulness, yet it creates value that extends far beyond the immediate transaction. When you make someone feel truly special, you’re not just building customer loyalty – you’re creating an advocate, a story they’ll tell others, and a standard of excellence that elevates everyone around you.

Because in the end, isn’t that what we all want? To feel seen, valued, and cared for in a world that often feels impersonal and transactional. When we choose to be the person who provides that experience for others, we’re not just doing good business – we’re doing good in the world.

Happy Networking!

P.S. – Should you visit The Lunchroom on your next visit to Chicago (and, really, you should), be sure to ask for Kira and tell her that Alana from Kansas City sent you!