Welcome And Guest Introduction

SPEAKER_02 0:14

Are you ready to live an active lifestyle? Welcome to Behind the Bluff, where we believe every moment of your life is an opportunity to pursue wellness on your terms. I'm your host, Jeff Ford, and today I have the pleasure of being joined with Marie McConnell, Director of Member Relations for Palmetto Bluff Club. Marie joined us in 2022 after serving as the membership director at Berkeley Hall, and she plays a critical role in shaping how members experience this community every single day. Today, we're going to talk about how member relations define the experience here at Palmetto Bluff through connection, culture, and belonging. Marie, welcome to the show.

SPEAKER_00 1:00

Hi, thanks for having me.

Marie’s People First Career Path

SPEAKER_02 1:01

I'm so glad we could make this happen. And I want to kick things off by having you share your background and what led you into member relations.

SPEAKER_00 1:12

Yeah. So I actually started out in clubs back in Buffalo, um, working at a small tiny club called Fox Valley Club. Um, and really kind of found my passion for clubs there. I knew that I wanted to stay working in clubs and helping people. I've always kind of been drawn to roles where relationships are at the center. So early in my career, I realized it wasn't just the operations that I cared about. It was more, you know, fulfilling for me. And I was more energized as a leader when I was connecting with people, learning their stories, and helping to shape their experiences. So there wasn't one single moment that I knew, but um, it definitely became clear that this is what I wanted to do.

SPEAKER_02 1:53

Yeah. So developing relationships, being around people, that was a big part of this calling for you.

SPEAKER_00 1:59

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_02 1:59

Now you're a Buffalo Bills fan, is that right?

SPEAKER_00 2:01

For sure. Go Bills, baby.

SPEAKER_02 2:04

Any other unique aspects to your background, who you are, to allow our listeners to get to know you?

SPEAKER_00 2:10

I mean, a huge part of my life is my family. So I have three little boys, they mean everything to me. My husband, who I is actually my high school sweetheart. So uh yeah, we broke up in college for a couple of years, but uh got back together and started this life in the low country. And and you know, my parents are a huge part of my family or my life and my brothers too. So really, really family-centric, and they probably shape me to who I am more than anyone else.

SPEAKER_02 2:34

So and you have two dogs.

SPEAKER_00 2:36

And I have two dogs.

SPEAKER_02 2:37

Yeah, you'll see them around campus, everyone.

SPEAKER_00 2:40

Yeah, Luna and Poppy. They they come visit once in a while.

SPEAKER_02 2:43

What's something most people don't know about you? You're you're obviously very family oriented. You love connecting with people. It's it's not just a role for you here, it's a passion. What else is it unique about Marie?

SPEAKER_00 2:57

I think some some people probably most people probably don't realize that, you know, everyone who can be this big connector and relationship builder also can be an introvert at times too. When I go home sometimes, you know, it's that quiet, calm, it's the recharging in those moments, doing yoga, making sure I'm at peace with myself and that I so that I can show up to be the best person for my family and my team here. So um, I think that introversion is is something that most people don't get to see, but it's a huge part of what builds me.

SPEAKER_02 3:26

Yeah, I totally relate to that. Uh, I think a lot of folks who are in roles, who develop relationships daily, you know, turn it on, tend to be introverted. It's like this switch that we're able to make. And, you know, sometimes we we have a superpower because we're we're able to recharge and take those breaks away from uh people at times.

SPEAKER_00 3:46

For sure. And I think, and it's so true, like you say, turn it on. It's like all of us know how to put on our best face when we have to, but also we know how to recharge for ourselves and for our team so that we can we can do that, right? Like you have to have some kind of uh balance and internal um, you know, boost for yourself.

SPEAKER_02 4:05

Yeah, yeah. Recharging the batteries, the reset. Uh, you know, I always relate what we do to to Disney World, right? Uh we we are part of the experience here, and it's so important that we bring positive energy and uh that type of conversation and interest in the members that we get to work with.

SPEAKER_01 4:25

For sure.

SPEAKER_02 4:26

Marie, you are a certified yoga teacher too. You mentioned yoga, that's how you kind of recharge a little bit. I am. Tell us more about that. I know we haven't thrown you on a class yet, but I uh that reminded me that we need to do that sometime soon.

SPEAKER_00 4:38

Yeah, we should actually. I'll be a guest teacher, it'll be super fun. Um, so uh when I lived in Buffalo, I started um so I was an athlete my whole life. So I played soccer, I played basketball um pretty competitively, played premier soccer, played AAU basketball. Um, just you know, always was super competitive. And as I got older, I I wanted something that was um, you know, for me, something different, something that was not a team sport, but something that I could just dive into and fully, you know, immerse myself in. And I started doing power yoga, which is um Baron Baptiste. So um did, you know 40 days. Um, I don't know if you've heard of it, but it's like a 40-day immersive like you do yoga every day for 40 days, you learn all about Baron Baptiste.

SPEAKER_02 5:24

Um Baron Baptiste, that's the name of the practice.

SPEAKER_00 5:28

Yeah, it's his version of yoga. It's like power yoga, so it's a quicker pace. It's um, you know, you're doing 150 sun salutations in an hour and a half class. So it's it's a it's a more power-driven yoga. Um, but for me, and it's heated also, so it's like in 98 degrees. So you're, you know, you're moving your body and you're just really using your breath to push yourself through all of those, those movements. But for me, it shuts off my mind so that I can, again, just bring myself back to what I need for um, you know, recharging. But as I fell in love with it, I was like, you know, I think I want to learn more. I don't know if I ever want to teach yoga per se, like professionally, but I wanted to know, you know, all of the different like Sanskrit terms. I wanted to know the language, I wanted to know all about the chakras and all of that stuff. So uh during COVID, I was like, this is the perfect time. I'm gonna do this virtually, did a 200-hour and then actually did a couple of yoga retreats in Greece. So um with the teacher who I who I was certified through. So it was really cool. And again, I think there's a lot of yoga that you can relate to everyday life and to what we do here. So um, you know, keeping calm and using your breath to kind of regulate yourself and and being strong and powerful in a lot of different ways that connect to what we do, I think it's important to kind of keep everything going and relate it all back to one another.

SPEAKER_02 6:49

Yeah. Yeah. I'm hearing you you learned the connection between this style of yoga, your breath, and how it related to to life and and your role here at the bluff. So for members who don't know you, I'd love for you to describe what you do as a director of member relations.

What Member Relations Does Daily

SPEAKER_00 7:07

Yeah. So um, you know, really truly it it's it's um at the core, it's about being a connector, right? Um at Berkeley Hall, it was really more involved in the tours and trying to connect those people to why they wanted to live at Berkeley Hall here. It's more about being a leader for my team and enhancing the member experience. So we have the concierge team who manages, you know, all of the different member needs and reservations, but also they're here, they're friendly faces. If you bring your dog into the membership office, you know that that concierge team will be up and giving your dog treats and making everyone smile and laugh, which I love to see. Um, we manage all of the short-term rentals coming through the gates by regulating the access. Um, we also Marissa Wolf is our membership manager. She's amazing. She's such a friendly face, and um I think a great way to set the tone for when new members come in. She actually calls it Disney for adults here.

SPEAKER_02 8:03

Oh, she does too.

SPEAKER_00 8:04

Yeah. So it's funny that you said that. But and then uh Riley is the concierge manager, and she also manages the VIP program. And then Nicole is our uh communications and marketing manager for the club. So she's handling all the newsletters, you know, all of the tidings, the PB living, everything that comes out. And I my goal is to lead them and kind of guide them to find out what it is that they want to do and how we can also impact the member experience. So I'm kind of there, like you're the conduit. Yeah, I'm I'm shepherding them a little bit to kind of see like, you know, what can we do? Give them ideas, let them make mistakes, but also learn from those mistakes and become better. So, and again, my team is so amazing. They truly care about the members and what their experience is. They're always trying to brainstorm new ideas. So I love that.

SPEAKER_02 8:51

Yeah, yeah. Your team is extremely active, great human beings over there. And it's so cool to see the evolution because Riley and Marissa have have grown into new roles. And that's something I find so incredible about our operations here at Palmetto Bluff Club is we're always trying to promote from within. And you can tell with your description of your role that that you're more the guide, you're the person uh bringing those ideas in. And and I've always found you have very good discernment. So I I often come over and ask Marie questions in regards to you know what we should do with our department sometimes.

SPEAKER_00 9:28

Discernment or just opinionated, maybe.

Belonging Built Through Small Moments

SPEAKER_02 9:31

Hey, it works for me. Um well, thank you so much for sharing more on the role and um just who you are. I appreciate the the vulnerability of your background. I I've found that in you know 110 episodes that members getting to know the leaders of our club and our teammates is is what they find uh most interesting from the podcast. So let's dig into member experience in community. You've mentioned it a few times thus far. When you think about member experience, what does that actually look like in practice at Palmetto Bluff?

SPEAKER_00 10:07

Yeah, I think um to me, it feels like a lot of small intentional moments that build a a larger sum, right? It's it's how someone is greeted, it's how they quickly feel comfortable when they walk into the membership office. It's you know what how they can show up and move into this community and immediately feel like they're a part of something. Um it's not one big thing, but it's it's more consistency across everything. Do you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_02 10:34

Yeah. Yeah. The collective small behaviors.

SPEAKER_00 10:37

Small behaviors build a big, big feeling and a big culture.

SPEAKER_02 10:41

So member experience, it's all about compound interest.

SPEAKER_00 10:45

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_02 10:45

Let's jump into a few intentional ways that you and your team help create a true sense of belonging here, not just participation, but especially for new members. I always see new members coming into the membership office, and you can see like eyes a little glazed over. There's a lot going on here at Palmetto Bluff. So walk us through the intentional ways for that true sense of belonging and then specific to new members, how do you uh uh approach uh those individuals?

SPEAKER_00 11:13

Um Yeah, and it it's great that you say intentional because that's exactly what I was gonna say. It's we're intentional about our introductions, our early touch points. Um, it's not enough to just hand someone a binder with all the orientation information, but we want to understand what they enjoy and help plug them into the right people so that, you know, they can have those immediate experiences. And also, it starts with Marissa. Um, she is so good at connecting with our members and trying to pull things from just how their emotions, what they're saying, things they've mentioned in passings, because she's reaching out to them right when they go under contract on a home.

SPEAKER_02 11:50

Once everything's signed, Marissa, it's go time.

SPEAKER_00 11:53

Yep. So she reaches out and, you know, she's learning about those people from that moment on. And she is so good when she meets them in person. Um, so we've really kind of developed this culture in my office of um trying to really listen to what people are saying um along the way, not just right in front of you, but things people have mentioned in passing because those are the things that people care about. It's the little things they're mentioning. So we've really tried to pull into those and then pull them together and mesh them in with experiences at Palmetto Bluff because belonging happens faster when it's more personal.

SPEAKER_02 12:26

Yeah. Yeah. Kind of a personal onboarding approach. So understanding what new members have mentioned in the past or in the early goings of their time here and getting them connected with the right parties that can help them have experiences here at the Bluff quicker than they may have not been able to do alone.

SPEAKER_00 12:45

Yeah, exactly. And for those people that aren't like so quickly sharing information, um, the concierge team has actually created the sheet of interest, pet names, you know, alumni, you know, all that information so that we have that database and we know who went to school where, where they're from. And then my team has actually started connecting and reaching out to people that they think would be, if they're, you know, here full time, people that they think would be a cool, you know, relationship or things like that. So we're always doing whatever we can to try and make things more personal.

The Dog Paparazzi Board Tradition

SPEAKER_02 13:19

Yeah. Sounds like there's never a bad time to invent a new way of doing things or to up the ability to connect with our members. Now, something I've always found inspiring is the dog board over at the the membership office. Uh tells tell those who may be unfamiliar with your dog process here at the bluffs.

SPEAKER_00 13:39

Sure, sure. So um we have what's called the paparazzi board. So PAW um parazi. But yeah, it's it's really awesome. Um, I think we all know people love their dogs, they love their pets, and we do too. We love seeing them. So when you move into Palmetto Bluff, we ask if you have a dog, we tell you to bring them into the office. We have a little um Polaroid camera. We take their photo in our office and we put it up. But it is amazing how many people come in just to look at the paparazzi board and be like, there's, you know, there's Luna, there's Poppy. They come in, they look for their dogs. If they're getting a new dog, they're like, I can't wait to bring in my dog and get the picture on the paparazzi board. So it's just become this really cool thing, a tradition that people love and something different, I think, that definitely clubs are not doing.

SPEAKER_02 14:25

So yeah.

SPEAKER_00 14:41

You know, I think it brings people joy. And like, again, it's it doesn't have to be this over-the-top thing, but it's this this little thing that we can do that makes people happy. And um, it makes us happy too, which if we're happy, then the members are happy, I think. So, you know, it's uh it's definitely something cool and I love it. I I can't wait to see where it goes because I think the concierge team is always brewing up some new ideas.

SPEAKER_02 15:04

So yeah, with the growing number of members too, let's let's see if we can get this paparazzi board in the in the thousands. Who knows? That's that's probably a lot, but let's shoot for 500. We'll see what happens.

SPEAKER_00 15:14

Yeah, we we've got to have at least a couple hundred. A couple hundred, I would say.

SPEAKER_02 15:17

Very cool.

SPEAKER_00 15:18

Yeah.

Where Clubs Get Experience Wrong

SPEAKER_02 15:19

Marie, you've worked in clubs your entire career, and I always like to personally be different with how we go about doing things. I I come from a resort type setting, retreat program. And um, I think it's been a huge strength for our team to have potentially not worked in clubs for a period of time because kind of looking at it differently, how can the experience be different? So, from your perspective, being in clubs most of your career, where do private clubs often get this wrong when it comes to member experience?

SPEAKER_00 15:53

Yeah, I think I think sometimes clubs focus too much on going over the top. Um, and again, not finding that true focus of what members care about. Um, you know, it can be all about doing programming. And, you know, people in clubs kind of think, oh, we look at we have this whole calendar, but if it's not a calendar full of things that creates connection and they're not things that the members truly care about, it, you know, it's meaningless.

SPEAKER_02 16:21

Um so more isn't always better.

SPEAKER_00 16:23

More is not always better. Um, again, it's it's intentional. It's trying to make those connections on a sm smaller, granular more basis than just being over the top all the time. Um, what I love about Pimento Bluff is it's more relaxed than a traditional club. It's it's not a country club, you know. It it's it's a place where people live. This is their home. Um, and we are so lucky we get to be a part of making their home the best and coolest place possible. So um, to me, I think again, it's it's being more intentional and just creating that connection rather than going over the top. It doesn't have to be white glove service. It's more about being real and building those relationships with our members.

SPEAKER_02 17:02

Yeah, Marie, I'm really hearing authenticity from our team to the members, that realness of who we are is is who we are. And yes, we as a collective team do some incredibly over-the-top events like Stephanie and and Mia, Fourth of July is like signature, right? Absolutely. And we have those events, but to your point, it's about the connection though, the small moments that make people feel like this is their home. And I think what I've been so surprised about in my short tenure in in club industry is how proud people become of their club.

SPEAKER_00 17:44

Absolutely. I think people's connection to their club is something, you know, they brag about it. They talk about it to their friends and what a what a great place this is to brag about because truly, like you said, the events, although amazing and can be over the top, they're based off of member feedback. You know, the signature events that we do, um, we're really lucky. My my team gets to collaborate with Stephanie and Mia and kind of give our opinion and they talk to the concierge team about what members are saying. So we have a really, really good process for coming up with things that people truly are interested in and enjoy. But yeah, I mean, it's so true. People feel a deep connection to their clubs, and and again, even more so here because this is their home.

SPEAKER_02 18:24

Yeah. And I I think uh one word we haven't used is vibe. You know, it's all about creating the vibe around here. For sure. You know, and that's that's why we like the functional training studio right up front. You know, um, I I like to think um the new Paul Metal Bluff Club Fitness Center is is different than other clubs, and it's less about fancy equipment. We've got great equipment in there, but it's more about the connections and the vibe and the energy and that small, like what do the members actually need? And our members want to connect through fitness classes. We know that.

SPEAKER_00 18:57

Absolutely. I mean, fitness is really truly, we've seen the growth. You you've done an amazing job. And um, you know, kudos to you for putting that functional training right in the front because I love that. I mean, the turf right in the front is gonna be so cool, and you're right, so different from other clubs, but that's where fitness is going and that's where people want to be. And it's it's for sure, it's another great spot to just connect.

A New Member Connection Story

SPEAKER_02 19:21

Yeah, and as stewards of the member experience, I I think that's what you and I both have a lot in common. Actually, all of our directors, of course, with being ahead of what people want, where it's going. And I that separates clubs from other clubs, individuals and teams who think like that, that things can always be better. And I do appreciate your discernment on all things fitness because I've I've used it from time to time. Can you share a story or moment that really captures the spirit of the Palmetto Bluff Club community?

SPEAKER_00 19:53

You know, we see so many members coming in and out of the office every day, but there there's a few people who um make things really special and and you know, for us too, we we we know them more intimately than some of the other members, which is always our goal. You know, we want we want to get to know our members. Um the Schicklers are, you know, they were newer here, they didn't really know anybody. Um, they don't really, they weren't really participating in a lot of events, but I saw how my team really went above and beyond to invite them to things, to get them out to things. Like we had the associate member pickleball tournament. They didn't want to play in it, but they were like, come out and watch. They did. They came out, they watched the whole thing. Um, but those thoughtful introductions and invitations. I watched how that relationship grew and grew and grew. Months later, they're inviting us to their house for a Christmas party with the Crossroads team, um, making homemade pizzas and I heard I heard the Schicklers have a great pizza oven. Uh-oh, it's phenomenal. And Mr. Schickler makes awesome sourdough, makes his own crust. Mrs. Schickler has a heart of gold. So um just really great people. And I think that's so cool about what we do is we get to meet these awesome people and interact with them every day. And um, but but for me, it was more about how the team took people that didn't really know anyone and now they're immersed in all these, they've made connections with other members. They have a connection to my office, they bring in Bella, who's their dog, and um, Bella will not walk by the membership office without coming in for a treat. So um, you know, it's just it's really like I know that's a real relationship. And what's more beautiful than that, than a real tangible relationship between members and my team and myself that it's just like something that you you can't explain, but it's it's awesome to see. And for me, that's like that's a moment of what Palmetto Bluff is. It's it's truly a place of connection, not only between ourselves, like directors and and staff, but but with the Members in the team. I think it's truly amazing. And we really do try to make sure we're we're having those moments with all of our members as much as we can.

SPEAKER_02 22:08

Yeah. What a what a trigger point with that story of galvanizing new members who maybe are more introverted and maybe less apt to get involved with things. Your team took the time to get them out there to get them excited about trying something new. And I think in a big environment like Palmetto Bluff, with so many members and so many different programs going on, that that's what it's going to take as we continue to grow. I think so. These little moments of, hey, we want you there. This is going to be fun. And then the relationship just evolves from there as you described.

SPEAKER_00 22:51

Well, and I think that's that's what's scary, right? As we keep growing. Like we don't want to lose what we have. And so we're trying to make sure, you know, the connection is at the core of what we do. And so just anything we can to just try and keep, even though we're a large community, 20,000 acres, how can we make it feel like it's 500, you know?

SPEAKER_02 23:11

Yeah. Yeah. As the club gets bigger, we need to be the stewards of making it feel even smaller.

SPEAKER_00 23:18

Exactly.

Protecting Culture During Growth

SPEAKER_02 23:20

Great transition from member experience and community to now identity and vision. You know, as the membership director here, you've got a pretty good handle on where we're going, where we need to go, what that's going to look like. And uh it's exciting. I I honestly think if I worked at another club, I'd probably get quite bored with just my personality. And I'm wondering from you, as the club grows and evolves, what's something you feel protective of when it comes to the member experience?

SPEAKER_00 23:52

I think it's the culture. You know, growth growth is exciting, but maintaining that sense of authenticity and connection is everything. You never want to lose the feeling that people truly know and care about each other. Um, because I go back to this is this is their neighborhood. This is their home. We're their club, but we're also their home. So um the culture for me has to has to keep its integrity or else we're in trouble.

SPEAKER_02 24:17

Yeah. Yeah, it's no longer a club if that culture's not there.

SPEAKER_00 24:21

Exactly.

SPEAKER_02 24:22

If you had to just describe Palmetto Bluff Club in three words, what would they be and why?

SPEAKER_00 24:29

The three words I would say is grounded, immersive, and connected. Um grounded because I think this place brings people back to nature with the conservancy and with everything that we're doing. Um, and immersive because people get to be present in the moment when they're here. When I pull into the gates, you know, you have that moment of it's calm. It's kind of like a bubble from the outside world. You get to experience the rivers and all of the fitness, and you get to be present in the moment. So you're immersed immediately into this culture, right? The culture we're building. Um, and then connected because again, we're it's all about the connectivity. It's members being with each other, creating these awesome events that we have to kind of pull everyone together. Um, but truthfully, like I think it's all all of those three are very balanced. And that's kind of because, you know, there's space for both activity and relaxation, but also in a grounded manner. It's not this, like we said, over the top, crazy club. It's it's a place where people live and can be themselves and find their passions and enjoy what they're doing.

SPEAKER_02 25:42

Yeah. I I connect right to that because something unique about our club is I wouldn't say members feel the need to get dressed up all the time.

SPEAKER_00 25:52

For sure.

SPEAKER_02 25:52

And I was talking to a member just the other day, new member, and he was so grateful. It the word immersive triggered for me because this is what the this gentleman was explaining. He was like, When I'm up in Vermont, not here at Palmada Bluff, he's been here a month. I have to get in my car to do X, Y, and Z. And today I was at Wilson Lawn and Racket, got my tennis in, walked the trails, rode my bike over here, got a couple of fitness classes in, and you could just see how pumped he was that it is an immersive experience here. Everything is here, and you don't have to get distracted from the outside world. So very similar to kind of the relaxed vibe that you you you shared there and and just kind of like in action his take.

SPEAKER_00 26:42

Yeah, yeah. And I I just think it's so easy to be distracted by the outside world. We all have a million things going on, but when you come here, and I think the members who who live here can feel um, you know, the true truly being present in in what we have and in this beautiful place.

One Small Action To Strengthen Community

SPEAKER_02 27:01

So yeah. The specialness of the property does not go unnoticed. So we're at that point in the episode. Love to get action oriented here, give, give our people who have joined the conversation today just some action steps. So what's one small thing members can do that actually makes the community stronger?

SPEAKER_00 27:27

Um, you know, be intentional about reaching out. Um, invite someone new to join you for something, a fitness class or something simple. You know, that small gesture can completely change a new member's experience. Um, and also it's it's bragging about this place, like we said. I mean, there's so many amazing, beautiful things here and so many great things that our team is doing. It's a truly a place to be proud of. So I think those two things kind of go hand in hand. But again, it's reaching out to someone, it's just those small, simple steps that create a bigger connectivity and experience.

SPEAKER_02 28:00

Help other members, like-minded members get involved.

SPEAKER_00 28:04

For sure.

Wellness Means Balance And Gratitude

SPEAKER_02 28:05

Maureen, as you know, we we talk a lot about wellness on this podcast, and you deserve the credit here. You were actually the one who said, Jeff, you're creating a podcast. That's awesome. And you you had a little invention, Moan, and you said, Well, what's going to be your final question? And I'm like, What what do you mean? What's a final question? And you said, you know, I think one thing that would connect the podcast episode to episode is asking the same question to all your guests. And so we've now been doing that for over 110 episodes, and you finally get the opportunity to answer that question. So, Marie, what does wellness mean to you?

SPEAKER_00 28:46

Yeah, um, I love this question because for everyone, it's so different, right? But for me, wellness really comes down to balance. It's having the ability to move, connect, and also slow down. You know, here that looks like something different for everyone, but for me, it's, you know, having I get I woke up today. I get to go for a run, I get to do yoga, and then I get to come home and be with my family. I I read this quote the other day. It was like, I woke up in a room full of my or a house full of my family. And what better way to start my day? So um I think it's really just finding that balance between connection, movement, and um slowing down, time with friends, quieting down, you know, all of those things. It doesn't have to be rigid, it's personal for everyone, but for me, that's what it means.

SPEAKER_02 29:34

Yeah. Gratitude for what we get to do every day. For sure. Maureen, thank you so much. Appreciate all the support that you provide for our department, everything that Marissa Riley, concierge team, just the rock stars, Nicole. No doubt. Yeah, Nicole is an occupied human, does so much for all the departments. So special shout out to Nicole as well.

SPEAKER_00 29:57

Thank you. Thank you for having me and letting me share a little bit.

SPEAKER_02 30:00

Yeah. Appreciate it. Glad we could make this happen.

Culture Is What We Do Daily

SPEAKER_00 30:02

For sure.

SPEAKER_02 30:03

Listeners, feel free to hang out with me for a few more minutes and get some healthy momentum for the rest of your week. Marie said it simply, but it carries a lot of weight. As Palmetto Bluff grows with more homes, more members, more activity, the challenge isn't growth itself. The challenge is preserving what makes this place feel small. Knowing someone's name, a genuine conversation, that moment where someone feels seen. That's culture. And culture isn't a slogan or something written on a wall, even though that's the connotation most folks have of it. Culture is how we behave. It's the small, repeated actions that define what people experience when they're around us. At Pull Mutal Bluff, two of the operating principles are to develop positive relationships and to exceed expectations. And when you really think about it, those aren't just business principles. They're life principles. Because zoom out for a second, what actually makes life meaningful? It's not just achievement, it's not just growth, it's the quality of our relationships. It's the way we show up for people, it's the feeling we create in a room, on a team, and in our homes. That's culture. And here's the part we all have to own. Culture doesn't just happen. It's created, it's protected, it's reinforced daily. In your family, are you creating moments where people feel known and valued? On your team, are you going beyond the transaction and building real relationships with your teammates? And in your own life, are you holding yourself to a standard of exceeding expectations, not for recognition, but because it reflects who you are?

SPEAKER_01 32:26

Culture is intangible. But the great news is that when it's rocking and rolling, you can feel it immediately.

SPEAKER_02 32:36

You can feel when culture's strong, you can feel when it's off. And when it's right, it creates something powerful. It creates joy, it creates pride. It gives people a sense of belonging and purpose. So maybe the takeaway today is this don't just let culture be something you experience, make it something you create. Protect the small things, the names, the conversations, the paparazzi board, the extra effort. Because in the end, that's what people remember. And that's what makes any place, whether it's a club, a team, or a home, feel truly special.

Closing And May Bonus Teaser

SPEAKER_01 33:29

Create it, protect it, live it. Because culture isn't what we say, it's what we do every single day. That brings us to the end of our episode.

SPEAKER_02 33:50

I want to thank you so much for joining the conversation this week. And look out for bonus episodes for the month of May, where we're going to be sharing an inside look on all of the exciting changes with the opening of the Palmetto Bluff Club Fitness Center. Until next week, remember to actively participate in life on your terms.