His palms were sweaty.

His heart was pounding.

And in his trembling hands: a cheesy sign, a budget bouquet of flowers, and a 12-pack of Dr. Pepper.

My 14-year-old son Ben was about to do the scariest thing a high school freshman can imagine:

He was about to ask a girl to homecoming.

Apparently, it's called a "homecoming proposal" now...

Which makes it sound like he was about to pop the question and open up a joint checking account...

But if you've ever seen a teenage boy try to impress a girl, you know that this was serious business.

Ben and my wife, Christy, spent the weekend prepping.

Poster board. Markers. Flowers.

And her favorite drink: Dr. Pepper.

The sign read, “There may be 23 flavors of Dr. Pepper, but you’re the only one I want for HOCO."

He was nervous. But he was ready.

When the time came, Ben walked up to her in the hallway before school, gave her the flowers, and held out the sign.

She smiled, blushed, and gave him a big hug as she said, "Yes!"

It was adorable.

Now, why am I telling you this?

Because Ben's "offer" wasn't complicated.

It was clear, personal, and made to the right person in a way that made her feel seen.

In business, we don't always do that.

We make offers that are too generic, too soon, too pushy, too vague...

Or just aimed at the wrong person altogether.

And then we wonder why the answer is no.

Next week, I'm opening the doors to a new workshop that will help you fix your offer.

That way, you get more people to say yes to what you're offering because you nailed the timing, message, and delivery.

But, for now, I just wanted to share this little win from Ben.

Proof that even a nervous kid with a shaky sign and dollar store flowers can get a yes...

...when the offer is made the right way.

Talk soon,

~ Cody "Homecoming Chaperone" Burch

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