This post is probably 10 years in the making. I know we have been open 20 years but really, we didn’t have a chance of pulling this off in our first decade. It has taken a second decade for us to actually figure things out. The Shoe Hive, The Hive, and Yellow Jacket are finally launching a formal, points-based loyalty program.

So why a loyalty program now? Well, we have always tried to be good to those who are good to us, which is you, all of our Stylebook readers. But we have never been sophisticated enough to pull it off, and compatible software with our point of sale didn’t exist until now. Not to bore you with the details, but finding a point of sale, merchant services, web store, data management company along with marketing software that can all work together is no small feat, in and of itself. Then adding in a loyalty program on top of it all kind of made for a difficult puzzle.

Well, we think we solved the puzzle, and we ask you to be patient with us as we navigate the new system and make sure the pieces all integrate. But we really wanted a way to do something for all the people who keep our doors open. Every week, it seems, I hear about another clothing line or another small store that is closing its doors, and I know we are fortunate to still be open for business. We wanted to give back to the people who helped us keep our doors open through the choppy waters of the last four years. There are also so many new customers finding us these days, and we want to give them a reason to keep coming back to us.

Here is how it works: the rewards meter starts clicking with your first purchase once you sign up. Every time you shop, each dollar you spend will earn you points. The cumulative dollar spend gets you to the different levels, and the accumulated points get you the gift card rewards.

There are 4 different levels: Bumble, Blossom, Nectar, Honey. The more you shop, the greater level and the rewards.

The first level is Bumble, you are this level at sign up and will receive a birthday coupon for 30 percent off a one-time purchase during your birthday month. You also will receive one point per dollar spent.

Next up is Blossom. This level earns you a birthday coupon, one point per dollar spent, and then free shipping on online orders.

The third level is Nectar, and this is where we sweeten the deal. You receive 1.5 points for each dollar spent, get a birthday coupon, earn free shipping, plus early access to sales and events.

The top level of this loyalty ladder is Honey. Befitting the highest level, you get the same rewards as Nectar but you get to shop Black Friday a week early both online and in store. You also can book a two hour, in-store styling session with local stylist Ali Hellmuth or Alicia McCaslin. You can earn one styling session in a 12-month period.

Look for other promotions to earn points. We will have double-point days and maybe even triple points. Sometimes it might be all three stores, sometimes it might be a certain item or shopping online. I can see our first snow day being a big one!

This is our small way of saying thank you. We know there are lots of places for you to shop and we appreciate every time you decide to support our little stores.

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