I've been thinking a lot lately about why women love certain brands and loathe others.  I've asked several women what attributes or characteristics they look for in brands...or perhaps, what they find is true about the brands they are loyal to.  

The early favorites were quality and value.  Trust came up--sometimes in the form of integrity, reputation or even responsibility.  Simplicity made the list.  As did consistency and its cousin reliability.  One of my favorites was happiness.  "It makes me happy to see it or use it," said one woman.  I also loved my friend who talked about how the product makes her feel inside...smart, confident.

I fell in love with a brand all over again this past weekend because it went out of its way to solve a problem for me--one I hadn't been asking for help with in a very long time.  The brand was Publix.  And the help came from a pharmacist who went out of her way to help me with a prescription issue on a Saturday evening.  She listened to my situation and immediately set out to solve it.  She didn't sigh or show any signs of frustration about having to break from the normal routine.  She didn't make me feel bad for asking for help.  She simply saw my need and filled it...along with the much-needed Rx.  

And here's the best part...for Publix anyway.  I had already been to my regular pharmacy and been told there was nothing they could do.  It was five minutes before closing and they were not interested in helping.  So guess what?  The next Rx I have to fill, where do you think I'll go?  That's right.  To the place that offered me something few brands do anymore--a solution and a smile that is genuine.

What about you?  What makes you a brand fan?