Your thoughtful notes and messages after my last (very vulnerable) Notes from Neen responding to what it’s really like to be an author truly lifted my spirits. Thank you. Your encouragement, kindness, and celebrations mean more than you know. I read every single response and cherish them, you might never know how much that meant to me.
So, let me be heart-first and honest: from the beginning of this crazy journey, I’ve always said I wasn’t chasing bestseller lists—it’s too heart-breaking, and too much out of my control!
But your support for this one last joyful, all-in push this past week has meant everything. It’s insane but we don’t know until we try right?
Collectively, you’ve helped me to make every copy of Exceptional Experiences: Five Luxury Levers to Elevate Every Aspect of Your Business count. (And if you haven’t grabbed your copy—this week, this month is still so important. No matter where you order, your favorite indie shop on Bookshop.org (we all know how much I adore independent bookstores!), Amazon, or in bulk for your team, every order truly matters to me. You can access all the international links here too. And, yes, Audio and Digital versions all count! )
The Value of Community
All of this activity has helped me reflect on the nature of community. Celebrating each other, making time, attending events, reposting and resharing, all these wonderful things are not always convenient for us—I totally get that!
I was reading an interesting article on Daze Digital this week (hat tip to my bestie Michael for sharing on his IG stories) titled, “Is Inconvenience the Cost of Community?”—it’s worth a read.
It shares the phrase “inconvenience is the cost of community” and “loneliness is the price you pay for a life of convenience” and “everyone wants a village, no one wants to be a villager.”
While these are all over social media, this quote struck me: “Modern life is fast, fragmented, and highly individualized. Community provides the grounding force of being seen, known, and supported through both joys and struggles”
Thank you for being part of my community, listening to the struggles, and celebrating the joys!
Thanks To My Mum
Before I go any further, the most important thank you.
This book is dedicated to my mum (yes that’s how we spell it in Australia), whose wisdom and kindness are the foundation for everything I believe about creating exceptional experiences.
Here’s a sneak peek to the dedication as it appears in the book (she doesn’t know yet, she hasn’t seen the book, so I can’t wait to show her when I am home in Australia in November):
“To my beautiful mum, you showed me that even in the toughest times, everyone deserves luxury. Thank you for role-modeling that luxury isn’t about money, it’s how we make others feel. Because of you, I know everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and valued. You taught me that thoughtfulness is an everyday choice and true generosity comes from the heart. Your wisdom and kindness are the foundation of everything I believe about creating exceptional experiences. I love you.”
Thank you to those who ordered multiple copies for their team
A huge, heart-felt THANK YOU to the outstanding organizations and friends who have invested in their teams with bulk orders, creating those beloved red-carpet moments: Comcast Experience Group, Sheltair, Fairmont Canada, Thomas Financial Services, Johnson Kendall Johnson, ALHI, Ete Reman, Uniglobe, Happy Adventures, High Point University, Jetset Travel, US Travel Insurance Association, Experience Scottsdale, Fundraise Up, EPIC, Ritz Amelia Island…and the brilliant friends Brittany Hodak, Joey Coleman, Alison Levine, and Chris Ducker.
Experience Elevation Model
If you want to know why this model matters, listen to Tim Mapes Chief Communication Officer at Delta Air Lines said in his beautiful testimonial:
“Exceptional Experiences offers a fresh, fun take on how luxury brands can stand out from the pack and connect meaningfully with customers. Neen’s energy and wit come alive through her storytelling—it’s like hearing from a dear friend.”
Or listen to my friend Jesse Cole (owner of Savannah Bananas) who said:
“People don’t remember transactions—they remember how you made them feel. Neen nails the formula for crafting experiences that excite, delight, and ignite real loyalty. This is a must-read for anyone who want to create fans for life” … he should know, he’s created the MOST exceptional experience that has changed the entertainment of Baseball forever—if you aren’t following him—just Google Savannah Bananas!
Curious about the heart of Exceptional Experiences?
Check out page 46, you’ll find the contextual model at the center of the book, so you can apply the systems of elevation that have been proven in both luxury and legacy brands.
Examples in the book include media, manufacturing, medical, insurance, hospital, and of course, luxury hotels, champagne maisons, tour companies, retail, insurance, and so much more.
Because luxury isn’t about a price tag—it’s how we make people feel.
Luxury isn’t about money, it’s about moments.
There are five luxury levers—Entice, Invite, Excite, Delight, Ignite—that you can systemize into every customer journey, in any industry.
When you lean into these levers, you move from a transactional relationship to legendary loyalty and lasting memories that feels transformational.
The entire playbook is yours in the book! Seriously, it is filled with strategies every business or leader can apply.