Today marks the 29th Annual Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's – a yearly tradition 
since 1979, when Ben and Jerry held a customer and staff appreciation event to celebrate their store's one-year anniversary.
Ben & Jerry's will give out free scoops from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. today, April 17th, at participating locations nationwide.
Here's a hugely successful venture that is going on 30 years. We'd all like to be as successful as Ben and Jerry's, right? But notice what they did before they were big and famous: They honored their employees, and honored their customers. There probably weren't all that many of either after one year in business, but that's not the point here. The point is that they created a tradition which lives on today. Now, they get free press and a lot of attention because of this small (and relatively inexpensive) act of kindness (and pretty savvy marketing!)
So, the real question is, what could your young business venture do to creatively thank your customers for your years in business? How can you say "thanks"? If you aren't doing something, then prepare to get "licked" when it comes to business longevity... 
