DEAR HARRIETTE: Today at my bakery, I received a delightful surprise: a box of freshly picked wildflowers left on the doorstep with a card that read, “For the sweetest baker in town.” This unexpected gesture filled my day with warmth and gratitude, prompting me to reflect on the importance of small acts of kindness. I recently opened my business, and this is my first startup. As a fellow business owner or manager, how do you cultivate a culture of appreciation and connection with your customers? What strategies can I employ to create memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression? -- Baking Connections

DEAR BAKING CONNECTIONS: Pay attention to your customers -- each one of them. Even when you are busy, take a moment to greet them. Make eye contact. Say a kind word. Get to know them. Say thank you. Make a log that indicates who likes what and what their patterns are in purchasing, plus their general engagement with you. Terrie Williams, a celebrity publicist, wrote a book that I swear by, “The Personal Touch.” In it, she shares many ways that you can connect meaningfully to people by taking an extra moment to do something that personally acknowledges the other person. Everyone wants to be seen, heard and appreciated. If you can do that, you will grow a deeply committed clientele.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I read the letter from “Desperate for Help,” and I felt so much empathy for her and her son, I had to write. Our son also struggled academically in elementary school; he was eventually diagnosed with dyslexia. While I thought your advice regarding finding academic help and diagnostic services for her son was thorough and helpful, I would focus on her son’s emotional needs as well.

Additionally, Mom can help him by bolstering his self-esteem and helping him understand that his delay is temporary and can be overcome. We did this by constantly reminding our son of the ways he had already shown how bright and talented he was and the many gifts and talents he had; for example, he was a master at Lego, a good fisherman and a great soccer player, and he loved all kinds of animals. We also reminded him that he worked hard to get good at those things, and he could learn to read and write with hard work, too. We taught him about famous people who were dyslexic, like Albert Einstein, Steven Spielberg and Cher. When he became frustrated or angry about the extra tutoring or tutoring “homework” he had to make time for, we commiserated with him and reminded him how it would change his life in the future. It wasn’t always easy, but in a couple of years, he did catch up, and now he is a successful environmental engineer and husband.

My son’s dyslexia tutor shared these words of wisdom I have never forgotten: “Having a learning disability is hard enough, but the fear that they just aren’t smart enough, the hopelessness and embarrassment they feel, and the frustration when they try and fail, those are the hurdles that are the most difficult to clear.” -- One More Thing

DEAR ONE MORE THING: Thank you for your insights. I, too, know a boy who is dyslexic who was excellent at Lego. His mom was and is his cheerleader, just as you described. He is in college now, more confident than ever. The emotional side does need tending!

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions toaskharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a mother of two teenage daughters, ages 14 and 16, and their constant fighting is driving me insane. It seems like every day there's a new argument, whether it's about sharing clothes, using the bathroom or even the smallest things, such as who gets to sit in the front seat of the car. I've tried talking to them individually, having family meetings and setting up rules and schedules to minimize conflicts, but nothing seems to work. The tension in our home is palpable, and I worry that these constant arguments are damaging their relationship beyond repair. I’m hoping this is just a phase and one day they can work through their issues. I want them to grow up to be close sisters who support each other, but right now, that feels like an impossible dream. How can I help my daughters stop fighting and create a more peaceful and loving relationship between them? -- Teen Wars

DEAR TEEN WARS: Do you have two relatives or friends who might be able to take your girls -- separately -- for a few weeks this summer? Or can you enroll them in two different summer programs? They need time away from each other where they can discover themselves independently. Even better, if they grow to miss each other, that may spark kindness when they return.

Find out, too, if you can enroll them in different schools. Being separated should serve as a balm as they grow up, at least for a certain period of time.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been in a relationship with a wonderful man for the past three years, and we are now talking about marriage. However, there is an issue that I am struggling with: He belongs to a religion that requires me to convert if we are to marry. I love him deeply and can see us spending the rest of our lives together, but I am not comfortable with the idea of converting to his religion. My faith and beliefs are important to me, and the thought of changing them for marriage feels wrong. He understands my reservations but says that his family and religious community would not accept our marriage if I didn't convert. We have discussed this at length, and while he is empathetic, he feels a strong obligation to his faith and family. His parents are very traditional and have made it clear that they expect his future wife to share their religious beliefs. I feel torn between my love for him and my own beliefs. Is it possible to find a compromise that respects both of our faiths? -- Conversion

DEAR CONVERSION: It is true that some religions require a spouse to convert to the faith in order to be accepted into the family. Sometimes people break from that tradition, but it often means that the family disassociates from the couple. This will work only if your husband-to-be is willing to cut that tie. So far, he is not. You can tell him about couples who have enjoyed their lives without making that choice; there are many. However, you must make the agreement together and be willing to suffer the consequences. If your guy can’t do that, it’s time for you to go.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a 26-year-old woman from Cincinnati. I started a new job a few months ago, and I’ve developed a crush on one of my co-workers. He’s kind and funny, and we get along really well. I look forward to seeing him at work, and I think there might be a spark between us. However, I’m hesitant to make a move because I’m worried about the potential consequences. What if I ask him out and he says no? Or worse, what if we go out and things don’t work out? I don’t want to create an awkward atmosphere at work or jeopardize the professional relationship we’ve built. I’ve considered just enjoying the friendship and not risking it, but I also don’t want to miss out on what could be a great relationship. Should I take the risk and ask him out, or is it better to keep things professional and see if he makes a move? -- Hot for Him

DEAR HOT FOR HIM: Slow down. A lot is new right now. Refocus on your job. Pay attention to your tasks and the goals of your role. What you want to do first is to make a great impression on your boss and the team. Demonstrate that you are excellent at what you have been tasked to do and that you are willing to go above and beyond to support the work at hand.

You can continue to build a friendship with the man in question, but don’t pressure yourself or him to take it further. After you settle into your job, pay attention to how the friendship is growing. You don’t necessarily have to wait for him to ask you out, but do wait to make sure you are in good standing at work before seeking out romance.

DEAR HARRIETTE: Last week, I overheard my teenage nieces talking badly about their grandparents' upcoming 50th wedding anniversary celebration. They were making fun of the plans and saying how boring it was going to be. Their grandparents, my parents, have always been so loving and supportive, and this milestone is incredibly special to our family. Hearing them speak so disrespectfully about something that means so much to the rest of us was really upsetting. I know teenagers can be dismissive at times, but their comments felt particularly hurtful given the significance of the event. I’m struggling with how to address this without causing a family rift. Should I talk to my nieces directly about how their words made me feel, or should I bring it up with their parents first? I want them to understand the importance of this celebration and to show more respect, but I also don’t want to create unnecessary drama. -- Show Some Respect

DEAR SHOW SOME RESPECT: This could be the perfect time for you to speak directly to your nieces. Let them know you overheard their conversation and that it disturbed you. While you understand that teenagers would rather do things with their peers, you hope they will take their grandparents’ anniversary seriously and do something special for them to show their love. Remind them that without their grandparents, they wouldn’t be here. Those two represent family legacy, and honoring them in this meaningful way will make them happy. If the teens choose to mock their grandparents or attend begrudgingly, that will hurt their feelings. Ask them to show up with a loving attitude.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)