Detours

“How did you do that?” That’s the response I love getting when I show a business owner what their menu could look like. Sometimes, seeing the possibilities is what gets the conversation started. I’m Angie Norris, and this is Side Hustle GPS. Today, we’re stopping in Main Street to explore Menu Updates. Have you ever picked up a menu that was hard to read? Small print. Confusing sections. Old information. A layout that makes finding what you want feel like work. You might see an opportunity to help. But approach it with care. That business owner has put time and effort into what they do. You want them to feel excited about the possibilities. Here’s something I’ve done. I took a screenshot of a menu, brought it into my favorite AI tool, and explored three different design directions. The results looked awesome. I printed the concepts on cardstock, dropped them off at the business, and left my information. I got a call quickly. And the question was, “How did you do that?” Showing someone a concrete example can help them understand what you offer much faster than describing it. They can picture their own business using it. Your service could include updating prices, organizing sections, improving readability, or helping descriptions communicate more clearly. Maybe they need a separate specials menu or a version that’s easier to read on a phone. Start by finding out what they want to improve. You don’t have to teach every step of your process during that first conversation. Explain what you can deliver, answer their questions honestly, and help them choose a direction. AI can help you explore layouts and draft wording. Then you need the business owner’s knowledge. They confirm the items, prices, ingredients, services, and what’s actually available. If you include food photography, use images that accurately represent what customers will receive. A beautiful menu still needs to give people the right information. And menus go beyond restaurants. Salons, spas, and other service businesses need clear ways to show what they offer. What’s included in a service? How long does it take? What does it cost? Making those answers easier to find can make the customer experience smoother. Small changes make a big difference. A clearer heading. More readable type. A description that answers a common question. Tiny changes compound when customers use that menu every day. Your first money move? Choose one type of business and create a sample menu refresh. Use a fictional business or ask permission to work with a real menu. Show two or three directions so the owner can see the possibilities. Then offer a defined package: an agreed number of pages, revisions, and finished file formats. Make printing a separate cost unless it’s included in your quote, and get approval on the final details before production. You could also offer ongoing updates for seasonal specials, new services, or price changes. So, what local business could you help show its offerings more clearly? Explore Menu Updates in Main Street at SideHustleGPS.com. Small changes make a big difference. Help someone see what’s possible—and give their customers an easier way to choose.