5 Takeaways From Jesse Cole’s Wildly Successful “Fans First” Playbook
If you haven’t heard of the Savannah Bananas, you’re missing more than just a baseball team—you’re missing a masterclass in customer experience. Jesse Cole, the team’s bright-yellow-suit-wearing founder, turned a struggling ballpark into a sold-out entertainment brand by putting one thing first: the fan.
So, what does a quirky baseball team in Georgia have to do with IT support or your business in the Greater New Orleans area?
Everything.
At BridgeNet, we believe in creating raving fans too—because when you go beyond transactions and build real relationships, the business takes care of itself.
Here’s how you can apply the Savannah Bananas mindset to your own company:
1. Eliminate Friction
Jesse Cole says, “Walk in your customer’s shoes.” Whether it's buying a ticket or calling tech support, the smoother the journey, the happier the client.
👉 For local businesses: Look at your onboarding process. Is it fast? Clear? Frustration-free? At BridgeNet, we constantly audit our support systems to make sure clients aren’t stuck in voicemail limbo or waiting days for answers.
2. Entertain Always
Even serious businesses can stand out by creating memorable moments. Cole’s rule? Make people smile—even during the boring parts.
👉 For service providers: Think about the entire client journey—from the first meeting to regular check-ins. A warm greeting, a handwritten note, or a follow-up call to check on satisfaction goes further than you think.
3. Experiment Boldly
The Bananas threw out traditional playbooks—literally—and created an experience people couldn’t stop talking about. Not every idea worked, but the ones that did changed the game.
👉 For business owners: Don’t be afraid to try something new. Whether it’s a new tool, a different service model, or even how you communicate with clients—small tweaks can lead to big wins. (Ask us about how we rethought our help desk model to boost response times!)
4. Engage Deeply
Cole says, “Do for one what you wish you could do for many.” That means meaningful, personal touches—like sending a client a note on their birthday, or checking in just to say thanks.
👉 For BridgeNet, that means never letting support feel robotic. Our team knows our clients by name, not just by ticket number.
5. Empower Action
"Stop standing still. Start standing up," says Cole. Empower your team to act like owners—and empower your customers to feel heard, valued, and supported.
👉 We do this by hiring people who genuinely love helping others—and giving them the tools, trust, and training to do it right.
The Takeaway
The Savannah Bananas aren’t just winning games—they’re winning hearts. And the same principles that make fans line up for baseball tickets can help Gulf Coast businesses earn loyal, enthusiastic customers.
At BridgeNet, we’re not just fixing computers—we’re building relationships. We believe IT should feel as good as it works.
Want to see how that plays out in real life? Let’s chat.
