7-26-18 The number of unique businesses on Whidbey

I love walking around our two iconic towns on South and Central Whidbey: Langley and Coupeville. What I enjoy most is that each of the businesses in the towns is unique.

When I have off-island friends who come for a visit, I usually take them to one or both of the towns for  a walking tour. You don't have to enter every store to get the feeling of how special every business is. 

When I go off-island, or for that matter when I drive up to the City of Oak Harbor (except for the old town area), most businesses are now in shopping malls, and whichever shopping center you visit, you will see many (or in some cases, most) of the same businesses. It has become increasingly difficult to find individual, unique businesses.

But, for Langley and Coupeville, that's not true. Not only is each storefront business unique, but it's common to walk in and meet the owner of the business. Chatting with a business owner is often a special experience too!

7-19-18 A creative collaboration: Double Bluff Brewing and The Big W Food Truck in Langley

The value of collaborations is one of my major themes. It is definitely an effective marketing tool for each of the businesses that collaborate.

In their second year of collaboration, the Big W food truck operated by Joe Wierzbowski, and Double Bluff Brewery, owned by Daniel Thomis of Double are helping to promote each other.

When you place your food order at The Big W Truck, there is a sign posted next to the menu inviting you to take your order to Double Bluff Brewery, buy a beer and enjoy your lunch in the lovely patio.

You can read about this collaboration in the Business Spotlight on Whidbey Local: https://www.whidbeylocal.com/article/view/2025

7-10-18 What to do when your computer goes dead

Actually, I haven't got an answer to the problem listed above.

My computer died last week.  Wow, talk about a shock to your system.  How much of my life is in this flat pad and the clouds somewhere?

Anyway, I got a new computer, and I have survived.  I am still learning new ways and still recovering some old information.

But, I want to assure anyone else who ever has this problem: You will survive!

7-12-18 A creative collaboration: The Big W Food Truck and Double Bluff Brewing in Langley

Recently I asked if you had visited Langley lately and noticed all of the new businesses.

I forgot to mention one that is just in Langley for the summer months: The Big W Food Truck.

What is especially blog-worthy besides the creativity of the food truck operated by Joe Wierzbowski , is that he and Daniel Thomis of Double Bluff Brewery, just around the corner from the Big W Truck, have formed a collaboration to promote each other.

When you place your food order at The Big W Truck, there is a sign posted next to the menu inviting you to take your order to Double Bluff Brewery, buy a beer and enjoy your lunch in the lovely patio.

The value of collaborations is one of my major themes. It is definitely an effective marketing tool for each of the businesses that collaborate.

Read the article on Whidbey Local

7-5-18 The joy of a small-town 4th of July parade and our small-town life style

One of the elements that makes South Whidbey Island a special place to do business is our small-town atmosphere. I’d always lived in big cities (Los Angeles, Seattle, Bellevue) before I moved to Whidbey Island (Greenbank and then Freeland).

This small-town feeling applies to many other aspects of living here, but it also makes this a special place to have a business. It’s important to do your part to have a business that connects with people in the community and contributes to our style of life. You can feel that connection when you walk into a retail business or simply work with someone who has a service they provide.

And, you could feel that sense of our small-town community at the annual Maxwelton 4^th of July Parade. All of the “floats” are homemade using trucks, trailers, tractors, bicycles and whatever else people can use.  This year’s parade took over an hour from beginning to end, and the streets were lined with hundreds (maybe more than that) of adults and children, locals and visitors, all having fun.

Rich and I had the special privilege to ride on a float created by Helen Price Johnson’s husband, Dave, that promoted many of the local Democratic candidates.

Helen sent me a note that really touched me about the meaning of this holiday and this kind of parade and living in our community:

“If you're like me, I get fatigued by the daily news reports of outrageous behavior. But being against the craziness isn't enough. To be effective, we must focus on our positive message of public service, accountability, due process, environmental protection and human rights. Tell people what you stand for. Ask candidates what they stand for. Speak up for what you believe in, not just what we reject.”