1-2-20 Beginning of new year

Hi Everyone,

I took a little break at the end of December, but I am beginning my marketing Blogs again with the new year.

I will probably share a lot of the same ideas I have shared before about simple marketing ideas and tools, and positive attitudes to build a business.

I'd like to invite you to ask me marketing questions or share some ideas or observations about what you have noticed that helps a business to grow.

I want to repeat one of my regular themes: It takes a lot of courage and work to create a business.  I have great respect for every business owner. 

When I write the stories for the Business Spotlight in Whidbey Local I base the stories on three questions: 1) How did you come to be on Whidbey? 2) How/why did you create your business? and 3) What special or unique about what you offer?

I think in a small community like Whidbey, it also takes a larger measure of creativity: What is special or unique about your business and/or the way you do business?

12-12-19 Reminder for Holiday Shopping

SHOP LOCAL!!!

12-5-19 Some Langley business people just don't want to retire

Recently, I have done stories about In the Country and Moonraker Books on the Business Spotlight.

Both of these stores are unique in many ways, but the most amazing way for me is the age of the owners and the length of time they have had their businesses.

Cynthia Tilkin is only 80 years of age and her women's clothing store has been a fixture in Langley for a little over 30 years.

Josh Hauser, owner of Moonraker Books is now 84 and has been the owner of her bookstore (for many years in partnership with her husband) for 47 years.

What is the common theme for these two women is that they love what they do, and retirement never seems to cross their minds.

11-21-19 Music on Whidbey Island

It's hard to know how much the many music venues on Whidbey contribute to the businesses where they perform.

In the 15 years since I moved to the Island, I have seen a growing number of places where you can go to hear a variety of music, most often performed by local musicians.

I just discovered a website that will help you see where you can go to hear music on the island: https://whidbeyisland.us/live-music-venues-on-whidbey-island/

The site lists the major venues (although I feel like there are more, especially in the summer), our local orchestras, music festivals, what's happening at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA), and the major music festivals.

If you feel like we are surrounded by music on Whidbey, it's because we are.

(Note: Just learned that WICA has a new email address: info@wicaonline.org)

11-14-19 Hugging is the norm on Whidbey

I was in the Bay Area of California for a few days. And, every few weeks I go to Bellevue to visit with kids and grandkids. Each time I travel off the island I have to watch myself: hugging family and close friends is OK, but may not be the norm in many places I visit.

A typical day on Whidbey usually includes numerous hugs. And, not just with people I know well. Usually, I meet someone I know in the grocery store (whichever one I visit), when I walk around Freeland or Langley, or simply taking a walk. I am always surprised at how often I meet someone who gives me a hug, wherever I go on the island.

The reason I mention hugs in a marketing blog is that when I visit the merchants on South Whidbey, I know many of them, and a visit to their stores usually includes hugs. I am sure other small towns create this same experience, but, it’s not the norm in most big cities and suburbs.

Anyway, part of what makes Whidbey such a sweet, lovely place to shop for me (and I would guess for most of us) is to walk into a store and not only get greeted warmly, but to have the business owner walk out and give me a welcoming hug.