12-30-15 Bagels and feelings of gratitude to start the New Year

There is a connection between bagels and feelings of gratitude.

I did a story for Whidbey Local about John Auburn, the new owner of (the newly named) Whidbey Island Bagel Factory that was published on Monday, December 28. Whidbey Local mentioned the story on its Facebook page, and when I last checked, there were nearly 200 likes. It’s a great feeling to have a story attract that much attention.

I also have to add that the traditional Christmas breakfast we have in our family consists of Whidbey bagels, lox and cream cheese. My two granddaughters, who are coming for their monthly visit this weekend to grandma and grandpa on Whidbey Island (they live in Bellevue) always begin their visit with a stop at the Bagel Factory.

As I was thinking about my last Blog of the year, I thought about the tradition in our culture of making New Year’s resolutions. I have decided that I much prefer acknowledging feelings of gratitude for what I already have rather than reviewing what I don’t have, or haven’t been able to accomplish, and promising I’ll do better next year.

So, as we approach 2016, I encourage everyone to notice what you have already, or what you are already doing, and appreciate yourself and your life.

And, enjoy a great Whidbey bagel.

12-24-15 Have yourselves a Merry Little Christmas

And, I hope you bought many of your gifts locally. Living on Whidbey, we are blessed with an amazing variety of goods and services available to us.  These wonderful businesses need our support all year long.

12-17-15 What’s special or unique about your business?

It’s likely that whatever business you are in, there are others selling the same or similar products and services.  Even if you feel you are offering something very different from what others sell, the same question needs to be answered in order to successfully promote yourself: You have to be able to describe what is unique or special about your business.

What makes you unique may be the product itself, or it can be the kind of special attention you give to each of your customers.  It can be the way you stand behind what you’re selling. 

If you have been reading the business stories I write for the Business Spotlight in Whidbey Local you will notice that I do my best to describe what is special or unique about each business.

If you’re not sure how to describe these special qualities, ask your friends and current customers.  If people are satisfied with what you’re selling, they can also give you their reasons….and these can become part of your message to attract more customers.

12-10-15 Buy your presents locally instead of buying them on the Internet from large corporations

Rich and I recently visited the towns of Anacortes and Coupeville.  I probably wander around Langley at least once a week.  What I notice just walking around these charming small towns is the absence of big corporate names.  Instead there is a variety of locally-owned shops.

During the holidays, ,most of us are scrambling to get presents for the people in our lives.  It’s tempting to just go to the Internet for the solutions.  One of my daughters suggested a present for her husband (I’m his secret Santa), and sent me the link so I could just order the item on line.  I have high hopes of finding what he will want at one of our local stores.  In fact, when I asked the Star Store in Langley if they might have what I’m looking for, they volunteered to check with their suppliers to see if they can find something that will work.

I know we are all busy and just clicking a button on our computer is an easy way to deal with holiday shopping.  But, our local businesses need our support.

Actually, it’s more fun to walk around a local business community and visit the shop owners and look for appropriate gifts.  There has also been a lot written about how much healthier it is to get up from our computers and walk around frequently.

So, go visit our local communities to shop, and you’ll not only be supporting local merchants, you’ll be gifting yourself with a healthy walk.

12-3-15 Collaboration is a great way for non-profits to help each other

If you are a regular reader of this Blog, you know that one of my major themes is the power of collaboration.  I have never known a collaborative effort between businesses that didn’t benefit all of the businesses involved.

The same is true for non-profits.  We know that Whidbey is overflowing with non-profits doing an array of great work for our community.

Those of you who know me also know that one of the hats I wear that gives me great pleasure and satisfaction is serving on the Board of the Whidbey Children’s Theater (WCT). 

When WCT moved their offices and performance facility to the Langley Middle School Auditorium, that was the beginning of a great collaboration between the South Whidbey School District and WCT. 

With money for theater projects no longer available in our public school system, WCT is providing many classes that fill this void.

Recently, two more additions have been added to collaborations between WCT and other organizations.  Beginning next summer, WCT will be working with Island Shakespeare Festival to bring the Classic Conservatory for Young Adults (CCYA) to WCT (check out the details on a Blog for the Whidbey Children’s Theater

Also on the horizon, WCT is working closely with the South Whidbey High School Drama Club and the high school personnel to help produce a February play, the first show developed in the high school for the high school stage since 2009.

Just as with businesses, I am confident these collaborations will benefit WCT and the organizations with whom they are partnering.