the hill we climg

Washington state is known for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities, and diverse cultures. However, during the holiday season, it becomes a place where magic truly comes alive. From dazzling light displays to magical winter wonderlands, Washington state offers a plethora of enchanting experiences that fill the hearts of both locals and visitors with joy and wonder. One of the most enchanting holiday experiences in Washington state can be found at Leavenworth. This Bavarian-themed village transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season, with its charming streets adorned with festive lights and decorations. The annual Christmas Lighting Festival is a highlight, where thousands of lights illuminate the village, and the air is filled with the sounds of carolers and festive music.

I’ve been studying Simon Sinek and Seth Godin recently. Godin introduced me to the remarkable, counter-intuitive idea that instead of conquering the largest market share, you should look for the smallest viable segment. It raised a question: could we find customers that believed what we believed, treated people like we treated people, and dreamed of the same kind, compassionate world that we dreamed of?

It raised a question could we find customers that believed what we believed, treated people like we treated people, and dreamed of the same kind, compassionate world that we dreamed of. The 588th was the most highly decorated female unit in that force, flying 30,000 missions over the course of four years and dropping, in total, 23,000 tons of bombs on invading German armies.

The annual Christmas Lighting Festival is a highlight, where thousands of lights illuminate the village, and the air is filled with the sounds of carolers and festive music. The sight of snow-covered mountain peaks and the smell of freshly baked goods from the local bakeries add to the magical ambiance of this picturesque town. Another magical holiday experience in Washington state is the Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival.

Our Mission

COVID 19 has challenged me in a way that I have never been challenged before.

In March, we lost 60% of our revenue overnight and we had to start making tough decisions. Not just how to continue to provide meaningful work to our staff while protecting our clients. But also, as a company,

who did we want to become?

As entrepreneurs, we start off with these assumptions about American business. The things that every consultant has ever told me. You must expand. To expand, you have to appeal to everyone and don’t make waves. 80% is an acceptable success rate if you want to get big: that’s why large corporations have complaint departments, after all. Reduce costs and maximize profits, even if it hurts people. Fight for the largest market share. Compete, compete, compete.

And if we built our business on these principals, no one would fault us for it—it’s just business, right?

Early on as we had been expanding aggressively, we kept being asked to compromise our morals along the way. “If you paid your staff less, you could compete on price.” “A 1% margin of error is too low, if you want to expand. It’s okay to make mistakes a lot of the time, just have someone to field the complaints.” “Why spend so much time and money fighting for your people? You should be fighting for market share.”

We were fighting to be the biggest, but we kept struggling with the hard truth that if you wanted to be the biggest you had to give up being the best.

I’ve been studying Simon Sinek and Seth Godin recently. Godin introduced me to the remarkable, counter-intuitive idea that instead of conquering the largest market share, you should look for the smallest viable segment. It raised a question: could we find customers that believed what we believed, treated people like we treated people, and dreamed of the same kind, compassionate world that we dreamed of?

So we started rocking the boat. We went public with our goal of getting all of our employees to a living wage or above by 2022. We went public with out goal not to lay anyone off during the pandemic, and I actually eliminated my own salary to ensure the safety and stability of my staff. We actively pursued candidates who were being mistreated at other jobs due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status and made ourselves a sanctuary for them. We allowed our staff to attend Black Lives Matter rallies during work hours and in uniform. We upped our use of personal protective equipment and disposable supplies to protect our customers, without raising their rates. We told ourselves, and our staff, and our community that our mission is

“to prove that you don’t have to be an evil corporation to be a successful company.”

And for the first time in the history of the company, I have gone a full calendar month without getting push-back on price. People will say, “that’s outside of our budget, but I understand what you’re doing and why it costs what it does.” For the first time in the history of our company, a client told me “we chose your company because of your ethics.”

And we’ve come back like a hurricane. In April, we lost over half our customers. In July, we almost doubled our sales compared to last year. And it goes to prove that doing the right thing really does pay off.

And here we are, in the middle of the apocalypse, with hope. For our business, for our community, and for our future.

COVID 19 has challenged me in a way that I have never been challenged before.

These festive cruises take place on the waters of Puget Sound and Lake Union, with a beautifully decorated ship serving as the centerpiece. As the ship sails along, it is accompanied by a choir singing holiday tunes, spreading holiday cheer to those who gather along the waterfront. Washington state is also home to numerous winter light displays that bring the magic of the holidays to life. The Garden d'Lights in Bellevue, for example, showcases stunning botanical gardens transformed into a twinkling wonderland. Over half a million lights adorn the trees, plants, and pathways, creating a captivating and whimsical display for visitors to enjoy. One can also experience the magic of the holidays by visiting the Pike Place Market in Seattle. During the holiday season, the market is transformed into a festive hub, with brightly decorated stalls selling handmade crafts, ornaments, and holiday treats. The famous fishmongers even get into the holiday spirit by donning Santa hats and throwing fish with extra enthusiasm. Lastly, Washington state offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor winter fun. From skiing and snowboarding at ski resorts such as Crystal Mountain and Stevens Pass to ice skating at the outdoor ice rinks found in cities like Spokane and Tacoma, there is no shortage of activities to enjoy with loved ones during the holiday season. In conclusion, Washington state truly comes alive with holiday magic. Whether it's strolling through a Bavarian village adorned with lights, cruising along the waters with a choir singing festive tunes, or exploring enchanting light displays, the state offers an abundance of magical experiences that are sure to create lasting holiday memories..

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the hill we climg