Anyway, that is not the point of this post. The point relates to something the magazine publisher and a couple of the presenters mentioned. With what we are reading and seeing in the news these days it seems pretty bleak out there, business wise. Every day companies are laying off staff, engaged in Ponzi schemes, companies that are receiving our tax dollars doling out bonuses to their executives, and the list goes on. What we are not reading about are the good people, primarily small businesses going about their workday. They are still working to satisfy their clients, being good community stewards and ethically practicing their line of work. There are many of us out here, only a few of which were recognized last week. There are countless others that should be recognized but probably never will be. It’s just the way it is.
Recently I read about a couple of large corporations and their CEO’s (sorry, you know them but I cannot remember their names) that chose not to focus entirely on profits for their shareholders. They instead elected to continue their focus on the customer, their products and their services. Since choosing this path, these companies have continued to perform well and are actually profitable in this economy.
How admirable – focusing on the customer, product and service – maybe this is what Countrywide, WaMu, AIG and others should have been doing rather than prioritizing their wallets and the wallets of the shareholder. Also, have we forgotten Enron and the debacle of the Savings and Loan crisis of the 80’s? I have to say, it really bothers me when history repeats itself – is anyone paying attention?
Back to the banquet. There were kind words for the nominated companies doing business in Skagit County and how we all work together in this region. In addition to understanding our paths and how we got there that evening, it was expressed how many of us engage in our community, participating on boards, providing goods and services to non-profits and many other good deeds. I think you will find a common thread amongst all of the nominees – we all want our community to succeed both economically and socially.
So now, to share in our nomination: I asked Don Wick, Director of the Economic Development Association of Skagit County (EDASC) to introduce myself and BrandQuery to the crowd. To do so, Don wore the most colorful shoes I think I have ever laid eyes on! He said he did so as we are a creative company and that was how he would convey it. Don is a long time friend and client, thank you Don for doing such an eloquent job!
Our two tables consisted of family, friends and long-time clients Nancy and Kendall Gentry. My award winning speech went something like this:
I want to thank my Mother and Father for teaching me a strong work ethic and the importance of building relationships. They also taught me that a balanced life is important. Value family and friends and know that work is not the be all and end all, but when you work, do your best.
Thank you to my longtime mentor, Joann Ossewarde, who has provided her knowledge, experience and great advice to me since I was in college.
And of course, there would be no business if there were not great clients. I value the opportunities provided to us and the trust instilled in us to do good work for you. Some of our clients are here this evening: Nancy and Kendall Gentry, CPI Plumbing and Heating, and Employee Benefits Planning.
Thank you to our vendors for your working relationships and the products you provide.
Thank you to the team here at BrandQuery: Designer Derek Bryson, Designer Matt Fisher, Project Manager Andrew Fenstermaker and Office Manager Hilary Friedrich. These folks come to work every day with professionalism, experience, creativity, patience, humor, and good nature. The office is a fun place to be because of them.
As the evening ended, we found that we didn’t win Best Small Business of the Year in Skagit County. The next day we went back to work, doing what we do and trying to do it very well.
By the way, congratulations to our fellow nominees, Axthelm Construction, Truckvault and the evening’s Best Small Business award recipient, Skagit Valley Gardens.