By Melanie Schmitt
“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” -Babe Ruth
Most people wouldn’t question Babe Ruth’s wisdom on the topic of baseball, but I believe this notion can be applied to business as well. As I and the staff prepare to send this paper off to the printer—the issue that marks the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business’ 10th anniversary in business—I can’t help but get a little philosophical.
Over the years — during good months and bad — it was always the combined hard work and perseverance of my staff that made it all possible. The sales team couldn’t sell a fraction of a page without the great, breaking business news provided by the reporters. And vice versa: The editorial staff wouldn’t have a page to put their content on if it wasn’t for the determination of the salespeople. I’d like to take this moment to thank each individual star on my team for working together on a high-quality product that I am confident really makes a difference in our community. I am even more proud of it than I was 10 years ago.
But I don’t think the team analogy stops within the walls of our office. Even with their unwavering determination and professionalism, my staff couldn’t have made it to this great benchmark without the community at large. From the smallest business owners who brave hanging their shingles to try to capitalize on an exciting niche market to the engineering and tech firms that employ large numbers and help put the Tri-Cities on the map, the TCAJoB couldn’t thrive without you. In fact, I like to think we’re all working together.
The local business arena is far more connected than it used to be. There is a sense of collaboration that didn’t always exist, with the various entities working together on recruitment and promotion. Even more businesses are joining forces on cross-marketing and promotional efforts. I am excited about the TCAJoB’s growing role in spreading awareness about new and established businesses—and ultimately increasing the communication and interaction within the community.
Ten years ago, if you had told the 25-year-old me that we would double our circulation and more than double our readership in a decade, I’m not sure I would have believed you. Back then, all I could focus on was the mad scramble to get our first issue to the printer on time—with as few typos possible. Our small staff had pages spread out down the hallway of 8919 W. Grandridge, the same office in Kennewick we inhabit today, and I was down on my hands and knees proofing pages.
But it’s true. Each month, the Journal is mailed every non-home-based business in the area — and that number has doubled in the past decade. In addition to our print edition, each issue of the TCAJoB is available on our website, tricitiesbusinessnews.com, which has experienced continual growth in viewers.
It hasn’t always been easy. As many of you know, being a small, independent business is not easy. I’ve rooted for plenty of businesses over the years, only to see them struggle and close. People sometimes ask me what advice I’d give a business owner, and I think it’s the same advice as anywhere else: Thoroughly research before you start, because the failure rate for new businesses is daunting; be willing to learn and adapt along the way; and hire a good bookkeeper and accountant. You can start with the best business plan, but until you get out in the market, you won’t really know what you’re facing. And on the latter point, some business owners have a hard time relinquishing control of their finances, but is that really how you should be spending your time? The truth is, your time probably would be better spent in meetings with clients or potential customers. In the long run, paying a professional will likely save you money in the end.
There is one other characteristic I’ve noticed in successful business owners I’ve known over the years—optimism. Top-dog entrepreneurs tend to see things with a “glass half-full” perspective. Have you noticed that, too? I know so many inspiring business people in the Tri-Cities who are positive and optimistic about our market and I think it is a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy. As a result, we have a positive, healthy market.
I guess it’s not too surprising that celebrating our 10-year anniversary has also made me a bit nostalgic. So, in each issue this year, we will be highlighting a business that appeared in our first issue. We hope you’ll enjoy learning about some other companies that have been in business 10 years or more. We begin this special feature this month, with a profile on Richland-based U.S. Linen (see page 39).
For those readers who know me personally, you know I’m a bit of a sports fan, from taking my staff to Dust Devils games to treating my sons to an Americans game. I also know plenty of you readers, when you aren’t working, are sports fans—so the Babe Ruth quote seemed appropriate. But I’d like to leave you with a quote from somebody a little closer to my heart: my Dad. It’s something I try to live by every day and I find it helps during good and bad times. “Whatever you do, do your best, work your hardest and have fun along the way.”
From my business to yours, here’s to a fun, happy and profitable 2012—and many more years!
by Mary Hopkin
Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business
