SCN Explore in Business 2022

Job market

The area continues to bounce back from a recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the virus, the Snohomish County unemployment rate had been steadily sliding down to a low of 3.8% in February 2020. Then the jobless rate spiked to 16.3% in April 2020 as the global economy locked down during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was down to 3.4% in August below the pre-pandemic mark.

Washington’s unemployment rate was 3.7% in August which was unchanged since July. The August rate was a record low in the series that dates to . The unemployment rate is down significantly from the 16.8% rate reached in April 2020 which was an all-time high.

Retail sales

Statewide, the Washington Economic and Revenue Forecast Council estimates the state could see a $43 million increase in tax revenue through the remainder of 2021-23 budget cycle.

“Revenue collections remain robust, but personal income has softened,” said Steve Lerch, forecast council executive director.

“Although the economy continues to grow, the pace is much slower than we’ve seen recently, said David Schumacher, director of the ffice of Financial Management.

Meanwhile, Stanwood local retail sales generally increased across the board however, it hasn’t all equated to an equal increase in profits for businesses, largely because costs of materials, supplies and personnel has jumped, too.

Housing

Inventory is bouncing back from extreme lows during the COVID-19 pandemic, but not quite to “healthy” levels, according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

However, home prices in Stanwood and Camano Island zip codes increased to record levels, according to data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Though the national housing scene is cooling, the local home market is still very warm. Read more the local housing market on Page 10.

reasons to choose local shops over e-commerce giants

Massive online retailers like Amazon have become a top choice for many shoppers because of their low prices and speedy deliveries. However, there are important advantages to supporting local businesses when you shop online. Here are three reasons to champion the merchants in your area when you want to buy something on the internet.

Shorter delivery routes

When you buy products from an international e-commerce company, your package may need to travel thousands of miles to reach you. This emits significantly more greenhouse gases than if you select items from stores that are closer to home.

BONUS

How to make buying local a part of your daily life

Choose items made in the area. Whenever possible, select artisanal food, clothing, furnishings and other products made by local craftspeople. You should also look for goods made with ingredients or materials sourced from nearby regions.

Visit stores owned by locals. Rather than shop at large retail chains, opt to buy what you need at stores owned by people who live in your community. You can also check out local farmers markets, U-pick farms and agritourism operations.

Keep an eye out for labels. It’s increasingly common for food and other products that are made regionally to have an identifying label. If you want to ensure you make the right choice, don’t hesitate to ask a sales clerk for more information.

Better use of resources

Small, local businesses typically make it a high priority to use renewable energy sources and eco-friendly materials when designing their products. In many cases, this means the item will be made better and last longer.

Personalized services

Even if you shop from their online store, you can still speak with the local merchants you buy from over the phone or via a live chat platform. This gives you access to personalized advice and recommendations about your purchase that you likely won’t get from an e-commerce giant. Additionally, you’ll have the option to visit their store and see the products in person before you make a selection.

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TheLawOf ceofCole&Gilday,P.C.haditsgenesisastheLawOf ceofHoward Graham,establishedin1934.CharlesColejoinedthe rmin1962,andwasjoined byhisson,BobCole,in1981.GregGildayjoinedthe rmin2005,following inthefootstepsofhisgrandfather(Charles)andhisUncleBob.The rmhas providedfulllegalservicesforthousandsofclients,andBobandGreghavebeen votedStanwood-Camano’sbestattorneytwelvetimes.Theof ceisageneral practicewithemphasisinEstatePlanning,Probate,RealEstate,Homeowners Associations,BusinessandContractLaw.BobandGregareassistedby VickiSisco,TeriWilson,KateeGrinaandBob’swife,Susan.

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WRITERS: Evan Caldwell, ecaldwell@scnews.com; Izzie Lund, ilund@scnews.com Mary Jennings newsroom@scnews.com

DESIGN: Evan Caldwell ADVERTISING: Derek Smith, 360-629-2155

2022 Explore: Local Business, Copyright 2021; Published Oct. 5, 2021. supplement of Stanwood Camano News and Skagit Publishing; SCnews.com

7208 267TH ST. NW STE A-100, Stanwood, WA 98282; 360-629-2155

Camano chiropractor makes the big leagues

The Seattle Mariners are having one their best baseball seasons in over two decades, and Curt Rindal of Camano Island is right in the middle of all the action.

Rindal, 39, who is originally from Conway, became the team

chiropractor earlier this year and is pumped about the experience.

“I grew up going to the games, so to be working on the team and seeing guys like Edgar, Ichiro and Dan Wilson still walking around the ballpark is unreal,” he said.

Rindal loves baseball and not

Mary Jennings For the Stanwood Camano News

The Rindal Family lives on Camano Island.

Conway native named team chiropractor for Seattle Mariners

only played as a youngster and in college but also had a stint in the minor leagues on teams in Montana and West Virginia.

“It’s everything you think of when playing minor league baseball,” he said. “Long bus rides, very little pay, but you get paid to play and always still have that belief you can make it to the big leagues.”

Rindal has wonderful memories of his days in the minors.

“We played in some great stadiums that were packed and often had fans asking for autographs,” he said. “I played against many players who are now superstars in the big leagues.”

After baseball ended, Rindal began his career as a chiropractor.

“I come from a family of chiropractors, including my dad, uncle, brothers and cousin,” he said. “I wanted to pursue a career where could use my background in sports to help individuals live a healthier life.”

For Rindal, a sports-related chiropractic practice checked all those boxes.

After eight years of working with student-athletes at the University of Washington, he opened Rindal Sports Chiropractic in Northgate in 2017.

“I work on athletes from a variety of professional sports,” he said. “I tend to see a lot of overuse injuries, acute injuries and general spinal complaints.”

Rindal, who is well-known in his field, got an amazing side gig offer this past spring.

“The athletic trainer worked with at UW took a job with the Mariners last year,” Rindal said. “He called me at the end of April this year to ask if could come on as team chiropractor.”

Rindal said that agreeing to take the job was a no-brainer.

“This is pretty much my dream to be able to be involved with professional baseball and doing the work that love,” he said.

As a child, Rindal spent part of his summers at a beach cabin on Camano Island.

He realized another part of his dream when he and his wife, Tracy

and their daughter Tessa, 6, and son Camden, 4, moved to the island two years ago.

“As a kid, always enjoyed my time on Camano crabbing, beach combing, watching the sunsets and unwinding,” he said. “When we decided to move back up here from Seattle, we were looking to create that lifestyle

permanently.”

Rindal could not be happier with the way things have turned out.

“I sometimes have to pinch myself,” he said. “Not do only do get do work that is fulfi lling and meaningful but get to come home to a place that has been special to me since can remember”

Thankyouforhelpinguscelebrateour42ndyear

Finding a healthier place

When Erin McKee started her private therapy practice earlier this year, it was the accumulation of decades of experience in studying trauma.

McKee, a psychologist, has a doctorate in clinical psychology and a master’s in cultural anthropology. She is also a Navy veteran and a meditation

Izzie Lund Stanwood Camano News

instructor. Her work has taken her all over the world from a group home to Navy ships to local clinics.

“I was already studying trauma without realizing it,” McKee said. “We are all traumatized in small and big ways, over and over again, because human existence is traumatic.”

McKee is a trauma expert who specializes in areas like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Buddhist trauma-healing and the role that relationships and attachments can play in trauma development.

McKee’s career began when she studied psychology in college. Since all the programs at the time were research-based and she didn’t want

to do research, she worked in a group home in human services. She then went back and earned a master’s in anthropology, intending to teach anthropology as a professor, but realized she wanted to work with kids.

“I realized wanted to be someone who talks to kids, so then went back and got my doctorate in psychology,” McKee said. “I decided to do my adult practicum, and worked at a vet center.”

She ended up being the only psychologist for a ship filled with more than 5,000 sailors and marines, and then ended up enlisting herself. McKee served in Afghanistan for five years.

“It was very hard, and toward the end of my service, lost perspective. found myself overidentifying with my patients’ misery,” McKee said. “I felt like had some trauma-related symptoms, being pretty hypervigilant which is this idea that you’re looking for threats everywhere.”

After her time in the Navy, McKee worked for The Everett Clinic in Arlington, then became a certified meditation instructor. Now, she’s building

her own practice.

“I wanted to be somebody who was my own master,” she said. “Compassion for myself and no longer being beholden to anybody else and taking care of myself and feel like am a much better therapist because of it.”

In her practice, McKee explores trauma in-depth, starting with childhood and working her way toward the present day. She also offers meditation coaching.

“There are plenty of therapists who are kind of solution-focused and it’s not that I’m not solution-focused, but will talk to you about your childhood, the culture of which you grew up,” McKee said. “I am teaching my patients mindfulness. don’t make them do meditation, but teach them what we call informal mindfulness: observing things with loving curiosity.”

She is passionate about providing a deep, intensive and engaging process with each client she sees in her practice.

“Even though (therapy) will involve discomfort, it will also involve a lot of love and compassion and laughing,” McKee said. “Dynamic psychotherapy is a conversation and see myself as a spotter: kind of like a guide through your trauma or the things you’ve experienced to a healthier place.”

McKeecanbefoundonPsychology Todayatwww.psychologytoday.com/us/ therapists/erin-mckee-psyd-pllc-camano-island-wa/967530. Her services are remoteonly.

Erin McKee

How buying local affects the economy

As a consumer, have you wondered how your choices affect the local economy Here are a few things that can happen when a small or medium-sized business in your neighborhood doubles its sales due to strong local support.

Expand services. The more money a small business makes, the more likely it’ll expand its product and service offerings and delve into new markets. or instance, your favourite local brand may set its sights on opening a new location in a nearby town.

Improve the job market. When small businesses grow, they require more employees. A prospering local business can help create jobs in your area.

Uplift other local businesses. Small businesses often look to local suppliers to support their growth and help each other prosper.

Increase social involvement. Local businesses are active in charitable causes. or example, thriving small businesses often give back to their communities by donating to local organizations.

e p t ene ts Small businesses that make more money also pay more taxes. This means that more money is going back into your local government to help with infrastructure and social initiatives.

How buying local can help your business

You often hear about the advantages of buying local from a consumer’s perspective, but what about from a business perspective Here are four ways your business could benefit from buying local.

o isti ene ts

It takes a lot of time and resources to ensure your supply chain runs smoothly. The longer the chain, the greater the risk of encountering obstacles like sudden shortages, volatile exchange rates and miscommunications. uying local gives you more control and flexibility over your supply chain, saving you money.

2. Networking opportunities

Opening your doors to companies in your area creates exciting business opportunities. Buying local means contributing to the economic vitality of your region and being appreciated by your community.

3. Environmental advantages

Buying local is one of the keys to reducing your company’s carbon footprint. Today, products often travel thousands of miles when alternatives exist nearby. Therefore, your decision will be an inspiration to many.

4. Improve your brand image

Many consumers prioritize companies that take concrete steps to uplift their community and protect the environment. Many large businesses proudly publicize their local purchasing policies. Therefore, why not take advantage of this powerful marketing tool?

Home sales still hot

Demand remains high in the Stanwood-Camano area

As inventory plummeted and then built back during the past few years, home prices in the Stanwood-Camano area continued a steady upward march.

However, the number of homes sold each month has remained relatively steady, indicating consistent pressure on the local housing market.

“The resilience is clear as a steady cadence of homes going under contract continues,” J. Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate, said in a recent NW Multiple Listing Service statement. “In the more affordable and mid-price ranges, demand remains strong as buyers look to get settled before fall.”

There were 156 homes for sale in September in the Stanwood-Camano area, the most since October 2019, according to the Northwest MLS.

The median price of the 60 homes sold in September was in the mid-$600,000s, about $200,000 more than in 2019.

Stanwood

Windermere Chief Economist Matthew Gardner said he believes the data show the region is “trending back to the more normalized conditions that we were seeing before the pandemic.”

Gardner said he expects prices will soften a bit.

“Home sales increased month-over-month, but the rise in listings is causing prices to soften,” he said. “I predict prices will drop further as we move into the fall, but reports that we are entering a “bear market’ are highly exaggerated. The market is simply reverting to its long-term average as it moves away from the artificial conditions caused by the pandemic.”

While housing inventory is about double it was a year prior in Snohomish, King and Pierce counties, it’s still lower than in mid-2019.

“I expect we will see even more inventory as we move out of the summer and into fall,” said Jason Wall, designated broker and owner at Lake & Company Real Estate and a member of the Northwest MLS board of directors. “Sellers will need to be more realistic about pricing and follow the advice of their broker regarding preparation of the home and positioning in the market. Buyers will have more inventory to look at and the longer market times may give buyers some leverage that they have not had in the past few years.”

Meanwhile, Northwest MLS director Frank Leach said in July that builders are constructing new homes “at a monumental rate.”

In the Stanwood area, several housing projects are underway and in the pipeline, mostly in the Cedarhome neighborhood.

Inventory rebounds

Business tips for everyone

s st in i it i e s or sm sinesses

Offer remote positions Allowing your employees to work from home means fewer cars on the road, resulting in less carbon dioxide being emitted into the air. If your employees must work in person, give them an incentive to ride their bikes, walk or take public transportation.

o i it If possible, make your business paperless. For instance, cloud-computing software, like Google Apps, allows employees to share and access information anywhere. This access helps reduce waste and you don’t have to spend money on paper and related items like printers, copiers, ink cartridges and filing cabinets.

o siness it reen sinesses Whenever possible, source goods and services that are sustainably produced and supplied. For example, work towards simplifying your supply chain by working with local, like-minded companies. Carbon-neutral vendors exist across every industry you just have to look.

o o em r e tern ti e p ment met o s

The world is becoming increasingly digital, and so is payment processing. Here’s what you should know about alternative payment methods A Ms for small businesses.

oost e ien n s es

With APMs, customers don’t have to input all their information for each purchase. This simplifies the checkout process and may result in more sales.

n re se stomer on en e ffering A Ms ensures your customers can pay in ways that are convenient for them. This will help them feel at ease and demonstrate your commitment to providing exceptional service.

e on e penses APMs don’t incur large transaction fees like credit cards. Therefore, you’ll save money when customers use them to make their purchases.

How to retain your best employees

During a labor shortage, recruiting agencies often solicit qualified workers and present them with enticing job offers. If your employees aren’t satisfied with their job, they may be tempted to see if the grass is greener on the other side. Here are a few things you can do to retain your most talented workers...

Determine levels of satisfaction and listen to suggestions

If you don’t talk to your employees, you won’t know how they feel. Consequently, it’s important to schedule oneto-one meetings with each member of your workforce to learn more about what makes them happy and what frustrates them. Listen intently to what they have to say. Small changes can help ensure that employees remain in their roles.

Adjust working conditions and hours to suit employee needs

Today, employers must be flexible. During the pandemic, many companies operated remotely. Consequently, if your most talented employees prefer telecommuting, but you insist they need to be in the office, they may decide to work elsewhere. Moreover, if they have young children, consider adjusting their hours to better align with daycare schedules.

Offer promotions, new responsibilities and training opportunities

High-performing employees who don’t feel challenged will eventually get bored. If you can give them a promotion or modify their tasks to increase their level of motivation, don’t hesitate to do so. You may also want to enrol them in a training program that aligns with their talents and interests. Additionally, be sure to praise employees for their contributions. Recognition for hard work or a job well done is a must.

How to make your mark when you start a new job

If you recently landed a new job, congratulations! Now, you’ll need to show your employer why they made the right choice. Here’s how to make a good impression.

PREPARE A GAME PLAN

Talk to your boss or immediate supervisor to determine how quickly you should be advancing in the first few weeks. This will prevent you from being blindsided and demonstrate your willingness to learn. Moreover, periodically keep your superiors updated on your progress.

CONVERSE WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES

Take advantage of opportunities to talk with other employees. This will help you get to know them. Whether it’s during lunch, on break or in the hallway, short conversations can build relationships and help you understand the company’s unwritten rules.

BE A TEAM PLAYER

Show your colleagues that you’re useful and want to be an integral part of the team by offering to help whenever possible. Moreover, familiarize yourself with the current work and communication methods and accept invitations to corporate events.