Plugged In and Switched On: Making Digital Technology the Core of E-Commerce
There’s no such thing as a purely physical business anymore. Digital technology has rewired the retail landscape, turning every successful e-commerce company into a tech-driven operation at its core. But where many stumble is in treating digital integration as a patchwork of tools rather than a living framework. The trick isn’t to bolt on new platforms every quarter—it’s to embed technology so thoroughly into the DNA of the business that everything hums in sync. Customer Experience Starts Before the
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The Outdoor Adventure Series: Meet the Sequim Chamber
What fun to join Howard Fox on his podcast, the Outdoor Adventure Series, to talk about all things Sequim and the Dungeness Valley! From the workings of the Chamber of Commerce and our work on community projects to the beauty of the Olympic Discovery Trail that can take a person through the heart of our town and our farmland, Executive Director Beth Pratt had a great time talking about what she loves about calling the North Coast home. You can listen to the podcast HERE or find it on your favorite
The Herd Chamber & Member News - June 2025
It is my pleasure to share with you The Herd June 2025Chamber & Member NewsThis month, you will find that your Chamber has some fun events and promotions going on this summer, from Sequim Night at the Lefties to Shop Sequim for Summer 2025, including coupons to not only retail and restaurants but for services we all could use, like HVAC installation!Take a peek inside and see what your fellow members have to share and reach out to congratulate some new hires and new promotions this month - our friends at
The Real Reasons Small Business Owners Must Understand Their Finances
Running a small business often feels like spinning plates on a windy day—strategy, customer service, marketing, and operations all demand full attention. But one plate too often wobbles dangerously: financial literacy. It’s not glamorous, and it rarely trends on social media, yet it remains the backbone of sustained business health. When owners sidestep the numbers, they don’t just risk inefficiency—they gamble the entire enterprise. More Than Bookkeeping: The Power in Knowing Your NumbersFinancial
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The Herd Chamber & Member News - May 2025
Good afternoon, It is my pleasure to share with youThe Herd Chamber & Member News May 2025It is Duck Derby season, and again your Chamber of Commerce is Sequim's Duck Central - want to support the Hospital Foundation and your Chamber? You can get your entries to the Great Olympic Peninsula Duck Derby from any of our staff or board members! Of course, you can also stop by our offices for a picture with the giant duck, too!
Why Your Branding Feels Off and What to Do About It
You can have the best product on the block and still struggle to get attention if your marketing design works against you. It’s not that small business owners don’t care about how things look—they care a lot. But that passion sometimes clouds judgment, leading to visual choices that confuse more than they connect. The result? A brand that feels just a little “off,” even if everything else is done right. Thinking a Logo Is the Whole Brand It’s natural to obsess over a logo. It’s the face of the business,
Keeping Customers Happy While Handling Late Payments
Late payments can create frustration, but addressing them with a clear approach keeps relationships intact. Setting clear payment terms from the start helps prevent confusion. Friendly yet firm reminders encourage prompt action without damaging goodwill. Offering flexible payment options can make it easier for clients to stay on track. Direct communication often resolves issues before they become bigger problems.Use Follow-Up Meetings for Effective Payment Resolutions When dealing with late customer
The Doctor Will See You Now—And Actually Listen: Rethinking the Patient Experience to Fuel Business Growth
In an era where people can order dinner, book a flight, and even get a mortgage with a few taps on their phone, walking into a medical office can feel like stepping into a time warp. The front desk is swamped, the waiting room is packed, and the paperwork—oh, the paperwork—feels endless. But here’s the thing: patients today expect more. They don’t just want treatment; they want an experience that’s seamless, personal, and pleasant. If you run a medical office, fine-tuning the patient experience isn’t just
The CTA, BOI and FinCEN: What Should Sequim, WA Businesses Do Now?
The Corporate Transparency Act may require certain U.S. companies to disclose beneficial ownership information to FinCEN to combat financial crimes. While a Texas federal district court’s preliminary injunction puts this requirement on hold, many experts expect that to be overturned. In that event, failure to file could lead to fines of $500 per day, up to a maximum of $10,000, and possible criminal penalties. However, filing your Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report will help you avoid fines
The Herd December 2024 - Chamber & Member News
Dear Members, We are so grateful for what you have done to support the work of your Chamber of Commerce in 2024, and hope that you enjoyed the events and opportunities we have been able to share with you. For those of you who were able to come and enjoy our Hometown Holidays events on November 30th, thank you for coming! Santa, the Irrigation Festival Royalty, and both Cub and Boy Scout troops were with us around the tree all day as we enjoyed music from the Sequim City Band, their Brass Quintet, Juan
The Herd November 2024 - Chamber & Member News
Dear Members, October ended with the joyful fun of Downtown Trick-or-Treat here in Sequim, and what an amazing event that has become! Thank you to all who came out to help, hand out candy, or just enjoy the afternoon with us all. And why not start November with gratitude? We have a day to honor our Veteran’s, and a day just for giving thanks this month. And, who can forget, Shop Small Saturday, when we thank our local merchants, who contribute in so many ways to our community? For me, I thank you, our
The Herd October 2024 - Member & Chamber News
Dear Members, We are looking forward to seeing many of you this month, and we have a lot of opportunities to do so! We are kicking off the new season of the Breakfast Network with 1st Security Bank and Rainshadow Cafe on the 8th, and on the same evening hosting the 16th Annual Business Showcase - it is going to be a great day to connect! We are also looking forward to the open house and ribbon cutting with Peninsula Behavioral Health on the 16th, our luncheon on the 22nd, and Downtown Trick or Treat on
Unleashing Innovation: Growth Tactics for Small to Mid-Sized Businesses
In an ever-evolving business landscape, the key to not just surviving but thriving lies in the power of innovation. For small to mid-sized business owners, the idea of implementing innovative strategies might seem overwhelming at first glance. However, the possibilities for growth and success are boundless with the right mindset and tools. Here are just a few of the dynamic approaches that can propel your business forward, ensuring you remain a step ahead in a fiercely competitive market.Crafting
The Herd September 2024- Chamber and Member News
Dear Members, It is my pleasure to greet fall with you all, and to announce that registration is OPEN for our 16th Annual Business Showcase on October 8! Click anywhere on Page 2 to join in as a sponsor or a vendor. This year, our theme is Growing Sequim Strong. What that means to me, as your Chamber director, is that we celebrate all that makes us strong, and builds our strength, as a community. For the Chamber, it is you, our members, that make us strong: your investment in our programs and events,
The Herd - Chamber & Member News August 2024
Dear Members, The Festival Weekend was a huge success, congratulations to all who participated in the events that took place all over the Dungeness Valley. We opened a pop-up information tent downtown this year and saw more than 250 people in just over two days in just that location, with nearly 700 visitors asking us for maps and directions in total. In August, the Tour de Lavender kicks off the month, and Ride the Hurricane is August 3rd. (Note - the Hurricane Ridge Road will be closed during that
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The Herd - Chamber and Member News July 2024
Dear Members, July is for lavender in the Dungeness Valley, and, now, thanks to our three County Commissioners, July is for lavender across Clallam County! See their official declaration on page 17. On June 25th, the new Type B Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance in the Agricultural Zones was passed by our Commissioners, too. This new set of rules, while not perfect, are a great start to crafting smart regulations for our region’s economy. This edition of The Herd is full of events and news - I am sure
