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It’s a rainy morning—FINALLY!
(I live in drought plagued California)

While skimming through my emails I found one from Ann Handley, the author of Everybody Writes.

I subscribed to Ann’s site because I want to be a better writer, but also because she’s a guide to the good stuff on the Internet 😉

Think of the Internet as a giant forest and Ann as the seasoned guide who knows which berries you can eat and where to find water and shelter.

This morning she served up a feast of yummy berries!

Directing her readers to Distance, the monthly online magazine produced by a project management company called Basecamp, she introduced us to a special spot in the forest.
A place that offers “quirky” uplifting stories featuring quality writing about something you’d think would BORING—but instead is fascinating.  The stories are about companies that have been in business at least a quarter of a century.

No startup hero stories here.
Just regular people with less than sexy businesses delivering the good stuff to their customers over the long haul.

My Dad and Grandpa were plumbers and ran the Laundromat in our little hometown.
So when I saw a story about a Laundromat I couldn’t resist.
It didn’t disappoint!!!

I wanted to share it with my WordPress friends because I know you care about good storytelling.
Basecamp has been publishing Distance for about a year so you can choose from 11 great offerings, so far!
I subscribed via email so I won’t miss new stories.

Why is Basecamp publishing stories that aren’t about their own business?
Good question.
They’re doing it because they believe it’s harder to stay in business than to start a business and they want to shine a light on how people have managed to do it.

It made me think about my Dry Cleaners, the Shoe Repair Shop, and the Knit Shop that all thrive in a little old outdated strip mall.  Are they getting rich?  No, I don’t think so, but they are there when I need them.

Without realizing it we all depend on these small business owners.
I get tired of the chain restaurants and long for a Mrs. Simon to open a little breakfast/lunch spot where I can take my grandkids.
*Mrs. Simon had a little cafe next to my Aunt & Uncle’s Shop Rite Market when I was a kid.  It’s where my Dad took me for breakfast after we cleaned & opened the Laundromat on Saturday mornings 😉

You can read about The World’s Largest Laundromat here:

https://thedistance.com/worlds-largest-laundromat/

Here’s where Ann Handley writes about good writing:

http://www.annhandley.com/2015/03/11/basecamp-barking-long-tree-distance/

 

Is there a business you depend on, but have taken for granted?
Next time you stop in share your appreciation and let them know they’ve helped make your life a little easier.
Tell a friend about them or mention it to your Facebook friends because sharing is nice 😉