by Kara | Nov 17, 2022 | Gifts, Small Business
As many of us who have stopped into a grocery store or turned on the radio lately may have noticed — the holiday season has begun. And although it might seem like it creeps up on us a little bit quicker each year, it’s never too early to start planning.
Let your friends and family know you’re thinking of them with our holiday gift guide. We’ve featured some great local businesses!
DIY Kits and Classes at The Works
Know someone on your list who can’t get enough of arts and crafts?
Located in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood, The Works is a woman-owned and woman-operated business. You can find in-person classes and DIY kits for everything from cooking to gardening to creative crafts. Grab a gift card, purchase a DIY kit or sign up you and your loved one for a future class together.
Washington State Discover Pass
Whether you’re buying a gift for an avid outdoorsman or a friend who enjoys simply reading in the park, they’ll greatly appreciate a Washington State Discover Pass as a present this holiday season.
One pass gives the holder and up to two vehicles unlimited access to millions of state-managed lands across Washington State for a year. This includes more than 100 state parks, 350 campgrounds, nearly 700 water access points like lakes and rivers, and more than 30 wildlife areas. Learn more about the pass here.
Washington Mountain Glasses and Gifts From North Drinkware
Although North Drinkware operates out of Portland, Oregon, the folks there rep the Pacific Northwest all the way up the coast.
They meticulously design each piece of glassware using U.S. Geological Survey data to accurately represent majestic landmarks, including Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens. They also offer blankets, coasters, cards and other unique gifts.
Take and Bake Decadent Desserts From Hot Cakes
If you’re like us, you have at least a few people on your list who’d appreciate some chocolaty goodness (including yourself). Luckily, we have just the recommendation for you.
Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery in Ballard and Capitol Hill also offers take-and-bake kits to make its decadent desserts in the comfort of your own home.
Seattleness: A Cultural Atlas
Check out local specialties — from sasquatch discoveries and UFO sightings to music history, mountaintop data and local landmark trivia!
This visually rich cultural atlas of Seattle by Tera Hatfield is the perfect book for anyone who calls or has called the Emerald City home. Order it from Seattle publisher Sasquatch Books or your favorite local bookseller.
Book-It Rep Theatre Tickets
Sometimes an experience is the best gift of all, especially when it combines two things we love: books and theater!
The Book-It Repertory Theatre, located in the Seattle Center, has been putting on literature-based plays for over 30 years. Spread the love of local performance art with tickets to an upcoming show or a full season subscription.
KEXP Membership
Do you have a passionate music lover in your life? We’re lucky enough to live in the same area as one of the best nonprofit community-run radio stations out there, KEXP 90.3.
This holiday season, gift a monthly donation in your loved one’s name. While you’re at it, be sure to check out KEXP’s gathering space — including a coffee shop, worktables and couches, and a record store — across from the Space Needle.
Candle From Cancelled Plans
Over the past few years, some of us have really leaned into the self-care, cozy stay-home vibes. And there’s nothing wrong with that!
Cancelled Plans celebrates the joy that comes with unexpectedly having a little less to do. With clever names like “It’s Freezing Outside,” “90’s Baby,” “It’s Fine I’m Fine” and “Student Loans,” these locally made luxury candles don’t just smell incredible — they’re also extremely relatable.
Need more ideas? Check out our holiday gift guides from 2021 and 2020 on our blog.
Celebrate the Season With Pepper’s Personal Assistants
This season should be all about spending time with your loved ones, not stressing over an endless to-do list!
Pepper’s Personal Assistants wants to give you your own time back. And that means you can tackle your personal goals and make lasting memories.
We can help if you need assistance during the holidays, whether that involves picking up online orders, ordering cards, doing grocery shopping for dinner parties or dropping off gifts at the post office.
[Related: How a Personal Assistant Can Help This Holiday Season]
We provide long-term support to busy executive households who are ready to outsource. As a result, our clients have more time and headspace to focus on their families, their careers and the things they truly love.
Check out our service packages today, and treat yourself this holiday season. Contact us with any questions!
Featured image via Pexels
by Kara | Nov 1, 2021 | Gifts, Small Business
The holidays are fast approaching, and there’s nothing worse than scrambling to find the perfect, thoughtful gift for everyone on your list at the last minute. Don’t worry—Pepper’s is here to help with our annual local Seattle holiday gift guide.
Check out some of these awesome gift ideas from local Seattle-area businesses and get your shopping done early this year!
Custom Macarons from Macadons
These macarons from Macadons are not just delicious, they’re also customizable! Personalize these tasty treats by sending the folk at Macadons your unique image, logo, design, or message and choosing from their many handcrafted flavors for a perfect holiday gift. Pick them up at their White Center location or have them delivered up to 18 miles from the store.
Gifts for the Book Lover from Magus Books
Support one of the University District’s oldest independent bookstores this holiday season and visit Magus Books. With over 70,000 books in-store, try and stay focused because you might just get lost in the stacks! For the reader in your life, pick up a gift certificate to the store or check out some of their cool merch, including tote bags, hats, and mugs.
[Related: Where to Shop Local for Your Thanksgiving Meal]
Vinyl, CDs, and Merch from Sonic Boom
If there’s one thing Seattle knows—it’s music. Sonic Boom Records in Ballard has been around since the peak of the grunge era, and has been a great source for new and used vinyl, CDs, and cassettes ever since. They also sell gift certificates, shirts and hoodies on their website if you’re not quite sure what type of music your giftee is into.
Aromatherapy Candles from Thea Candle Company
Once the days get colder, darker, and busier, taking a moment to light a candle and relax becomes a gift in itself. Local candlemaker Thea Candle Company knows the importance of comfort and stress-release, and it’s evident in their handcrafted aromatherapy candles. Thea Candle Co. also uses natural oils and eco-friendly wax so you can feel good about what you’re buying. Fall scents include Morning Coffee, Fresh Baked Apple Pie and Rosemary Eucalyptus. Stay tuned for their winter release!
[Related: Pepper’s Personal Assistants’ Seattle Local Holiday Gift Guide 2020]
Stress-Relieving Sweat Session at City Sweats Infrared Sauna Studio and Spa
Sometimes the best gift is not one that you can hold, but one you experience. If you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift for someone who seems to never slow down, why not give a gift certificate to City Sweats? This infrared sauna, studio, and spa has locations in West Seattle, Madison, Wallingford, and Bellevue, and offers a variety of stress-relieving, luxurious spa services.
Gorgeous Minimalist Jewelry from Baleen
You can’t go wrong with local jewelry-maker Baleen’s delicate, minimalist jewelry. Their focus on quality work, affordability, as well as sustainability make it a no-brainer for holiday shopping. From layering rings and chains to unique geometric earrings, Baleen has something for everyone on your list. Their website even has a “Most Gifted” section so you can see what’s popular, and maybe pick something out for yourself as well.
Photo Sesh With a Four-Legged Friend from Dirty Dog Photography
Photos are memories that can last a lifetime, and Dirtie Dog Photography knows that our time with our animals should be cherished. Book the animal lover on your list a session with Marika Moffitt that will honor their story. Sessions can take place anywhere in the Greater Seattle Area, and photos can also be turned into a beautiful photo book.
Beer Gift Box From Tavour
Although Tavour is based in Seattle, they now source and distribute independent craft beer from all across the country. Choose from their numerous beer gift box options or scoop up a gift card. You could also treat your special someone to a beer box subscription! Cheers!
Give Yourself the Gift of Time with Pepper’s Personal Assistants
We hope you’ve found some great ideas in our local Seattle holiday gift guide.
Remember, the greatest gift you can give yourself is time. Time for self-care, time to spend with your family and friends, or time to tackle those personal goals. This is all possible with Pepper’s Personal Assistants.
[Related: Our Advice for Getting Started With Your Personal Assistant]
We provide long-term support to busy executive households who are ready to outsource. This allows clients more time and headspace to focus on their family, career, and the things they truly love.
Check out our service packages today, and treat yourself this holiday season. Contact us with any questions!
by Kara | Apr 19, 2021 | Gifts, Small Business
Pepper’s Personal Assistants is excited to deliver great content that will help you celebrate the moms in your life, or even inspire some ideas on how to treat yourself. The Pacific Northwest is chock-full of amazing, creative, and delicious gifts and experiences, so let’s get started! From gorgeous ferns and succulents to tasty coffee and chocolate (and lots in between), here is our 2021 local gift guide for Mother’s Day.
Plant Shop (Capitol Hill)
Surrounding yourself with houseplants has been proven to increase productivity, calm nerves, and boost good moods. The past year was a tough one, so these healing benefits may be needed now more than ever.
Forego getting your mom a bouquet of flowers this year in place of a luscious, living plant from Capitol Hill’s Plant Shop. Order online from their selection of in-stock plants for pickup or free local delivery, or opt for a gift card and let Mom choose.
Indi Chocolate (Pike Place Market)
Who doesn’t love chocolate? Rather than picking up some bars from the grocery store, look into supporting a local chocolate shop. Indi Chocolate, located in Pike Place Market, specializes in small batch, single origin dark chocolate, and even hosts virtual and in-store classes. If chocolate isn’t your mom’s favorite thing, Indi Chocolate also makes tasty spice rubs, teas, mixology kits, bath and body products, and coffee—so you’re certain to find a great gift for Mother’s Day.
Elm Candle Bar (Capitol Hill)
Nothing says luxury like a scented candle. Elm Candle Bar in Capitol Hill is a new candle store that specializes in allowing you to pour and customize your own soy candles in-store. Book a reservation for you and your favorite mom, or order a DIY candle-making kit to bring the sweet-smelling experience to your home—or your Zoom hangout!
[Related: Pepper’s Personal Assistants Seattle Local Holiday Gift Guide 2020]
Third Place Books (Lake Forest Park, Ravenna, Seward Park)
A book is an amazing gift—one that can open up the reader to other worlds, new knowledge, and adventure. Pass on a favorite read to the mom in your life, or if you’re not quite sure her taste, give a gift card so she can find her own escape between the pages.
Local bookstores like Third Place Books (with locations in Lake Forest Park, Ravenna, and Seward Park) have endless options for new and gently used books, planners, arts and craft sets, and other creative gifts that would make a perfect Mother’s Day present.
Left Bank Wine Bar (South Park)
Sometimes after a long day of running around, a nice glass of wine is just what the doctor ordered. Treat your mom a delicious local bottle from Left Bank, a wine bar and bottle shop dedicated to making natural wine more accessible (and affordable). Check out their online shop or sign Mom up for their monthly subscription service. Can’t choose? The folks at Left Bank are happy to curate 4, 6, and 12 bottle selections for you.
Penelope and the Beauty Bar (Downtown)
This Mother’s Day, embrace the idea of self-care in the form of massages, skincare, facials, and more with Penelope and the Beauty Bar. This luxury spa located in the heart of downtown offers countless ways to unwind and relax. From their high-end beauty and skincare products to their spa service packages and gift certificates, you’ll be sure to find something your mom (and you) can feel great about.
[Related: All About Pepper’s Personal Assistants—and How We Can Help]
Pepper’s Personal Assistants
If your mom is like most of us, she wishes she had a few extra hours in the day. That’s why signing her up for our Task Assistant package is one of the greatest gifts you can give this Mother’s Day. Pepper’s Personal Assistants’ Task Assistant package provides 5 hours with a dedicated personal assistant a week. Help your mom cross off her to-do list and give her more time to focus on herself. Contact us today to find out more!
Regardless of how you celebrate Mother’s Day this year, whether it’s together or over a video, the most important thing is to show your love and appreciation for all of their hard work.
Happy Mother’s Day!
by Kara | Oct 13, 2020 | Business, General, Outsourcing, Parenting, Small Business
Many great business leaders share a common belief: Employees are the main contributor to an organization’s success. These leaders know that when they hire great people and treat them well, these employees will provide clients with an excellent experience, and help the business thrive.
In 2012, I started Pepper’s Personal Assistants, with this same approach. I focused on building a culture of “togetherness.” While our assistants work directly in client homes, we hold in-person meetings and social events throughout the year to continue building on our solid culture. There’s certain energy we gain from these face-to-face gatherings, and it reminds us that we’re all part of one team that likes to share successes, solve problems, support one another, and have fun.
Covid-19 forced us to cancel these meetings and shift to Zoom and other online forums. We truly miss connecting with each other in person. Our business faced many challenges, as our assistants were unable to perform work within client homes for nearly three months. As we worked to create a path forward for our team and our clients, we continued to focus on our core approach. Our employees needed support and not just at work, but for the uncertainties, they were facing in their personal lives as well.
I was honored to be included in this Wall Street Journal story: Battling Pandemic Blues: How Managers Can Rally the Troops. Here are a few additional thoughts I have on how to manage effectively and keep your focus on employees:
- Show grace – This is an unprecedented time, and employees are facing a number of different fears and uncertainties – for their own emotional and physical health and that of their families; stress from their children’s online learning; and isolation for those living alone or facing loss. Focus on supporting each employee as a whole person, not just a worker. Be patient and kind, as you may be the only source of stability and understanding in their lives right now.
- Continue offering pay and benefits – During the time when we could not visit client homes, we were fortunate to be able to continue paying our employees and offering benefits, thanks to many of our clients generously continuing with reduced packages. This helped alleviate worries about financial stability during the shutdown. Team members were grateful and wanted to be productive during this time. We scheduled a number of online training sessions so they could build their skill sets in different areas. Our team also helped clients with tasks remotely, like doing online research and preparing children for remote learning.
- Get in front of issues – Before the governor issued shutdown orders, we were already creating a plan and talking with employees and clients. We did the same when we were allowed back into client homes with safety protocols. Being transparent with my team is a central part of how I manage the business. Sharing challenges and approaches also means I’m open to the team’s input, ideas and support, all of which are integral to success as we move forward.
- Provide a sense of purpose – Give team members projects that will stretch their skills and enable them to contribute in a meaningful way. One of our household managers, for example, is an excellent cook and gave our team a Zoom training on cooking techniques during the shutdown. Everyone loved it and learned from it. This employee gained new skills in planning and presenting a training to the team. She’s also now the “go-to” expert for questions on recipes and meal prep.
- Hold meetings that aren’t focused on work – We’ve held Zoom meetings focused on self-care, with each employee offering a tip to their colleagues. I call employees regularly without an agenda, just to check in and ask how they’re doing and how I can support them. I want my team to know that I genuinely care and want to help them through this time, even if it’s just to listen or provide some encouragement.
This continues to be a challenging environment, but I’m proud of how our team continues to work through uncertainty and support one another. Communicating frequently, being transparent and treating your employees as people first will help keep your culture strong. Investing in your team will bring huge benefits: Once the pandemic is behind us, you’re likely to have a stronger and more cohesive team than ever before.
