“When it has lived five hundred
years, [the Phoenix] builds itself
a nest in the branches of an
oak, on the top of a palm tree.
In this it … builds a pile on
which it deposits itself, and
dying, breathes out its last
breath amidst odors. From the
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Costco member businesses
body of the parent bird, a young Phoenix issues forth,
destined to live as long a life as its predecessor.”—Ovid
The story of the Phoenix is found in ancient
mythology, but the spirit of the tale lives today
in people who have faced incredible obstacles,
only to survive and thrive.
The Costco Connection issued a call to
members who have endured great hardships in their small
businesses and started anew. The response was over-
whelming, from a home-based business shut down by the
September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to a family-owned
nursery flattened by a spring storm to a tire shop destroyed
by a tornado.
Some themes emerged: These businesses are particu-
larly vulnerable to disasters because their assets are often
gathered in one location—if it’s destroyed, everything is
gone. And unlike large corporations, small businesses don’t
have deep bank accounts to help them rebuild.
What they do have is resilience, determination,
an instinct for survival and an unwavering commitment
to keeping their small-business dream alive. Their busi-
nesses, like the Phoenix, arose from the ashes.
The Costco Connection chose six small businesses out
of some 100 compelling entries to honor
for their response to adversity. Each will
receive a $100 Costco Cash Card and a
special plaque. Their stories serve as inspi-
ration for all of us.—Tim Talevich
Mary and Larry Harris (above)
Matanuska Gardens
Wasilla, Alaska
On March 12, 2003, weather forecast-ers called for cold temperatures and
strong winds—not an unusual forecast for the Matanuska/Susitna Valley near
Anchorage, Alaska. In response, Mary and
Larry Harris set out to protect the plants and
equipment vital to their wholesale greenhouse
business, Matanuska Gardens. They covered
the plants in their three greenhouses, sprayed
the plants with kelp and set alarms to signal if
After a windstorm destroyed their greenhouses, Larry and Mary Harris, (center
and second from right) say their employees
worked without pay to rebuild the business.
storm damaged approximately $40,000 worth
of buildings and equipment, plus half of the
season’s crops.
the buildings’ temperatures dropped too low.
Their preparations did little against the
freak windstorm that brought 100 mph winds.
Daylight confirmed their worst fears: Everything was gone. The storm leveled all three
buildings, and debris littered their 10 acres. The
“It was like a kick in the stomach,” says
Mary of her reaction to the damage. She says
the hardest part was cleaning up and finding
tags in the rubble from her “babies,” plants
she’d been nursing along.
Mary called customers to let them know
they wouldn’t make the season’s first delivery, which was scheduled for March 15. Then,
when their employees showed up for work,
