Rick Bell – Manager, Redway Self-Storage
Tell me how you first got involved with West Coast?
Having used self-storage personally, I had talked to the couple that was running the facility. They stated how much they loved taking care of the business and how much less stress there was than what they had experienced in their prior corporate jobs. I had heard this from a couple of other people as well. Once I retired, I started thinking about this further and low and behold, I saw a Craigslist ad for a manager of a new self-storage facility in Redmond. I responded to the ad and received a call from Sophie (Vetter), who then set up an appointment with Tom (Davies.) Now, I have been working at Red Way Self-Storage for over a year and am loving every moment!
What would you say are some of your strongest beliefs about West Coast?
I would say that West Coast’s management team definitely walks the talk and places their people first. This is very refreshing in the corporate environment of today. Everyone is approachable, listens, and provides constructive feedback. Genially engaged!
What do you think will change about West Coast over the next five years?
With the continued growth of West Coast throughout the Pacific Northwest, this will bring about change in many ways. We will be provided more opportunities to streamline processes, take advantage of brokering better purchasing power along with the influx of more talent into our team. We must stay true to our focus on customer service as well as keeping the strong work culture of placing our people first. We are facing some very exciting times over the next five years. I am looking forward to being a part in making it happen.
What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had? Explain.
Self-Storage, right? I have been in management my entire life so I cannot think of anything that would be considered weird. However, I have been blessed to travel the globe and conduct business with many different cultures and thought processes. Along with that raised many challenges. One of the most interesting challenges was that of trying to incorporate our corporation’s philosophical approach as well as our ethical approach toward the businesses within those countries that don’t abide by the same beliefs.
What is your greatest fear? Why?
I would definitely say that of losing some of our basic core competencies and becoming less employee focused on what it truly takes to retain well motivated and skilled employees.
Rick on Red Way Self-Storage “Eco-Roof”
Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
As I mentioned, having traveled the world over the past 20 years there are so many places that stand out due to their natural beauty. However, one thing that comes to mind are the many cultures and perspectives that are different than in the U.S. The one string that weaves throughout is everyone has family; everyone wants to provide for their family and they all want to be able to stay healthy. To me, that is the best.
What is your “Go-to” joke?
I have always been the more serious type and am really jealous of the talent Jim (McNamee) and John (Eisenbarth) have in entertaining the team. While not a joke, I do like the adage, “If you don’t like it, fix it. If you can’t fix it, fix yourself so you can fix it.”
About the Author: Derek Hines
Internet Marketing Specialist
Derek is originally from the great state of Wisconsin (go Badgers), but is slowly becoming a Pacific Northwesterner. As part of the Internet Marketing team, he writes extensively on storage, moving and life for West Coast Self-Storage, based in Everett, Washington.