Q and A Pauline Martin -- MCCLEARY CHAMBER PRESIDENT, SUBWAY RESTAURANT OWNER
MACLEOD PAPPIDAS |THE DAILYWORLDFor Pauline Martin, 46, owning and running Subway restaurants is a family thing. Being born in Spokane, Martin has also lived in Detroit and Seattle and found her way to McCleary, where she runs her own Subway, is the president of the McCleary Chamber of Commerce and volunteers for local non-profit organizations.
Martin, her husband and two daughters live near Shelton because she doesn't want to uproot her girls and change school districts, she said. But, with a laugh, Martin explains that she spends more time in McCleary and Grays Harbor County than at her home. Through working and getting involved in the McCleary community, Martin's main goal is to keep the former company town alive.
When did you open the Subway in McCleary? What was your reasoning for doing so?
I met my husband Wesley while working at a print shop as an outside salesperson. My husband and mother-in-law sold their family business and we moved to a cabin in Mason County. At that time, my mother-in-law purchased a gas station, chain of Subway restaurants and a full-service restaurant within Mason County. It was just my luck to have the opportunity to help her manage those businesses for six years. After we adopted our daughters, I decided that working 70 hours a week wouldn't work. In 2007 we purchased the McCleary Subway from my mother-in-law and dedicated my time to running just that business full-time.
What is a typical day like for you at work? Who do you work with?
I work mainly during the week when most of our regular customers are visiting. That's my favorite part—interacting with my customers. I know it would be expected of me to say slicing tomatoes. But, no. My customers are the reason why I love to work. There's Herman, a customer who comes in, gets coffee and cookies and is a great guy beyond the crust. Then of course there is Mary and Earl who come by three times a week and brighten my day by sharing some of the latest jokes. Mike and Bob are customers who have been coming in for years and it's fun knowing exactly what they are going to order before the door even opens. Of course I feel this good about everyone who comes in my store. I am very fortunate to have a great staff who care about doing a good job and really own what they do. I wouldn't be able to do it without the help of Angela, Paige, Mary, Maddie, Shelby Mollie and Jennifer. They are all so great.
What is least pleasant about your job?
Honestly, I think that most would agree that working at Subway is usually considered a job that someone has on their way to better things. I really have a hard time when someone good moves on to do "something better." It's a selfish thing. But deep down I'm really happy for them and help support their future in any small way that I can.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I hope people wouldn't be surprised about this, but I really enjoy helping people usually through the work of some larger non-profit organizations. I've done a lot of work with Northwest Harvest Food Bank by organizing large food drives during their slow summer months. One year, we had 20 businesses involved and collected about 50,000 pounds of food and $20,000 in donations. I've also been involved in helping organize the Highline Hospital Foundation's main fundraising auction. There are others, but I'm most proud of these because it wasn't just me doing it—it was a community effort.
How and why did you get involved in the McCleary Chamber of Commerce?
Isn't that the thing to do when you buy a business? Join the chamber. Business 101. I will say that after spending time with the other business members and members of the community, my initial selfish reasoning has changed into a mission to help McCleary and the surrounding community thrive. I realize that the more success a community has, the more successful the businesses become. I love McCleary.
What are your main duties in your position? What are your personal goals for your work with the chamber?
I've been re-elected as the McCleary Chamber President, so my duties, besides running Subway, are to run the monthly meetings. Beyond the meetings, I work with the other officers to enhance membership enrollment, develop more membership benefits and a higher value for the dues paid, work toward growth and development of McCleary's economy with the city administrators and act on behalf of businesses with respect to elected officials and planned legislation. Also, my personal goal is to put McCleary and the Bear Festival on the map—again!
How is the chamber trying to help the community?
In lots of ways. The beautification project that hangs flower baskets in the city is currently being expanded.We may possibly be adding artwork in the park. Another way we are helping is assisting with the success of the annual Bear Festival. I'm sure that if you attended last year, you can testify to the renewed energy being invested into our town's most famous shindig. Currently, we are working on a community-wide potluck event that will honor our volunteer organizations. There are other projects in the works too, but I suggest that you join the chamber to find out about them.
Copyright, 2011, Daily World, Aberdeen, Washington, reprinted with permission.