Read a copy of my latest newsletter titled: "Why hide a good thing? And a reminder of what networking is" below

Why hide a good thing?

I swung by the Safeway in Yelm today after my pain management massage (had to use their restroom as the one at my massage place was in use for some time after my massage) and to pick up a Champagne cheddar cheese they only sell. I knew they most likely sold the Jackson's brand sweet potato chips I like (jalapeno flavor) since Albertsons sells it (and I even verified in the Safeway app). The guy that was stocking water and in the chip aisle wasn't helpful (he said "We don't have the same things as Walmart") [I never said "Walmart" and told him this, I said Albertsons]. I tried asking him where else they would sell chips because it was nowhere in their chip aisle (I thoroughly checked including both end caps of the chip aisle) and explained how Albertsons in Puyallup sells those specific chips near their front door. He suggested I check near the check-out area (nothing) nor their front door area. While I was near self-check-out, I asked the older woman worker there where else chips would be sold and explained my dilemma. She said to check the deli. I went to the deli and didn't see anything so I asked one of the young guy workers there and not only informed him of my dilemma, but how the people weren't too helpful here. Not sure if the motivated him, but he tried to help me (by at least looking at the photo of the chips I was looking for on my phone in the Safeway app even though he told me he works deli) and I explained how I know they sell it and how unlike Fred Meyer, it doesn't say in the app where it's located. His coworker pointed to some pretzels in bags in the deli (I looked at the small stand) and the chips weren't there. I pointed to another worker (guy) that walked by and asked if maybe he'd know. He said "maybe" when I asked this guy he said they were on the back wall in the produce section. I asked him if he could take me there since this was my first time shopping their store. He did. I can't believe they have a whole book case size full of just these chips (in different flavors) in the far end of the produce section RIGHT BEFORE the doors workers go into in the back. Why hide a good thing? You heard all the work I went through to hunt down those chips, imagine the average person! 😲


When I went to the self-check-out to ring up, the same cashier that pointed me into the produce section acted excited that I found the chips. (I was surprised, she cared?) I acted completely normal and nice with her and responded, "Yeah" and told her that they were on sale, too (which they were).

In the same way these healthy AND delicious chips should NOT be hidden, don't hide the fact that you're voting for me DAILY for the 'Best in the Pacific NW' contest. Tell someone about voting for me, about me, and even have them vote for me, too! 😀😊🙂🙏 Heck, forward them my newsletter as I am also looking for franchise marketers (bottom section of this newsletter). This is what networking is all about. :)

Step-by-step instructions for voting for my business with my custom URL (website link):

1. Visit: https://votethepnw.com/WorkSolutions

2. You will then see my page, click on the 2 radio buttons (circles next to the words "Customer Service" and "Woman-owned business" [they are called "radio buttons if you're on a computer AND on a phone you'd be putting ☑️ (check marks) next to "Customer Service" and "Woman-owned business"]

3. Click the "Submit" button
NOTE: It'll take you to my business website where you'll click "Done" button and close out ("X" button in upper TOP right corner of the page).

​4. Send an email to [email protected] immediately after voting for me each day. WHY? It holds you accountable and lets me know I'm being voted for. 🙂

Of course, contact me ASAP, too if you have any questions/problems at the same email address above. Thank you! 🙏

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THIS ONCE PER DAY STARTING TODAY voting started (6/9/25) & goes thru 6/27/25 BEFORE 5 pm PST.

IMPORTANT - SOME TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS: If you accidentally for whatever reason end up making mistakes when voting for me (i.e. accidentally NOT clicking both radio buttons (or check marks when you're on a phone) next to BOTH my categories "customer service" and "woman-owned business" and already submitted the vote and it says you voted and need to wait until midnight to vote again: open another internet browser than the one you were just using to vote for me (for example, if you were using Chrome, use Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge [as some examples of internet browsers] to do the vote for the second category). If for whatever reason it still says you already voted OR you don't know how to/don't want to download OR open another internet browser on your device go on a completely different device to do it (i.e. another computer, phone, or tablet BEFORE MIDNIGHT on that day to get your vote in).


MORE TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS: A lot of times hitting the "Refresh" button (also known as "F5" button on a computer keyboard) can solve lots of glitches (i.e. pages NOT loading fully or properly). Double-checking you're at the right website, ensuring internet is active (you have the service active on the device you're using) and it's presently working (NOT down). PLEASE do NOT let technical glitches and/or computers and/or other devices you may have that are under construction/don't have active services (i.e. internet) stop you from completing your DAILY vote. PLEASE procure another device at your home/where you're staying OR do it a place that you do have access to a device if where you're staying/living has no device(s)/internet. Thank you! 🙏🙂

​To visit my custom URL (website link) from my QR code by using your smart phone (it would take you to the same website as: https://votethepnw.com/WorkSolutions)

position your smart phone on the QR code image BELOW after selecting "Camera" option (like you're going to take a picture) and then click on the yellow background for the words that read "votethepnw.com" COUPLE IMPORTANT NOTES: 1) Follow the instructions for voting for me above in this same email as if you did without visiting this QR code after you successfully are on my voting page. 2) These instructions are from an iPhone so if it doesn't work with your smart phone, you'll have to refer to your user manual OR look up in Google how to access a QR code with your phone's device type (you know make & model). If you're still having problems and do NOT have access to someone who could show you how to do, visit your cell company's store closest to you as one of their workers can show you. (If your cell phone company's store isn't local to you/they don't have in-store options, visit any major cell phone company store closest to you as I'm sure one of their workers can show you). 🙂

Of course, contact me ASAP, too if you have any questions/problems by emailing me to: [email protected]. Thank you! 🙏


THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THIS ONCE PER DAY STARTING TODAY voting started (6/9/25) & goes thru 6/27/25 BEFORE 5 pm PST.

In case you're wondering what I get when I win at least one category for the 'Best in the Pacific NW' contest 🙂👇

Aside from the recognition, bragging rights, more credibility, another award for my business, all winners receive complimentary listings in the winners’ magazine (Gold winners get a photo and a write up to go along with their win). They also receive a full digital presence on the Best In the PNW results sites that stays up year over year to reflect their win in the contest.

My mom's partner asked if I won money. I must admit money would be nice. I suggested gold winners win $1,000 and regular winners receive $800. (I mean hey, it'd be nice to get back the money for the custom URL with a little extra). 🙂 I'd also liked a signed certificate that I could frame. (Remember the answer is always no unless you ask. Besides, it could be something they implement going forward if NOT now). When I informed my contact of my ideas, she said she would forward my suggestions.

​Does anyone know of a franchise marketer of a franchise business OR a franchise business owner who is also the franchise marketer (including yourself) that is in North America and would ❤️ to be interviewed for Active Campaign, a marketing platform with more than 200k users?

After finding the above request 👆 (the header of this section of my newsletter), our conversation will appear as a Q & A and will be posted on their website & distributed to more than 200k social media followers across all platforms as a part of a company-wide effort to serve the franchise space. As a part of that effort, we're creating videos & blog posts for (and by) franchise marketing experts-- that means you. 🙂

I am looking to interview North American based franchise marketers OR franchise business owners who are also franchise marketers of businesses that are 10s OR 100s of locations NOT 1000s for example, Cinnabon has 981 locations across the U.S.
Common franchise industries include: pet care, home services, fitness, and food services. After I complete the Q & A article of the franchise marketer, it will be distributed via a regular newsletter through Active Campaign, including its social media channels (29k Facebook followers, 20k Instagram followers, 13k Twitter/X followers, 18k YouTube subscribers, 142k LinkedIn followers, AND my business email newsletter, my Facebook pages & to the public on there, my LinkedIn groups & to the public on there, and my business website).

​Thank you 🙏 for forwarding to someone who'd fit this criteria. I can be contacted via email: [email protected]. Questions can also be directed to this email address. I will respond as soon as possible/I can, but please do NOT follow up until at least 3 full business days have passed since you sent the initial email to me NOT counting holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I normally put automatic out-of-office email responses when I'm truly out of the office, but do NOT put them on Saturdays, Sundays, or every single holiday. Thank you! 🙏🙂

Thank you,



Carly Calabrese

Highly motivated entrepreneur that is open for freelance and remote only U.S. based writing/editing projects/positions for individuals, businesses, etc. (if you are an editor OR know of an editor that hires for this), please email me. Thank you! 🙏

Email me: [email protected]

Work Solutions (my business of 12 years that I founded)

Visit: worksolutionstoday.com (To specifically check out my latest news & updates such as a copy of my latest business newsletter [you know what you're presently reading 😊], visit: worksolutionstoday.com/blog)

Additionally, founder & manager of a Covid awareness & support blog visit: corona-virus-awarenessandsupport.blogspot.com

“Never let the fear of striking out stop you from playing the game."--Babe Ruth