When I first started my business, people often told me, “Seattle has so many wealthy families,” implying that those families would make the best clients. But over the years, I’ve learned that the most rewarding clients aren’t necessarily the wealthiest. Instead, they’re the middle- to lower-class families who have worked hard for what they have and genuinely appreciate the efforts of others.
One experience, in particular, stands out. A few years ago, we were hired to assist with some “light packing” for a family in Seattle’s Mt. Baker neighborhood. They were well-off and lived in a stunning five-story home, which they were preparing to sell as they downsized. Initially, the job seemed straightforward—just a bit of packing to help get the home market-ready.
But as it often happens, “light packing” quickly turned into packing everything. We adjusted, as we always do, and got to work, carefully packing up their home and coordinating with movers to transfer everything into storage until they found their next place.
Here’s where things got challenging. This was a five-story house with an elevator—a major convenience for moving large furniture. But just as the movers started loading items onto the elevator, the client abruptly stopped them.
“We don’t want you to use the elevator,” they said.
I asked why, expecting a logical reason. Instead, their only response was, “We just prefer you use the stairs.”
So, the movers—who were already working hard—had to haul every single item down five flights of stairs. It was exhausting, backbreaking work, but they powered through and got everything loaded onto the truck.
And then came the final blow. As the movers finished up, the client turned to me and said, “I would tip them, but my husband handles all the cash.”
No words.
Later, the realtor who had connected us asked if I’d be willing to do additional work for this client. Without hesitation, I declined. Unfortunately, that decision ended my relationship with the realtor, but I don’t regret it. At the end of the day, I believe in working with clients who value and respect the hard work my team puts in.
Because appreciation goes a long way. And I’ve found that it’s often those who have worked the hardest for what they have who truly understand that.