Put simply, Harvey and Corrinn Waldron and their family are in the business of helping people make good memories.
“We sell fun,” said Harvey, who started Waldron Arctic Cat Kawasaki 24 years ago.
After falling in love with snowmobiling in upstate New York in the 1970s, Harvey Waldron began racing snowmobiles and later won the International World Series in 1980.
“I got involved in the snowmobile business to support my racing habit,” he said, laughing.
The business that started with Harvey fixing snowmobiles for a few clients here and there led to the family renting space at a building in Issaquah. Over the years, they’ve grown and expanded into the building next door, adding sales of vehicles and other merchandise, custom-built snowmobiles, motorcycles and more. Six years ago, they became a Kawasaki dealership as well.
Harvey and Corrinn’s daughter, Cathy, and 11-year-old granddaughter, Shannell, help out occasionally. Their son-in-law, Greg Thompson, and 16-year-old grandson, Jake, play integral roles.
Jake has been working on snowmobiles practically since he could crawl, Corrinn said, and now helps envision custom designs for customers who want more power or a unique design. And, he’s the star of a “Cribs”-style YouTube video featured on Waldron’s Web site at www.waldronarctic.com.
Customers have told the Waldrons that they have enjoyed watching Jake grow up — and the Waldrons feel the same way about their clients. They now have customers who are the children of customers from years past.
The family feels they offer service above and beyond what people could get at a larger store or repair shop.
“It’s our personal reputation, so you know we’re going to care,” Corrinn said.
And, while it’s somewhat cliché, Harvey said they really do treat their customers like another member of their own family.
“The other thing with family businesses is that everyone does a little bit of everything,” Harvey said. That’s particularly important for him, since he still works full-time as an engineer with The Boeing Co. and arrives at the shop each day in the late afternoon.
He and Corrinn also clearly enjoy working with their family members, especially Jake, who offers a fresh point of view.
“As long as I can remember from Jake’s perspective, he constantly challenges me, sees things and points things out,” Harvey said. “He has yet to be wrong.”
