February 11

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Hearing Panelist Information and Written Statement

Panel Two: The Business Perspective - What it’s Like to Operate in the Airport

Kathy Taylor, President, Dilettante Chocolate

INFORMATION:

college. We have now lived in the Seattle area for 26 years. The past 20 years I have been

actively involved in our food manufacturing business. In addition to my professional work, I

have served as a volunteer with Childhaven and with Special Olympics Washington.

STATEMENT:

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Kathleen Taylor and I am the proud

owner of Dilettante Chocolates. I am a lifelong resident of the State of Washington. Dilettante

has been in business in the Seattle market for 37 years. We pride ourselves on our unique

the Central Terminal since the opening of the Pacific Market Place in 2005. This location is open

24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In 2013 we were awarded a temporary location in the North

Satellite. I am here today as an individual business owner but I do believe that these comments

are representative of many of the small business concessionaires.

I employ 22 individuals at SeaTac Airport. 18 work 30 or more hours per week. The other 4

employees were hired on a part time basis at their request. As is common in this industry, the

vast majority of my employees are female. Starting wages for my employees are in excess of

the state’s minimum wage and in addition they receive substantial customer gratuities. I

provide paid holidays and paid sick leave. We provide the opportunity to participate in medical

program. My approach to compensation is to be above and beyond the minimum required and

I am proud that I can offer this kind of employment environment for my associates.

In 2011 pursuant to our lease agreement I completely refurbished our Central Terminal location

with new flooring and cabinetry and paint schemes to further enhance our presence. This

commitment was an investment of $40,000. Our refurbishment was recognized by the Port

due its scope of work and successful outcome. In addition, I became personally acquainted

with the late night SeaTac personnel and processes. I learned the importance of having coffee

available in the very early morning hours….

our customer base develop both nationally and internationally. As a woman owned business, I

have always appreciated the support I have received from the Port retail management. They

have always been clear and direct in regards to details and expectations, and I strive to achieve

their goals. A major attribute of a small locally owned company is our ability to be personally

involved and interactive with our employees and customers.

Many of our employees have been part of the team for many years and have worked at our

various locations. It is always rewarding to watch an employee develop personally and

professionally and be able to promote from within our organization, as well as being flexible in

meeting their scheduling and locations needs. As a company, the proper training of our

At the same time we face many more hurdles and risks than the large national concessionaires.

My average sale is about $5. That coupled with the fact that I do not have the same degree of

economies of scale and advertising that many of the national and public traded companies are

afforded, I must forever be vigilant in monitoring our costs in order to achieve growth…even at

a slow pace. Also, due to the necessary security requirements at the airport it is a well-known

employees.

One of the purposes of your meeting today is to hear what I and others think about the living

wage discussion that is going on in our community. I think it is safe to say that we are all in

agreement that a living wage is important. I believe that the difficulties arise in providing a

rational balance to the definition. All employees deserve a work place that is safe, free from

discriminations and personally rewarding. Employers have the right to manage their own

business with integrity and the hope of being able to achieve long term goals. In this day and

age of free enterprise and competition from many angles and sources, if an employer is not

operating in good faith, I do not believe they will survive. If the Port values diversity and small