📢 Leadership Lessons America Can Learn from Costco
🗽People Power United is a grassroots group of over 200,000+ members in all 50 states-powered by people like YOU. We champion progress and power to the people.
People Power United is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Why Costco’s Success Should Inspire Leaders
If you've ever met me, you'd quickly discover I'm a proud and loyal Costco member. My admiration for Costco started back in my home state of Washington, where the original "mothership" store is located, and it's a loyalty I've carried with me everywhere I've moved since. What makes Costco stand out isn't just its great deals or quality products—it's their unwavering commitment to fairness, ethical practices, and taking care of their employees and suppliers. They're not perfect, but whenever they make a mistake, they take responsibility, adjust course, and strive to do better. In many ways, Costco is more than just a business—it's a model for what America could be.
Here's something you might not know: one in three Americans shops at Costco. Even more impressive, their former CEO spent years visiting stores to talk directly with employees and customers—not sitting in an office plotting ways to cut corners or exploit working families. Costco's business model is refreshingly straightforward: focus on solutions that benefit everyone.
They source from trusted suppliers, simplify their product selection to prioritize quality and share profits generously with their employees. Most importantly, they don't rely on squeezing profits from products; instead, their success comes from customer loyalty. By making profits from memberships and not the products they sell, Costco recognizes the value of trust and ensures they deliver real value in return.
Costco’s approach isn’t just good business—it’s a blueprint for building a stronger, fairer community. If more companies, and even our nation, embraced this mindset, imagine the possibilities. In an era of rising inequality, political dysfunction, and disillusionment with leaders in the White House and Congress, Costco stands out as a model of integrity, efficiency, and humanity. This sharply contrasts with the Congressional Republicans and President Trump’s shift toward an autocratic theocracy, rooted in power consolidation and eroding public trust.
Costco’s journey to becoming the world’s third-largest retailer reflects the power of ethical leadership. From its humble beginnings to its global success, Costco has consistently prioritized long-term trust over short-term gain. Even in economic uncertainty, the company champions affordability, employee well-being, and customer satisfaction. Imagine if America’s leaders adopted similar principles, focusing on reducing costs, fostering trust, and creating opportunities for all. Instead of tax breaks for billionaires and corporations, they could prioritize healthcare, affordable housing, climate action, and more.
Costco’s leadership extends to fair pricing and supplier integrity. By reducing the price of its Kirkland Signature water, it compelled competitors like Poland Spring to follow suit, showcasing its influence in maintaining market fairness. Its commitment to employees is equally remarkable—industry-leading wages and benefits have even made millionaires out of cashiers and warehouse staff. Believe it or not, I've met several millionaires who work at Costco—cashiers, warehouse staff, and even the person managing the cart returns! This respect for workers fosters loyalty and productivity, a stark contrast to companies that exploit their workforce.
The company’s simplicity-driven model, offering only 4,000 high-quality items compared to competitors’ tens of thousands, reflects a deep understanding of consumer needs. This strategy mirrors the “paradox of choice,” where fewer options lead to greater satisfaction. Costco’s ability to adapt, even as competitors faltered, highlights the importance of responsive leadership rooted in solving problems and building loyalty.
Contrast this with Trump and Congressional Republicans, whose policies often prioritize the wealthy elite over everyday Americans. Trump’s Project 2025 exemplifies this, aiming to dismantle democratic protections, attack reproductive rights, threaten Social Security, Medicare, and more. While Costco builds trust through transparency, Trump and his allies fuel division and misinformation, fostering inequality and centralizing power.
America faces a crossroads: Will we embrace leadership that values inclusivity, problem-solving, and shared success, or continue down the path of authoritarianism and inequality? Costco’s model demonstrates that thriving while honoring employees, respecting customers, and championing fairness is possible. By rejecting fear and division and demanding leaders who prioritize the well-being of all, we can build a future where democracy thrives. Leadership like Costco’s is the key to a more just and prosperous America. The question is, will we demand it?
Together we can champion Progress and Power to the People
People Power United members are committed to championing progress and power to the people. We don't just complain; we do the work to make change happen.
Friends, now is not the time to succumb to fear or exhaustion—that's precisely what radical Republicans, extreme conservatives, and MAGA supporters desire. Let's unite and advocate for an America where everyone can thrive, not just the wealthy, powerful, or privileged.
Click here to become a member of Costco. As a member, you can place orders and have them delivered anytime—you’re not limited to shopping only at the warehouse.
Click here to buy stock in Costco.
Click here to Tell Republicans: No Cuts to Medicaid
Click here to Reject Trump’s Cruel Attacks on Immigrants
Click here to Oppose the SAVE Act Voter Suppression Bill Today
📅 Take action with People Power United events:
Wed, Feb 5 at 8pm
Wed, Feb 5 at 6:30pm
Anytime
Anytime
Anytime
Now forming! Find your People Power United state group here.
People Power United Updates
Our group is growing by leaps and bounds! Folks understand that with love in our hearts and hard work, we will reclaim our nation from cruelty, chaos, and confusion. We are having fun making impactful changes in our community! In case you missed it, this past week was busy:
People Power United responds to Trump's Mass Pardons
People Power United joins coalition efforts to urge Senators to oppose the nomination of Russell Vought for director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
People Power United’s statement on President Biden affirming the Equal Rights Amendment as ratified
People Power United’s statement on the release of Leonard Peltier
Statement on the loss of Cecile Richards
We sent out several updates and news briefs on our newsletters:
Our mission is to inspire and empower people from all walks of life to believe in the possibility of change—and to do the work together to make it happen. In this community, silence in the face of hate or bigotry is never an option. Together, we must champion dignity, create opportunities for everyone to thrive, and ensure safety and justice for all.
✨ Together we can inspire change!
People Power United is a grassroots group of over 200,000+ members in all 50 states-powered by people like YOU. We champion progress and power to the people.
We believe in change because we make change happen.
Here’s what makes us special:
💡 Grassroots energy: No fundraising, no constant emails asking for donations.
📢 Impact through action: We believe in the possibility of change and do the work to make it happen. We don’t just complain, we make change happen!
In this community, we will never stay silent in the face of hate or bigotry. We stand up and speak out against racism, xenophobia, islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and every form of discrimination that seeks to divide and harm.
We believe:
Everyone deserves dignity —with access to housing, healthcare, and education.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive — regardless of age, race, sex, sexual preference, preferred pronouns, religion, or employment status.
Everyone deserves safety—clean air and water, and communities free from gun violence.
Join us to build People Power! Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people's will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.
The power is in your hands. Let’s fight for freedom over fascism—because our future depends on it.
What You Can Do
Click here to signup for our next event: Rapid Response for Our Freedoms. Details: 📅 Date: Sundays 🕒 Time: 8 PM Eastern 📍 Location: Via Zoom. RSVP today and bring your voice to the movement!
People Power United doesn’t fundraise, but your support can make all the difference. Hearts ❤️, comments🗣️, shares 📢, and follows 📌are always appreciated.
Follow us on BlueSky
Follow us on Facebook and/or other social media
Can you share People Power United on Substack?
Can you give us a review on Google? 5 stars are always appreciated.
Click here to take a grassroots survey to help our movement building efforts.
Join us to build People Power! Together, we can champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people's will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.
Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
Leader, People Power United
Representing America's largest grassroots organization with over 200,000+ members, driven entirely by the energy and commitment of everyday people. We are proudly 100% independent, powered by people—not special interests.
People Power United | In this community, we will always speak out against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and bigotry! Check out our 2023 recap post to see how impactful our scrappy People Power United group is!
People Power United is a group of community members that champions progressive values and power for the people.
People Power United is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Very informative information, but the post go on to long.
I am trying to pay attention to the immigration deportation .
Any suggestions on actions to take?