Ep. 15 What Working at Costco Taught Me About Building a Successful Online Business

May 20

Costco will forever hold a special place in my heart. It wasn’t my first job, but it was my first job that really felt like a "grown-up" job. And looking back, I realize that so many of the values I bring to my business today from how I treat clients to how I lead my team can be traced back to that big-box warehouse.

I started working at Costco in 2015 during my junior year of college. I was going to school for graphic design and dreamed of landing a job at a magazine or ad agency. Running my own business was nowhere on the radar. And yet, the lessons I learned while boxing groceries, pushing carts, and rotating through the bakery, deli, and food court shaped me in ways no college class ever could.

It wasn’t until years later, after I'd scaled my design agency and stepped fully into the CEO role, that I realized how deeply those lessons had taken root. Here’s what working at Costco taught me about building a sustainable, values-driven online business.

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Why Costco Is a Big Deal

Before we dive in, let’s talk briefly about why Costco’s business model is worth paying attention to. With over 860 warehouses serving nearly 128 million members and $250 billion in annual revenue (as of 2023), Costco is the third-largest retailer in the U.S. They’ve built this empire without traditional advertising, using minimal product selection and low markups. Everything is grounded in operational excellence, consistency, and trust.

Costco is known for treating employees well, selling only high-quality products, and offering unbeatable value. They don’t aim to be the cheapest; they aim to offer the best value. That kind of integrity is something I try to emulate in my own business.

Care About Your People

At 19 years old, I was a part-time Costco employee who received paid vacation, health insurance, and a 401k. I got time and a half on Sundays, and they were incredibly flexible with my college schedule. That kind of support wasn’t a fluke. It was baked into the culture. My managers showed up, listened, and helped. No one was above anyone else, and that mutual respect made me want to work harder.

The same holds true in online business. If you want your VA, designer, or copywriter to treat your business like their own, you have to treat them like trusted partners. Communicate clearly. Respect their time. Pay them well. When people feel cared for, they’ll go above and beyond for you.

No One Is Too Good for Any Job

At Costco, our highest-paid managers would help push carts in the pouring rain if that’s what the team needed. I once saw a district manager pick up trash off the floor and that made me want to step up, too. The lesson stuck: if you want your team to go all-in, you have to be willing to get your hands dirty.

Today, that means replying to DMs myself. Fixing a broken website link when a client emails me. Jumping in when my team needs support. I’ll never ask someone on my team to do something I wouldn’t do myself. Leading by example sets the tone for your whole business.

Keep Things Stupidly Simple

One of Costco’s biggest strengths is simplicity. Their stores are easy to navigate. Their signage is clear. And instead of 37 types of peanut butter, they offer four. That eliminates decision fatigue, builds trust, and makes it easy to buy.

Online business owners can learn a lot here. A sprawling list of offers, confusing payment options, or a clunky booking process can cost you sales. Keep your offers focused. Make it easy to work with you. Clarity converts.

Quality Over Everything

Costco buyers are obsessed with product quality. Kirkland Signature products are often made by the same manufacturers as big-name brands—like Kirkland vodka, which comes from the Grey Goose factory. And if something isn’t up to standard, they’ll stop selling it, no matter how popular it is.

That same commitment to quality has served me well as a brand and web designer. It’s easy to get caught up in trends or flashy marketing, but at the end of the day, your product or service has to deliver. A strong brand and a beautiful website matter, but what matters more is doing great work. That’s what builds referrals, loyalty, and a reputation that sells for you.

Consistency Builds Trust

Costco’s layout, return policy, and customer experience rarely change, and that’s what people love. There’s comfort in knowing what to expect.

In my own business, consistency shows up in things like delivering projects on time, sticking to my brand voice and visuals, and showing up regularly on Instagram (Mood Board Mondays, anyone?). Repetition builds recognition. Recognition builds trust. And trust is what ultimately drives conversions.

It Was Never Just a College Job

I started working at Costco thinking it was just a way to pay the bills while I earned my degree. But it turned out to be one of the most foundational learning experiences of my life. I met my husband. I grew up. And I absorbed lessons about leadership, brand experience, and customer loyalty that I still use every day.

Those values show up in how I communicate with clients, how I structure my offers, how I design websites, and how I lead my team. I’m not saying you need to work at a warehouse store to build a six-figure brand, but I am saying that wisdom can come from unexpected places.

So now I’m curious: what job from your past taught you something you still carry into your business today? DM me on Instagram and let me know! I’d love to hear your story.