Each year, the Camp Arcadia Summer Staff Leadership Team visits a local business to draw inspiration from exemplary service and hospitality. Last week, the team traveled to the Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor, where they were treated to lunch and a talk from Bob Sutherland, founder and owner, and other key staff members. They shared that their motto, “Life, Liberty, Beaches, and Pie,” is more than just a t-shirt slogan; it serves as the guiding values of their organization.
The Camp staff were surprised to learn about the history of the Cherry Republic, which originated as a simple t-shirt stand more than 37 years ago. Since then, the business has grown into a well-known brand with seven retail locations throughout Michigan, 600 employees, and an expansive catalog of over 200 cherry-based products, ranging from dark chocolate-covered cherries to tangy salsas. It all began in Glen Arbor, and its campus there has continued to evolve into a true destination, where visitors can explore the winery and restaurant, stroll through perennial gardens, and enjoy the company’s generous free samples in the Great Hall.
During his talk, Bob emphasized that while the company has experienced much change over the years, its principles have remained the same. The company is dedicated to supporting the local farmers, building community, protecting the natural beauty of Northern Michigan, and ensuring that everyone feels welcome.
Here are their four core principles:
LIFE (Local): This value focuses on sharing the “vital spirit of cherries and Northern Michigan”. It’s about celebrating the region’s agricultural heritage.
- LIBERTY (Self-Driven): The company encourages staff to feel “fully charged” and free to innovate, finding new ways to work smarter, save money, and contribute to the company’s growth.
- BEACHES (Lightness of Being): This pillar emphasizes the balance of working hard and having fun. “Beach days” are encouraged to give staff time to get outside and experience the beauty of Northern Michigan.
- PIE (Generosity): Pie stands for sharing the earth’s abundance. This is most visible in their practice of giving out free samples and supporting community efforts.
Reflecting on the outing, Executive Director Chip May shared, “The Camp staff were inspired by Bob’s focus on having fun while providing excellent service. He talked about how they encourage ‘beach’ days where they take part of a day off to enjoy themselves in Northern Michigan.” This insight immediately sparked ideas for the Camp leadership team on how to infuse a similar sense of play into their own workdays.
Assistant Director Shelly Gallo built on this idea of purposeful fun, noting, “They reminded us not to take ourselves too seriously but to remember that the goal is to connect with people.” Cherry Republic brings this principle to life creatively across its property—using clever signs like “Just cherries, not rocket science,” and intentionally omitting directional signs on buildings to prompt customers to interact more with the staff.
The Cherry Republic staff also reminded the Camp team to avoid letting the pursuit of perfection get in the way of serving the guests. Elise Neumeyer, Assistant Program Director, appreciated Bob’s emphasis on moving past mistakes without overthinking them. This matches the training Camp Arcadia staff receive, which teaches them that a genuine personal bond matters far more than the flawless execution of a task.
This people-first philosophy also extends to Cherry Republic’s hiring process—a model that closely aligns with how Camp Arcadia selects its own staff. Bob shared that when recruiting, he avoids focusing solely on “A students” from the local high school. Instead, he intentionally seeks out the individuals who naturally light up a room the moment they walk in. For both organizations, hiring for energy, warmth, and character has proven to be the secret to their success.
To celebrate a great day of learning, the Camp team finished their trip with a scenic hike up to the top of Pyramid Point, overlooking the Lake Michigan shoreline.
We are incredibly grateful to Cherry Republic for taking the time to share their story with us and help inspire our staff leaders to extend hospitality and fun to Camp Arcadia guests throughout this summer season.
You can learn more about the history of Cherry Republic HERE.
