Michael Steadman’s Common Denominator: Relationships

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Of all the achievements in his career, both as a business owner and a member of the Lacey City Council, there is one that stands out for Michael Steadman: the historic accord between the city and the Nisqually Tribe that was signed in 2014. The accord acknowledged mutual interests, partnership, shared history and common goals for the future. “Our names will always be on that plaque, showing these two intergovernmental agencies working together and going after the same dream,” says Steadman. “We’ve come a long way.”

Michael Steadman
As part of the Lacey City Council, Steadman enjoys collaborating with other community groups such as NTPS and the Nisqually Tribe. Photo courtesy: Michael Steadman

Relationships are key to how he functions as a council member and the CEO of Steadman Properties, a commercial leasing company his father started decades ago. “If you establish relationships and foster them, you’re going to have partners that help you get to where you’re going and vice versa,” he says. “When local businesses do well, the whole community does better.”

Steadman and his two brothers grew up renovating buildings “since we could walk,” as he puts it. “My father would buy these old dilapidated buildings, tear the roof off, fix the carpets and find a renter. One became two, two became four and so on. When we graduated from high school, my father sold them and bought commercial properties.”

In Thurston County, those properties include the Cooper Point Public House, Crown Signs, Tacoma Screw’s Olympia location and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission’s local offices. The company focuses on local families, especially if they’re veteran or minority owned, he says. “We try to give a shot to the little guys that wouldn’t normally qualify for a loan.”

Steadman City Council
Steadman won his first term with the Lacey City Council in 2014 and a second in 2018. Photo courtesy: Michael Steadman

Steadman first became interested in the city council around 2008. He’d already been active in a variety of civic and non-profit organizations like Homeless Backpacks, the Hawks Prairie Community Homeowners Association and the Planning Commission, plus serving as secretary for a local wrestling officials group. “I started to notice during the recession that people were disengaging and not getting involved in politics,” he says. He took the opposite approach, running for council and joining the board of the Lacey Chamber of Commerce. He was elected for a first term in 2014 and a second in 2018.

In an unusual move, the council has dual board meetings once a year with several local organizations, including North Thurston Public Schools and the Nisqually Tribe. People from other municipalities are baffled by such collaborations, he notes. “[NTPS Board Chair] Graeme Sackrison will visit other places in the country where the school district doesn’t get along with the city or the business community and the tribes are at odds,” he says. “When we tell people about Lacey, they say, ‘Holy smokes! How did you do that?’ It comes down to relationships again.”

Steadman dad and uncle
Along with his brothers, Steadman learned how to renovate houses “from the time we could walk,” taught by their dad Jim. Photo courtesy: Michael Steadman

Within the council, he appreciates that members are working toward continuous improvement. “We know we’re not perfect, but we strive to be, and if you know of a way to improve something, we’ll talk with you about it,” he says. “The thing I like about Lacey is that everyone embraces that culture.”

He sees his role as providing a voice for small business owners, particularly those in the skilled trades who may not always feel represented. “If there’s a problem, we’ll get down to the root of it and try to fix it so it doesn’t happen to somebody else,” he says. “I’m kind of a liaison, bridging the gap between contractors and community developers.”

Within most communities, small business owners are usually the first place many organizations go when they need funds, he notes. “Everyone leans on businesses to pick up the tab for everything, but what they may not realize is that those same people belong to the service groups that are doing the thing government can’t do. If my company depends on other businesses being successful to the point where they can grow and expand and need commercial property, then they need people to represent them and make good policy for them.”

Steadman Family
Part of his commitment to the area comes from raising his family and locating his business here. “This is home,” says Steadman. Photo courtesy: Michael Steadman

As both a civic leader and the owner of a local business, Steadman believes that getting involved matters. “This is my home,” he says. “It’s where we chose to raise our kids and run our businesses. The decisions we make are going to affect our families, our friends and our neighbors. I want your business to do well, even if we’re in competition. When local businesses do well, and local government does things to improve the quality of life, it’s better for everyone.”

Business owners interested in buying, selling or leasing property are encouraged to contact Michael Steadman and his team by calling 360-790-7947 or 360-493-1484. You can also follow Steadman Properties on Facebook or reach out to Steadman in his role on the Lacey City Council.

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