Associations of Azeroth: Harboson Company, Investing in Others for Success
Tucked into a corner on the canal side of the Trade District is the Medical Supply store “The Vital Spice” owned and operated by Harboson Company. The Royal Courier spent some time with the owner Elstine Harboson and members of his organization to learn more about the growing business that is looking to aid with economic growth throughout the Alliance.
Entering The Vital Spice, one can see the meticulous care and detail put into organizing and maintaining the medical supply shop. The store itself is covered in plants hanging from the ceiling in various stages of the drying process - the air being influenced by the sage, mint, thyme, basil, and dozens of other herbs and flowers. The counter wielding small boxes, opened to reveal different quality bandages and medical supplies. Operated by three of Harboson Company’s employees, the store open on Saturday evenings selling and taking orders for supplies from individuals and other organizations.
Employing approximately twenty-five individuals, Harboson Company is more than just the proprietor of a shop. The company is a legal fighting force for hire, contracting out to any who wish the support of their elite team. In addition to the contract work, Harboson Company is an investment and trading organization. They look for business opportunities to help support and grow the Alliance economy. Owner Elstine Harboson detailed their interest in investment as looking for opportunities to support new or struggling businesses. “Someone that is just interested in owning their own business, or just wants to sell products. We’re very liberal and freeing; our newest client for example only provides us with ten percent of their income and some various trading restrictions when and where necessary; otherwise the store is theirs and we just help promote them and better their business.”
The well-structured family-owned company has both a merchant and soldier branch, with individuals encouraged to develop in their own skills and follow the path suited best for their interests. “The Soldiering Branch is fairly standard, a Bloodsworn acts as a General of sorts, below that is the Captains of a squad, and within that squad are members of the professional paid soldiers. – On the other spectrum we have the Viceroy who’s one simple purpose is to keep the coin flowing and expanding. Below that we have the store owners, merchants, entrepreneurs and so forth - then their employees,” Harboson explained.
Moving up within the organization is based on merit, as Mr. Harboson explained, “We promote based on ambition and willingness to better oneself, learn, and of course lead. Everyone we have in a leadership position has been with us for a long time and served in the field - battlefield or otherwise. I can’t say we really have a checklist; it’s more we present the need for ‘blank’ position to be filled and see who steps up; we don’t hold hands.”
The individuals best suited to working with the company are those who are not only hard workers but also, as Mr. Harboson described “ambitious, curious - rather than loyal, and dormant. Our end goal is to create leaders that in turn expand the business - we do well when our employees do well. So they need to have a desire to grow and better themselves, really just that burning passion to be something more.”
New employees are given a trial period to find their way within the organization. Once the trial is successfully passed, the individual is given the Harboson Contract to cement their employment within the organization, “The contract is there in favor of the employee rather than the employer; we provided monthly pay, plus a signing bonus to last you to the first pay check. Training for the work place was given for free, health insurance to pay for any medical bills within reason and that happened in service, and then of course life insurance that provided a severance pay to your family should the worse come. As we’ve grown and adapted into much more than just a Company that works primarily with professional mercenaries however, we’ve looked recently to editing the contract with updated terms.”
Joining in the discussion were Elstine’s wife Scassira, Varro Balisteri and Jarisleif, members of the Soldiering branch, and Ms. Caeliam Flamboisia. Each of the members described an organization that was professional, yet full of camaraderie that gives each of them a sense of purpose larger than themselves.
Scassira shared her thoughts on the organization, “Best, I would say is the way we do approach the other organizations such as the Guard or the like. Offering donations of product, securing business trades and deals. Ensuring our military is supplied and well nourished with medicinal items. It is a feel-good thing, I would say. As for worst, the chaos that can accompany such things as securing those deals. That includes many meetings and a long paper trail, but none of which cannot be managed. Simply tedious work, you see.“
Caeliam Flamboisia who joined the company in late January spoke of her role and her thoughts in a kind voice that reiterated her words, “I help the other when they need help of a mage for anything… and because I did want to be stronger for everyone. The best part is to work with a nice company, I must say that we do have many good person here and kind people.”
Jarisleif, another longer term member and main herald for the shop, complained good-naturedly about the lack of permission to swear but that it was made up for in his opportunities to bash heads when an employee was in trouble, “ I usually just clobber things and yell in the streets to keep people coming in the shop. Best part is that Employees always get in trouble somehow so you always have an excuse to fight. Worst part is that I cannot swear whenever I want.”
Varro Balisteri, a new member, shared his specialty and his thoughts on being a part of the company, “I have a heavy hammer that tends to land on the heads of those that disrupt business ordeals. I am looking forward to my signing-on bonus. The worst bits would be…we have an -awful- time ‘camping.'”
While not all the employees were available, the sense of the spirit of the organization could be felt in the room as we spoke for more than an hour. A strong proponent of working hard and achieving your potential, Harboson Company is an organization serving all of the Alliance with integrity and honor. Stop by the shop next Wednesday evening for your medical supply needs and if you’re interested in a job, speak with one of the employees for your opportunity!
(OOC: The group is focused on realistic roleplay. A lore friendly, and heavy roleplay guild, Harboson Company does not discriminate on roleplay experience. Elstine expressed his passion for helping new roleplayers “I also really want to stress a huge passion of mine is working with new RPers; so you don’t necessarily have to be highly skilled to join; I’ve also taught several ESL folks, like Deccius the Brazilian; and of course. I’ve helped Cae out a little too - she’s French, but I’ve dozens of RP students, a few in the guild with us.”
Caeliam a non-native English speaker reiterated that love of the guild and its guild leader, “El is a really good teacher and I have improve a lot with him helping me!”
Elstine shared what he looks for with new members “I’m very particular with my members; we do very extensive interviews OOCly - personally I think it’s way more important to have decent people OOCly than anything else. We want a family in guild, we wall want to be close, and to have a good time - and I think we have that, especially now. I think we’re all really inclusive, open-minded, but also willing to work; a guild is a lot of work especially a decent one - it can’t be a free ride for everyone. Some things have to be done. In short: patient, ambitious/self-starter, eager, friendly, not vindictive/egotistical.”
Varro added, “I think the major attraction to this guild is the change of pace it provides from the typical 'mercenary’ guild.”
Elstine was thoughtful about the type of roleplay that is important to him, “I think it’s important, and I try to stress it a lot that a lot of people can take it as… Elitism with our style of RP; and to a degree there are plenty of groups that do kinda turn their noses up. We try to act different in that as mentioned, we help new roleplayers out where we can, and try to offer assistance and just generally be welcoming to new folks on the server; it’s our community, our neighborhood - we need to take care of it, not try to scare people out. really that’s kinda our selling point; I think to most of these guys they were looking for that intense, realistic/logical combat, or that non-handholding feeling on the business side. We really want you to go out and take a dive into things, learn things, and expand not only as a character but OOCly. – I think the combat is a big draw for people though, as well as the general theme and I’d say… Extremism of the guild when it comes to business. Like, we have a legit document for the employee contracts, and business contracts - we have an orientation guide for new members that acts like an orientation guide that you’d get on your first day of work.”
Scassira added, “I have been told the 'selling point’ for us is the immersive feel and realism by several people.”
Varro spoke of his experiences, while still new on this particular character, he had been a member previously and rejoined when he found a character that fit better within the structure of Harboson Company, “Well. As Elstine said earlier, there is an emphasis on realism. At least to a degree. That on top of the actual business that is being run in the background? It’s nice. Most guilds usually hire 'mercenaries’ to beat people up in taverns and get drunk. There is an air of professionalism to Harboson.”
Elstine added, “I think the dedication of the leadership helps out alot too; so many guilds just roll over that have good ideas and concepts, but the leadership isn’t there. We’ve tried and tested leaders, I’ve been leading guilds since BC - and all our leaders have been in leadership positions, or are just hard workers.”
The members of Harboson Company were such a pleasure to speak with. Thank you to the members who participated. If you are looking for guild focused on realistic roleplay reach out to Elstine, Scassira or Tideguard to talk about how you could fit.)
@harboson-c @scassira-harboson
