The Olympic Story

Specialties

We’re the Northwest’s original hot tub company. We are one of the top dealers worldwide for Hot Spring Spas, the #1 selling brand in the industry. We pioneered the concept of “try before you buy”. Our showrooms have many hot tubs ready for a test soak prior to making your final decision. Our health & wellness focus is what sets us apart from other hot tub companies! Our Peace of Mind Guarantee, free in-home consultations, terrific service for your tub after you purchase—all these and more make Olympic a smart place to do business.

History

The beginning
Blair Osborn & Alice Cunningham established Olympic Hot Tub in Seattle in 1977. Alice met Blair at a meeting of the World Future Society. Blair was a professor at the University of Washington; Alice worked for the U.S. Department of Labor doing job training. They both wanted to leave bureaucracy behind to start a business together. They chose hot tubs! Why? They both loved soaking and thought everyone should own one.

They knew nothing about business. Consequently, some mistakes happened and they learned along the way. These things helped make them a success: treat every customer with respect; go the extra mile to ensure satisfaction; carry the best products. They started with nothing and emerged into industry leaders with five retail locations and a Service & Outlet Center. They also became the most awards-winning hot tub company in the U.S. with 45% of their business referred to them by customers who love Olympic & their Hot Spring Spas.

The next chapter
After 39 years in the hot tub industry, Blair & Alice looked to a successor to carry on their legacy. Fortunately, they didn’t need to look far. Don Riling, who had worked with the company since May 1995, had long been the prime candidate to take Olympic Hot Tub into the future. Starting out as a part-time marketing & sales support administrator for Alice, Don moved on to the sales floor in their flagship Seattle store just three months later. During his years with Olympic, he became an accessory buyer, store manager, helped with the company’s expansion to the Eastside and the Lacey/Olympia market, became the company’s first sales manager and ultimately took on operations as well before becoming Vice President. Hot Spring credits Don as being one of the biggest advocates for the brand, personally selling nearly 1,600 Hot Spring Spas while working actively on the sales team. Don succeeded Blair & Alice as owner of Olympic in July 2016. His goal: continue to build on the rich Olympic legacy created by Blair & Alice and to maintain a company focused on health, wellness, great service & integrity.

Meet the Business Owner

Words that describe me: passionate, intuitive, great sense of humor, musical
Favorite places: New York City, London, Paris, Spain, and of course Seattle
Favorite things to do: Sing, travel, read, movies, theater, dinner w/friends
Favorite film: The Wizard of Oz
Favorite food: Italian (a weakness for a good carbonara) & caramel
Charities: Seattle Men’s Chorus, Northwest Harvest, Rainier Valley Food Bank
Blog: https://olympichottub.com/blog/
Favorite authors: Edward Rutherford, J.K. Rowling, L. Frank Baum, Ruth Plumly Thompson, John Jakes…too many others to list. I love to read!
Can’t live without: Music, my cat, singing in the Seattle Men’s Chorus, Broadway, travel, fun time with friends
Quote of the moment: “Remember, my sentimental friend: a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others.”—The Wizard to the Tin Woodman in The Wizard of Oz