Alaska Business Art Director Monica Sterchi-Lowman and I have both started buying more cut flowers. Today I bought one small bouquet of carnations and another of mums (I thought they were daisies until I saw the receipt), and I was “arranging” them and making a complete mess on my desk when Monica stepped into my office.

Mopping up water and sweeping leaves into my trash can, I told her that, in recent weeks, if I see a bunch of flowers for $10 or less—and it catches my eye—I just buy it. I used to need a justification to buy flowers, cheap or not, especially for myself.

But on the grand scale of things I spend money on, $10 or so once a week to brighten my morning is worth it. I am worth it. I’m not sure why I ever thought differently. And so is Monica, who it turns out has fallen into the same mindset.

It’s also undoubtedly worth it to the rest of the Alaska Business staff, who reap the benefits of a managing editor and an art director who start their days with a smile.

What brought on the change? I don’t know. I just know, standing in the Carrs floral department one morning on my way to the office, that my perception of value, worth, and how often I should support the cut flower industry shifted.

For some time, we’ve been interested in the idea of shifting perceptions here at Alaska Business, to the point that we were all on the same page when it came to adopting the theme for our annual Top 49ers special section. We’ve been intrigued and impressed by how businesses in Alaska have worked their way through the pandemic to land not back where they were but, in many cases, further ahead by reexamining their options and rethinking possible solutions.

In fact, as we compiled the data for the Top 49ers ranks this year, we fully anticipated an overall drop in revenue and a much lower bottom line than we’ve seen; we were pleasantly surprised to be wrong. Our idea of what the pandemic should have produced was incorrect, and we’re glad to shift our ideas of just how capable Alaskans are of meeting any challenge head-on.

COVID-19 has accelerated the move of many physical activities from the real world to a digital one, from shopping to healthcare. We’re no exception, developing a digital edition that has numerous options for additional, exciting content. But as we inexorably climb onto the digital bandwagon, I think our decision for the October 2021 cover and special section will remain one of my favorites for years to come—it shows off the power of print media, its ongoing strength in expressing and encapsulating a unique voice.

For this month and many beyond, we invite you to look anew at all the potential around us.