Step 1) outsource low paying positions to temp/service companies. Step 2) pay all employees at least $70k.

This is a tough problem to solve but nice they are trying. Paying a receptionist or cleaning person $70k doesn’t make much sense because it’s way above market rate. But outsourcing to a company paying $11/hour doesn’t fit into the “everybody makes a good amount” message.

I don't know why you were down-voted. Practically every company does 1 these days.

I'd have more respect for a company that says "we pay everyone at least 40k" and doesn't outsource the janitor.

If you have one office location that takes a crew one or two hours to clean per week, why would you have someone on staff to do that?

That's completely irrelevant or disingenuous. Obviously you can prorate an annual wage to Basecamp's advertised hours per year of work.

I would think that most small companies don’t own their own office and are renting space in a building where the building owners contract out cleaning for all of the tenants.

It's irrelevant if market rate is below what you pay, as long as you can afford it; employees won't complain and leave for being overpaid.

The Google masseuse got $millions (in the IPO).

Or you could get the best receptionist and cleaner in the world.