Launch and Grow Your Business

“Everyone comes to business ownership through their own path – people are either pushed or pulled into entrepreneurship,” says Susan Perreault, Training Manager & Instructor at Business Impact NW and the Washington Women’s Business Center (WWBC). When people are pulled, it’s due to a passion, an opportunity, or a desire for independence or financial security.
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Triplehorn Brewing Company

Triplehorn Brewing Company is a craft microbrewery located in Woodinville, WA. They put it best themselves— “We make beer, and we seem to do a pretty good job. We’re always working to be better than we were yesterday.” Richard and Raymond Nesheim were both employed in construction, but when work shut down in 2007 they
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Editor Consignment

Five days before opening, a sprinkler line broke and flooded the shop. Emily Schikora wasn’t phased- she opened her Ballard boutique Editor Consignment on schedule, without shoes. Having her own space was worth it, “this is my vision” she says “and it came to fruition.” She jokes “the experience cured me of being a perfectionist.”
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Library to Business: Free Resources for Entrepreneurs

Did you know the Seattle Public Library has more to offer than books? Using your free library card, anyone can access research databases, knowledgeable professionals and more to get the information they need when starting a small businesses. As part of our focus on market research this month, we sat down with librarian and SPL liaison
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Bringing Italian Shoes from Dubai to Bellevue

George and Denise Hage have been selling Italian shoes in Bellevue since 2011, but their story begins long before. 27 years ago, George was living in Dubai with his wife and sister who complained about the lack of good shoes available to them. George, who worked in insurance at the time, took this need to
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Cheese Platters and More

An entrepreneur since 1993, Joyce Hosea has plenty of experience as a small business owner. Before her latest venture, Cheese Platters and More, she had a good idea of what she would need to be successful, which brought her to Business Impact NW. The biggest need? Startup capital. As the owner of The Melding Pot
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Transition to Independence: The Madrone School

“I don’t think I could have done it by myself,” says founder & executive director of the Madrone School, Lindsey McGrew. In fact, when she talks about starting the Madrone School -an affordable, specialized alternative to public school for children with autism. Lindsey uses the word “we” a lot, about her team, her family, and
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Madrona Dog Company

“If you’ve never been in business before, you don’t know what you don’t know. Network. Connect with a mentor or coach. Find support: it doesn’t have to be expensive; lots of options are free!” This is the advice of Susan Fondren, owner of Madrona Dog Company. The business is ever evolving, and in a self-proclaimed
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Musicians Setting the Tone for Seattle Travelers

For many musicians, it’s difficult to imagine being able to quit your day job, play music as your full-time gig, and still be able to live in Seattle. But thanks to Gigs4U, that dreams is becoming reality for hundreds of rising and established local musicians in the area. “We’ve paid out over $1 million to
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Something for Everyone

“We feed people – we have something for everyone” says co-founder Amanda Bedell with Phebe Rossi of Nuflours Bakery. Together, Phebe and Amanda pride themselves in serving up a variety of options for every body, from gluten-free to dairy-free, paleo, vegan, soy, corn, peanut –free, and more. You walk in and everything looks delicious, because
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