It’s not easy being an artist in Seattle. Similar to food business owners, makers operate within extremely tight profit margins, and “according to a study by Seattle’s Office of Economic Development, warehouse and other small commercial building vacancies are at an all-time low, under 2 percent” (KUOW).
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Client features and profiles of entrepreneurs building, adapting, and growing their businesses with support from Business Impact NW.
Lumpia and Microloans: A Rural Small Business Success
Cristy McFall was born into a big family in a small village in the Philippines. As one of six children, and the only daughter, she was no stranger to hard […]
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Positive Spin: One Year after IMPACT Pitch Win
This time last year Positive Spin Pole Dance Fitness was operating out of a home studio and at capacity. On the hunt for a commercial space, founder Alyssa Taubin kept running into road blocks as many landlords were weary of renting to a pole dance business. Small business ownership comes with a unique set of challenges, but it’s proven to Alyssa what she’s capable of. Thanks to her persistence and the help of a trusted friend and commercial real estate agent for small businesses, Alyssa signed the lease on a studio space in Greenwood, four days before the live IMPACT Pitch competition she was set to compete in.
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Hey Love Cocktail Lounge: “A Love Letter to Portland”
Prior to the civil rights era, over half the country had ordinances prohibiting women from working as bartenders (Supercall). Today over 60% of bartenders are women and while the number of women owning and running bars is still marginal, they are out there and they are making a difference.
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Bowser Beer is Family-Pet Inspired & Family-Operated
Nestled in the intersection of the booming craft beer and pet industries lays Jenny Brown’s non-alcoholic “beer” product for dogs, Bowser Beer. What first began as a pretzel treat she dubbed Bowser Bits, Jenny’s product line grew to include beer to pair with the salty snack, along with Doggie Cigars and Beer Bones.
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