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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Introducing Tui and Henry

Tui Landa, Loan Officer Originally from Thailand, Tui came to the US in 1971. She got her Masters in Business Education and was preparing to attend UC Davis for a PhD when she met her husband and life took her in another direction. Before Business Impact NW, Tui worked in consumer banking and commercial loan
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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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Community in Boxing

“I love having a business, and most days my mind is blown that I get to do this” says Lee Torres, owner of The Boxing Gym West Seattle. Located on the main street of White Center, a neighborhood that desperately needed something different in its commercial district, Lee marvels in the diversity of members of
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From Unemployed to Awesome, Inc.

John Responte, a Marine Corps war Veteran, wanted to open his own business to provide job security to himself and his colleagues.  Working as a personal trainer at large corporate gyms, his job was always in jeopardy.  After the third time that owners closed or sold the gym where he was working, and he and
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Confessions of a Loan Officer, Part 1

I get a lot of the same questions, and they lead me to believe that there are a lot of misconceptions out there about getting money for your business.  These are some of the things I wish people knew before they applied for a loan. First, there is no such thing as hundred percent (100%)
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