Small Business

Indian eatery rises from ashes with local, business support

By Hope Belli Tinney, Washington SBDC MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – As Puja and Kummar Sharma watched firefighters battle the blaze destroying their seven-month-old restaurant, they thought it was a sign: Maybe they weren’t meant to own their own restaurant. But their community wasn’t ready to let the only Indian restaurant in Skagit County disappear.

Business advising saves state jobs, aerospace support

By Hope Belli Tinney, Small Business Development Center MOSES LAKE, Wash. – When WWII-era buildings at the Port of Moses Lake needed work in 2013, Sonico, the aircraft parts repair and maintenance business leasing those buildings, was told it would have to depart.

Sept. 17: Field day helps woodland owners care for trees

By Seth Truscott, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences LOPEZ ISLAND, Wash. – Forest and woodland owners will build skills for caring for their trees at the San Juan Islands Forest Owners Field Day, 8:40 a.m.-2:40 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Midnight’s Farm on Lopez Island.

Aug. 5: Open house celebrates small business success

By Hope Belli Tinney, Washington SBDC EVERETT, Wash. – The Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Everett will host an open house 3-4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, at the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County to celebrate the successes of more than 20 Snohomish County business owners and highlight the diverse services available to help […]

Gift shop finds treasure in free business advising

By Hope Belli Tinney, Washington SBDC SEQUIM, Wash. – Theresa Rubens is a third-generation resident of Sequim whose grandchildren attend the same schools she and her husband once did. She knows as much about her community as anyone, but she didn’t know where a visitor could buy a Sequim souvenir. And that, she said, was […]

Extension helps new beekeepers care for vital pollinators

By Seth Truscott, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences SPOKANE, Wash. – Apprentice beekeeper Bethe Bowman never thought she would care so deeply about the humble honey bee. Taking beekeeping classes through Washington State University Extension, she installed two buzzing backyard hives, each containing roughly 30,000 bees, this spring.

Great Clips purchase a great fit for business professor

By Hope Belli Tinney, Washington SBDC TACOMA, Wash. – Kory Brown knows business. In fact, he’s a professor of business at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. Still, when he and his wife, Pam, decided to purchase a Great Clips franchise, they enlisted the help of the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Torklift expands exports with global market research

By Hope Belli Tinney, Washington SBDC SUMNER, Wash. – Torklift International has made hitches, suspension products, steps and more in Washington since 1976 and started building export capacity about 10 years ago. Sales in Australia have been so strong that in 2015 the company opened a warehouse and distribution center in Sydney.