By Hope Belli Tinney, Washington SBDC
TWISP, Wash. – When fire came to the Methow Valley in July 2014, the difference between essential and non-essential became startlingly clear. Very quickly, Dwain and Erika Hutson realized that it was essential to keep their NAPA Auto Parts store open.
For the owners of some local businesses, making money is not their main motivation.
For three WSU employees, the primary goal is to provide what they believe their community needs.
For example, Wendy Peterson and her partners thought a family-oriented activity center was Pullman’s unfulfilledneed.
“Our group met through bowling at the old Leisure Lanes,” said Peterson, director of admissions. “We thought we needed a place where families could do stuff together, year-round, and everyone in the community could be comfortable.”
Ties to WSU
They brainstormed, market-tested and … » More …