Small Business

Puyallup entrepreneur transforms unemployment into sweet cheesecake success

By Hope Belli Tinney, Washington SBDC PUYALLUP, Wash. – When Danelle Hillman found herself unemployed with a young daughter to support and another mortgage payment due, she cried for a week, then put her faith in God and a 20-year-old cheesecake recipe.

Banking, marketing experts join SBDC in Puget Sound area

By Hope Belli Tinney, Washington SBDC TACOMA, Wash. – Taryn Hornby, a former executive in the banking industry, has joined the Washington Small Business Development Center at Green River College to provide one-to-one, confidential, no-cost advising to entrepreneurs who want to start, grow or transition a business.

Experienced employee grabs reins as owner with SBDC support

By Hope Belli Tinney, Washington Small Business Development Center EVERETT, Wash. – Carrie deKubber has held just about every position at Bob’s Burgers and Brew over the past 20 years, but thanks to the Washington Small Business Development Center, she added a new title this year — owner.

Beer-themed bakery grows with upcycled grains

By Hope Belli Tinney, Washington SBDC RENTON, Wash. – When Marley Shain Rall wanted to open a retail store to sell beer-themed baked goods, she decided to run her idea past an expert advisor at the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) who was encouraging – and skeptical.

Yoga business grows, flexes to deliver corporate classes

By Hope Belli Tinney, Washington SBDC FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – When successful small business Three Trees Yoga determined to offer classes in the workplace, it needed to learn how to attract companies, rather than individuals, as clients. An ongoing relationship with the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provided support the expanding yoga business could […]

Fruit, nut exporter connects U.S. farms, China markets

By Hope Belli Tinney, Washington SBDC TACOMA, Wash. – Farm Breeze International, a specialty crop export company headquartered in Tacoma, did $7.5 million in revenue in its first year selling tree nuts and fruit concentrate to China. In its second year, 2016, it shipped 15 million pounds of tree nuts and revenue more than tripled.

Business advisor connection sparks electrical service success

By Hope Belli Tinney, Washington SBDC YAKIMA, Wash. – When Rod Cassel met Yakima business advisor Linda Johnson, he was looking for a lifeline. After several decades as general manager at a large, well-established electrical service company, the family-owned business reorganized and he was out of a job.