[9/22/22] Yesterday, September 21st, the Chamber joined Acts Pharmacy to participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating their 4 year anniversary! Acts Pharmacy is an independent, family-owned pharmacy in Tacoma that provides affordable vaccinations and healthcare services. Read more about Acts Pharmacy and listen to them on the Chamber podcast, Making It in the South Sound, here.
View a photo recap of the event below! [9/20/22] Comadre: A Spanish word meaning "co-mother" ; mothers, grandmothers, sisters, friends, and partners who are part of a woman's circle of support, strength, and love. Komadre Kombucha Taproom on Tacoma's 6th Avenue pays tribute to this idea, as well as its founder's Latina roots, in its name. The "mother" in kombucha is a term commonly given to the disc of cellulose that forms during the fermentation process and is essential to give the fermented tea drink its distinctive tang and sought-after health benefits. Without mothers, there could truly be no kombucha. It's fitting then that Julie Davidson, founder and owner of Komadre Kombucha, is a mother herself—as well as an entrepreneur, mentor, and former CEO. Prior to venturing into the world of Kombucha brewing, Julie worked for many years in the consulting field, running a firm that specialized in leadership development programs for organizations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her hobby of crafting home-brewed kombucha for herself and friends took on new momentum. In a time that brought dark clouds of uncertainty for many small businesses, Julie saw a bright spot of opportunity. She had dreamed of one day starting her own business since childhood. Now seemed like the perfect chance to do just that. Before long, her brewing operation had moved from her kitchen countertops into a storefront in Tacoma's 6th Avenue Business District. Komadre is the first Kombucha Taproom to open in Tacoma, and the only Latina-owned taproom of any kind in Pierce County. Julie credits much of her success to her own comrades, the women in her life who have cheered her on and provided resources, support, and encouragement to follow her dream. Being of Central American and Caribbean heritage, Julie says she was surrounded by strong female presences and matriarchal leaders from a young age in her household and community. Julie hopes to share this spirit of collaboration and community by being a comadre herself to others in need of guidance and support. She states that her biggest value and business practice is "to bring along and uplift other women and people of color/Latinx entrepreneurs. Through Komadre Kombucha, Julie is already accomplishing this goal in many ways. In her time as an entrepreneur, she says that she has realized one of the biggest challenges for small businesses is simply finding a storefront to sell their products and services. To help with this, Komadre has space available in its storefront for other retailers, small businesses, and creators to display and sell their products. In Komadre's tiendita, meaning "little shop," one can find products ranging from handmade earrings, to glassware, to t-shirts. Many of these creations are made and sold by women and Latinx artists, which has the dual benefit of uplifting these entrepreneurs as well as bringing vibrant pops of culture to Komadre's storefront. The cultural exchange and celebration taking place in Komadre are undeniable. Julie casually converses with customers in both English and Spanish, making everyone feel at home inside the taproom. In the near future, Komadre will be partnering with the University of Puget Sound to host a social space for Latinx students to study and relax. The taproom is also planning to host a student concert series. In October, Komadre will be participating in the 6th Avenue Business District's Dia de los Muertos celebration. Looking toward the future, Julie says she would love to see Komadre host more language exchange events and programs where people can practice speaking Spanish while enjoying a refreshing glass of kombucha. Komadre Kombucha is currently sold in retail locations across the South Sound. Julie participated in and graduated from the Pierce County Business Accelerator, which helped get her business off the ground and secure resources. Komadre was also a recipient of support through the Comcast RISE program in 2021. This Member Feature story is part of a series by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to promote stronger connections and increased engagement between the Chamber, its members, and the local business community. Member stories are non-promotional opportunities to share members' business stories with the community. If you are a Chamber member interested in being featured for a story, please contact Digital Marketing Outreach Coordinator Audrey Widner at audreyw@tacomachamber.org
[9/20/22] Last Thursday, September 15th, Chamber representatives, local leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs gathered together at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center for September's Chamber After Hours event. This was an amazing night full of friendly faces, new connections, delicious food, and prizes. Thank you to everyone who came out and made this event such a huge success, and to APCC for hosting this After Hours! View a photo recap of the event below!
[9/13/22] The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce is honored to partner with the City of Tacoma and Comcast to lead the Thrive Tacoma Business Fund, which will provide $150,000 of direct financial support to BIPOC and women-owned small businesses in Tacoma. The point of this fund is to see small businesses recover, survive, and thrive in the face of challenges dealt by the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to affect many local businesses. The Thrive Tacoma Business Fund is part of a larger partnership between Comcast and the City of Tacoma to advance digital equity throughout the South Sound. On Monday, September 12th, Chamber staff including President/CEO Andrea Reay joined Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, representatives from Comcast, members of the Tacoma City Council, as well as many other city leaders and stakeholders at the University of Washington, Tacoma, for a roundtable discussion on digital equity. At this event, participants shared insights on the need for digital access, literacy, and equity for individuals of all ages in Tacoma. Key takeaways included lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic on the importance of hybrid modalities and the continued need for collaboration between organizations as a pathway to success. Following this event, attendees gathered at Downtown Tacoma's Tollefson Plaza for a press conference. Standing alongside Mayor Woodards, Chamber CEO Andrea Reay, local BIPOC entrepreneurs, non-profit organization heads, and other city leaders, representatives from Comcast announced an investment of $300,000 to advance digital equity across the South Sound. $150,000 of this will go directly into the hands of BIPOC and female small business owners through the Thrive Tacoma Business Fund. Funds will also go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the South Puget Sound, the Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainier Region, and TEAM WRK.
This partnership is part of Comcast's Project UP initiative, a $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity and bring new opportunities to tens of millions of people over the next ten years. Applications for the Thrive Tacoma Business Fund open on September 15th, 2022 and will be available to access on the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber website. To be eligible to apply for this fund, businesses must meet a set of criteria including having 15 or fewer employees, being majority-owned by a woman or person of color, having a current Tacoma business license, being physically located within the Tacoma city limits, and being in operation on or before 9/12/22. Stay tuned for updates and apply for the Thrive Tacoma Business Fund on the Chamber website starting 9/15/22. Read a press release from the City of Tacoma on their partnership with Comcast to bring digital equity to the South Sound. [9/6/2022] Last Friday, the Ambassadors Club of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber was treated to a visit to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in celebration of all they do for the Chamber. This visit was also an opportunity to connect closely with a key business in our area. Ambassadors were joined by zoo staff and given a guided tour of the zoo's many animals and exhibits. With help from the expert knowledge of zoo staff, ambassadors were able to ask questions and learn more about the wonderful work that takes place at Pierce County's own zoo and aquarium. Thank you to our ambassadors for all their hard work, and to the Point Defiance Zoo for having us as guests!
[8/29/22] Last Thursday, August 25th, we joined United Signature to celebrate the Grand Opening of their brand new showroom in Tacoma. Guests enjoyed giveaways and delicious refreshments at this great event. Chamber CEO Andrea Reay helped cut the ribbon and officially debut United Signature's new kitchen and bathroom showroom. Thank you to everyone who came out and took part in this amazing event!
[8/22/22] Last Friday, August 19th, the Chamber joined Lash Lady Aesthetics to celebrate their new location in Lakewood and their fourth year in business! Guests enjoyed special discounts on cosmetic services as well as refreshments. Lash Lady Aesthetics is a graduate of the Pierce County Business Accelerator. Thank you to everyone who came out and took part in this great event! View a photo recap of the ribbon-cutting below.
[8/22/22] In the heart of Tacoma's historic Brewery District, brave seafarers with a taste for adventure can find the chance the travel back in time. On their journey, they can expect to encounter fearsome pirates, a kraken or two, and some of Tacoma's most delicious brews. Black Fleet Brewing is a family-owned taproom and kitchen that opened in 2018. Since opening, they have been serving up some of the most exciting local brews in the South Sound. Just this month, they won the People's Choice Award at Tacoma's Brew Five Three annual beer festival for the second year in a row!
This historical gem is just one of many stories and facts the Black Fleet team is happy to share with their customers. In addition to local history, the owners and staff are passionate about representing the best of Tacoma and sharing it with others. Whether you're looking for a local hike or downtown entertainment, the Black Fleet team will have something to recommend. They say that, in a way, they see themselves as ambassadors of Tacoma who get to help people learn to love what's so great about their city. Another passion the team at Black Fleet Brewing has is making local business connections. As a business that opened shortly before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, they had to be creative and think on their feet to make things work. When restaurants and bars had to stay closed for months at a time, Black Fleet continued to brew and sell to customers. Through participating in Tacoma Farmers' Markets, they were able to keep doing what they loved and spread the word about their business to the community. To this day, even though their doors have reopened, Black Fleet continues to be part of the Tacoma Farmers' Market and use it as a chance to make great business connections. Partnering with other local businesses is an important part of Black Fleet's model. From the barley and hops that they use to make their beer to the hot sauce on the tables, they love to source locally at every opportunity. Even the barley, once it is done being used to make beer, is given to local farmers for their cows to eat. And these partnerships don't stop with just ingredients. Black Fleet teams up with local businesses like Dazed and ReUsed, an art studio in Auburn, to bring art and craft workshops to the taproom. They are always looking for new opportunities to bring classes, activities, and events to the brewery. Laura Byce says that Black Fleet Brewery joined the Chamber to stay connected and learn about what's going on in the local business community. They are also always interested in finding more partners to bring on board the Black Fleet. If you run a local business and are interested in teaming up with this fearsome crew, you can email them at info@BlackFleetBrewing.com. The Chamber is excited to have Black Fleet Brewing as one of our members and we can't wait to see what's on tap for them next. This Member Feature story is part of a series by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to promote stronger connections and increased engagement between the Chamber, its members, and the local business community. Member stories are non-promotional opportunities to share members' business stories with the community. If you are a Chamber member interested in being featured for a story, please contact Digital Marketing Outreach Coordinator Audrey Widner at audreyw@tacomachamber.org
[8/22/22] We had a rodeo of a time last Thursday evening at the Washington State Fairgrounds! This Chamber After Hours event was jam-packed with friendly faces, great conversation, giveaway prizes, and, well...jam! (Attendees couldn't get enough of the Fisher Fair Scones.)
When they weren't too busy shoving their faces with delicious fair snacks like popcorn and cotton candy, guests were mixing, mingling, and strengthening business connections all throughout the event. Chamber members were joined by Washington State Fair executives for sneak peeks and updates about what's in store this year at the fair. Kent Hojem, CEO of the Fair for the past 17 years, was in attendance and gave guests an exciting introduction to his successor, Renee McClain, who will become the first female CEO of the fair when Hojem retires at the end of September this year. Attendees were also treated to giveaway prizes including tickets to some of the Fair's upcoming concerts this season, Washington State Fair swag, and even had the chance to meet Miss Cow, one of the Fair's mascots. Thank you to the Washington State Fair for hosting this month's After Hours and to everyone who came out and made this event so special! The Korean Women's Association has been Improving Lives and Bringing People Together for 50 Years8/12/2022
[8/15/22] For the Korean Women's Association, the sky is the limit. They are a non-profit organization that provides services to all of Western Washington. They currently operate 15 offices in 17 counties and employ over 1,500 workers to serve more than 10,000 clients every year. And they're still growing. This year, they are celebrating 50 years of making a difference in the lives of vulnerable immigrants, families, and seniors. Before growing into the organization they are today, however, the Korean Women's Association started off as one woman's idea to bring together other women like herself and find community amongst loneliness. In the early 1970s, Kim Nam Hui was living in Pierce County as a Korean immigrant wife of a U.S. serviceman. Living in an area without a strongly-established Korean cultural presence yet, Kim began hosting gatherings of other Korean wives to share food, stories, and support. Though its beginnings were humble, the Korean Women Association's (KWA) ambitions were not. The group of women soon began providing support services within their community. These included domestic violence counseling, immigration services, and transportation and translation assistance. KWA began its fundraising efforts by selling food to area residents and soliciting donations from local businesses. Soon, however, the group realized that to fully achieve their goals, they would need to do more. In 1979, KWA officially became a non-profit organization. That same year, they received their first grant from the State of Washington. As the organization grew, so did the variety of needs of its clients. Now, KWA offers everything from in-home care to affordable housing; meal assistance to health screenings. KWA provides services to more than 10,000 clients every year. While the organization began as a space for Korean women immigrants, they now serve a diverse group of individuals in need of assistance. KWA's mission is to "provide multi-cultural, multi-lingual human services, regardless of race or ethnic background, to diverse communities through education, socialization, advocacy, and support." These days, one of their biggest areas of support is for seniors. KWA's in-home care program exists to give seniors, as well as individuals with disabilities, the option to age in place and remain independent. In order to accomplish this, KWA employs thousands of professional caregivers to help tend to individuals' needs in daily life. Not only does this improve the lives of the many people it serves, it creates jobs and opportunities that benefit Western Washington communities and the local economy. KWA's domestic violence programs, one of the critical services they have offered from the beginning, are still going strong today and changing lives for countless individuals and families in our community. They operate a 24-hour crisis hotline, intervention and planning assistance, rapid rehousing for survivors, and so much more. In addition to helping intervene in crises, KWA also offers prevention programs including small group workshops and community education presentations. Another big part of KWA's focus is its affordable housing options in communities throughout Western Washington. They currently offer five affordable housing properties in total: three senior housing options and two low-income housing options. These options are life-changing opportunities for community members in need of safe, affordable places to live. KWA's mission to provide affordable housing in the area continues to grow. Just this past May, they received $36 million in funding to develop more housing in downtown Tacoma. As members of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, KWA is also closely connected with the local business community. They have played an important role throughout the COVID-19 pandemic helping small businesses survive and prosper. They were selected by Pierce County Economic Development Services to provide small business navigation services for limited English proficiency Asian American business owners. They have been partners in the ambitious Pierce County Business Accelerator, a program of the Pierce County Economic Development Department administered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. KWA worked with these partners to facilitate cohort 3 of the Pierce County Business Accelerator, which was composed entirely of Asian-American small business owners. This cohort graduated the program in February 2022 and have gone on to do great things in our business community. KWA was awarded the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's Spotlight On Business Award this year in the non-profit category for all the incredible work they do in Pierce County and beyond. The momentum of the Korean Women's Association is something of a marvel. Throughout fifty years of service, they have shown a remarkable ability to adapt to the most pressing needs of underserved and vulnerable groups. It is exciting to imagine, and be a part of, whatever future endeavors they bring to our community. This Member Feature story is part of a series by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to promote stronger connections and increased engagement between the Chamber, its members, and the local business community. Member stories are non-promotional opportunities to share members' business stories with the community. If you are a Chamber member interested in being featured for a story, please contact Digital Marketing Outreach Coordinator Audrey Widner at audreyw@tacomachamber.org
[8/12/22] Last Thursday, August 11th, we celebrated the grand opening of Surge Staffing in Tacoma. View a photo recap of the ribbon-cutting event below!
[8/9/22] Last Tuesday, August 2nd, we celebrated the grand opening of Seattle Credit Union's new Salishan Branch in Tacoma. View a photo recap below!
[8/2/22] Last Thursday, July 28th, we celebrated the grand opening of Link Community Clinic in Tacoma! Link Community Clinic is a graduate of Spaceworks Tacoma's Incubator program and a welcome addition to Tacoma! Following the ribbon-cutting, attendees enjoyed refreshments and raffle prizes courtesy of Link Community Clinic. View a photo recap below!
[8/2/2022] Listen to Wade Stewart share his story of challenges and success with Tech Masters Computer Services on the latest episode of Making It in the South Sound.
"We started, like many businesses do, as a spare room in my house."
Wade Stewart is the founder and managing member of Tech Masters Computer Services, and a living small business success story. Tech Masters is celebrating its 10th year in business this year. Through all that time, Wade has been an active and involved member of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. The story of Tech Masters is one that many small business owners can likely relate to. Soon after its start as a business, Tech Masters experienced exponential growth. According to Wade, this was a good problem to have. Still, it brought with it unique challenges. His initial plan of hiring staff within 18 months was fast tracked to a mere 8 months. In its first year alone, Tech Masters saw 30% quarter over quarter growth. Seeing this rapid business expansion, Wade realized that he needed some help. He credits networking through Chambers like the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber for helping him find a business coach to prepare Tech Masters for success.
"The interesting thing about a business is there's ebbs and flows to it."
Since its founding, Tech Masters has expanded across state lines, and now serves clients in Oregon as well as Washington. Wade speaks to flexibility as a skill that helps Tech Masters be successful in multiple locations. Due to how well-established the business is in Washington, they can leverage some of their existing resources here to help clients in Oregon. The COVID-19 pandemic also led Wade to the realization of how much a business can accomplish remotely. In addition to being a business founder, Wade Stewart is also an author. His book, Personal Retreat, gives advice for feeling burned out that can benefit individuals both personally and professionally. And it's never been more relevant than in these last few years of pandemic turmoil and exhaustion. "If you just have your head down and you're putting flagstones down to get to the house from the sidewalk, if you don't look up, you could end up at the garage instead." Wade's idea of a "personal retreat" is a concept to help individuals take a break from being burned out and re-center on their true goals and ambitions. You can learn more about his book and the personal retreat concept here. Learn more about Tech Masters Computer Services here.
This Member Feature story is part of a series by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to promote stronger connections and increased engagement between the Chamber, its members, and the local business community. Member stories are non-promotional opportunities to share members' business stories with the community. If you are a Chamber member interested in being featured for a story, please contact Digital Marketing Outreach Coordinator Audrey Widner at audreyw@tacomachamber.org
[7/25/22] Last Thursday, July 25th, we joined Symmetry Financial at their Tacoma office to celebrate their grand opening! Chamber CEO Andrea Reay attended and helped cut the ribbon for their grand opening ceremony. Following the ribbon-cutting, Symmetry Financial hosted July's Chamber After Hours event inside their office where attendees enjoyed food and drinks, giveaway prizes, and cornhole. This was such a fun event and great opportunity to network with the Chamber community. Thank you to everyone who attended and made this event possible! View a photo recap below!
[7/19/22] Last Thursday, July 14th, Chamber CEO Andrea Reay and other staff joined DiscoveryMD in Tacoma to celebrate their opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. View photos from the event below!
[7/19/22] In this day and age, locally-owned pharmacies are a pretty rare find. For Wilbur and Jazel Bautista, however, owning and managing an independent pharmacy right here in Pierce County is part of daily life.
Together, they run Acts Pharmacy and Healthcare Services located in Tacoma. Their small business is one of the only independent pharmacies currently operating in the South Sound. The two, who are also husband and wife, started the business on a leap of faith in 2018. Both have backgrounds in the medical field: Wilbur is a medical technologist and Jazel a pharmacist. Prior to creating Acts pharmacy, Wilbur was working at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in the pathology department, where he learned about diseases and illness. Jazel worked at Walgreens, which helped her learn the ins and outs to what it takes to successfully run a pharmacy. Their experiences in these roles were positive, but the two felt a calling to personally do more for their community and provide a type of care that is difficult to achieve working for larger companies and organizations. Their shared passion became a shared vision when they decided to strike out on their own and open Acts Pharmacy in 2018.
Listen to the Wilbur and Jazel as guests on Making It in the South Sound to learn more about their business story and what's next for Acts Pharmacy and Healthcare Services.
"We just decided to think about an avenue that we both can share our passion...working in the medical field and at the same time helping the community."
Acts Pharmacy and Healthcare Services has now been in business for 4 years, a huge accomplishment for Jazel and Wilbur. It hasn't always been easy though. Like with many small businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic was an unexpected challenge Acts had to face. In the beginning, before vaccinations were available, the pandemic was taking a toll on business at the pharmacy. Rather than giving up, Jazel and Wilbur acted as savvy business owners and met the moment with unique solutions. They ramped up their local delivery services, found a local seamstress to create masks for the business, and even formulated their own pharmaceutical grade hand sanitizer.
"We really had to think out of the box and be able to to serve the community as a whole during those times. Knowing that vaccinations were coming, we were able to prepare."
In order to be prepared for the eventual vaccine rollout, Jazel and Wilbur made connections with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Through a partnership with the Health Department, they were able to set up Acts Pharmacy as a COVID-19 vaccine location. They were one of the first and few locations in Pierce County to join with the Health Department in this venture. In addition to providing vaccines at the pharmacy itself, they took Acts to the community with visits to churches, schools, and family homes. They say this ability to be flexible is one of the many benefits of having a small, independent pharmacy.
Beyond COVID-19, Acts Pharmacy has continued to expand and grow. Since 2018, the staff has grown nearly double from 3 to 6 employees. They have recently launched an HIV PReP clinic in partnership with the Washington Department of Health to provide access to services that help prevent HIV infection in vulnerable communities. In addition to vaccines, Acts offers other medical services including lab tests, compression sock fitting, and medication management. They also have a retail area within the pharmacy where patients and customers can purchase healthcare essentials.
Last month, Acts Pharmacy and Healthcare Services were awarded the 2022 Spotlight on Business Award for Resiliency in Business. This award was given to them to celebrate the hard work and perseverance Wilbur and Jazel have shown in making their pharmacy a community-centered gem in local healthcare. The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber is honored to have Acts Pharmacy as a member of our business community and we can't wait to see what they do next.
Learn more about Acts Pharmacy on their website.
This Member Feature story is part of a series by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to promote stronger connections and increased engagement between the Chamber, its members, and the local business community. Member stories are non-promotional opportunities to share members' business stories with the community. If you are a Chamber member interested in being featured for a story, please contact Digital Marketing Outreach Coordinator Audrey Widner at audreyw@tacomachamber.org
[7/11/22] Last Friday, July 8th, Chamber staff including CEO Andrea Reay joined the Washington State Department of Transportation to break ground on the SR 167 Completion Project. This project is part of the Puget Sound Gateway Program, which also includes a completion project for SR 509 in King County and has the goal to "complete two major unfinished highways in the Puget Sound region to create new connections to Interstate 5, the ports of Tacoma and Seattle and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport," according to WSDOT. The SR 167 Completion Project will, among other things, create 6 new miles of highway between Puyallup and the Port of Tacoma. According to WSDOT, "Completing this unfinished highway will greatly benefit the movement of freight, improve safety and reduce congestion on local roads and highways in the surrounding area." Chamber CEO Andrea Reay was among the distinguished guests who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony. She celebrated the achievement of the project in her remarks, stating: "This project is a regional success and collective win for all in our region. Here in the South Sound, we are the makers and the movers for the State of Washington. Our economic ecosystem depends on our ability to swiftly and predictably move people and goods throughout the Puget Sound. Today marks not only a key milestone in our ability to strengthen and secure accessibility for our multi-modal transportation and logistics infrastructure, but access and equitable economic development as well—with a projected workforce impact of 80,000 jobs. Both directly and indirectly, this increase in family-wage jobs can and will be part of building generational wealth for our community here in the South Sound." Hear Andrea's full remarks from the event. Other speakers at the ceremony included WSDOT Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar, Senior Transportation Policy Advisor for Governor Jay Inslee Debbie Driver, Washington State Representative Jake Fey, Washington State Senator Marko Liias, Fife City Councilmember Pat Hulcey, Port of Tacoma Commissioner Dick Marzano, and Senior Vice President for Atkinson Construction Bob Adams. Following the speakers, guests in attendance were invited to help pot native plants and trees that will be included in the Riparian Restoration Program, a major component of the SR 167 Completion Project that will benefit the environment. When complete, the project will have created a new 2-mile expressway between I-5 and SR 509 near the Port of Tacoma,
a shared-use path parallel to the highway for non-motorized travel (walking, bicycling, etc.) between I-5 and SR 509 near Tacoma, a diverging diamond interchange over I-5 in Fife that will connect the new SR 167 to I-5, and approximately 150 acres of wetland, stream and environmental restoration that will improve native fish runs and encourage the return of wildlife to the area. Benefits of the project include improved freight connections, better regional mobility, increased multimodal connections, environmental enhancements, updates in intelligent transportation, and regional job and economic growth. Learn more about the SR 167 Completion Project and the Puget Sound Gateway Program from the Washington State Department of Transportation in this article and project overview. [6/21/22] The 2022 Spotlight on Business Awards winners were announced and honored at the Chamber's Happy Hour Business Expo last Thursday, June 16th. Congratulations to all the incredible businesses and organizations who won and those that were nominated! Non-profit Organization: Korean Women's Association Small Business: Velvet's Big Easy Medium Business: The Doty Group Large Business: First Citizens Bank Minority-Owned Business: BIMA Services Veteran-Owned Business: Catffeinated Business Supporter of the Military: NineLine Veteran Services Resiliency in Business: Acts Pharmacy
[6/21/22] Last Thursday evening, June 16th, over 400 attendees walked through the doors of the Waterfront Venue to attend the Chamber's annual Happy Hour Business Expo.
This year's event was a stunning success that saw local business owners, community leaders, vendors, caterers, and partners come together to create an unforgettable evening. There were giveaways, prizes, games, food and drinks, and a novelty photo booth. This event was a great way to network with partners and socialize with friends. The winners of the 2022 Spotlight on Business Awards were also announced at the event. Relive the evening with the photo gallery below. We can't wait to see everyone again at next year's Expo! [6/21/22] “All that you touch You Change. All that you Change Changes you. The only lasting truth Is Change,” This quote from Octavia Butler’s novel Parable of the Sower, Parable’s namesake, reflects much of the space’s philosophy. Parable started as an idea between three family members. Le’Ecia Farmer, LaKecia Farmer, and Deatria Williams are sisters and cousins who co-own and operate the space in Tacoma’s McKinley Hill neighborhood. Parable is Black-owned, woman-owned, lgbtq-owned, family-owned, and community-owned. The three had always wanted to start a business together. Walking around in the McKinley Hill neighborhood where they live, they were inspired by a retail space available for rent. “We passed by the windows of the empty space day after day and allowed ourselves to dream. We envisioned neighborhood youth popping in and out for a story circle. We could see people singing, dancing, and sharing stories over a warm cup of tea. We imagined elders resting in a big comfy chair with an old book.” Originally, each had their own idea of what the venture should be. They looked around their community and saw many different needs. Neighborhood youth needed a place to hang out without having to worry about spending money. Diverse small businesses and entrepreneurs needed a space to stock and sell their goods. Families needed somewhere kid-friendly to bring their children to experience the outside world. Artists and teachers needed a space to host workshops and events for the community. The neighborhood needed a space to come together to share stories and grow with each others’ knowledge. With all these different needs, the co-owners eventually decided: why not just incorporate them all? And so Parable was born. Well, not entirely yet. The three co-owners leading this ambitious project faced the unique challenge of starting a business during the middle of a pandemic. However, rather than be disheartened by the struggles of COVID-19, the family members were inspired by many of the issues and disparities that this global crisis highlighted. “In the midst of racial and health pandemics - opening a business seemed risky but also imaginative timing. The more we thought about it, the more we remembered all of the exploratory solutions that arose during times that felt chaotic and unjust.” They pushed forward in their mission to build a community space “that could offer events and products that affirm the members of the diverse neighborhood in the Mckinley Hill area and beyond.” They worked to bring this space into reality throughout the pandemic by holding fundraisers, collecting books, and selling at local markets and online. They also participated in the Pierce County Busines Accelerator program through Pierce County administered by the Tacoma-Pierce Chamber and were able to fundraise through a Kiva small business loan with the help of Spaceworks Tacoma. During the midst of the pandemic, the three owners delivered books and plants all over Tacoma, every bit of work going towards making their dream a reality. Then, finally, on August 21st, 2021, Parable officially opened its doors. Since its opening, Parable has received a positive reception in the McKinley Hill neighborhood and been embraced by the community. It has hosted food pop-ups, open mics, educational events, workshops, storytimes for children, and more. With tea, books, chess and checkers, Parable looks to be accomplishing its goal of providing a calm, affirming space for people to simply hang out. The retail side of the businesses seems to be thriving as well. While the owners curate some aspects of Parable such as the books, when it comes to retail, they have a tendency to welcome everyone with open arms. Such was the case when a group of 11-year-olds asked if they could sell their handmade potholders in the space. You can now find the potholders on sale alongside Parable’s other goods like records, apparel, plants, and jewelry. This ties into a goal the owners have to make partnerships less intimidating for creators and entrepreneurs just starting off. In regard to style, the owners embrace maximalism most of all. They are interested in curating an environment that reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the community and prioritizes Black and minority creators, women, and members of the LGBT+ community. As graduates of the Pierce County Business Accelerator program, they have also formed partnerships with other program grads including minority-owned businesses Civic Roasters and Jan Parker Cookery. Both of these small businesses have already hosted pop-up events at Parable. At the end of the day, however, Parable’s heart is still its events and programs. In addition to giving other small businesses a space to sell, the eclectic retail offerings help Parable pay its bills and grow future program opportunities. The vast majority of Parable’s events and workshops are free and the owners want to keep it that way. In the future, they hope to fund more programs through grants and fundraising. They also hope to get more older youth engaged in what Parable has to offer. If you’re in the McKinley Hill neighborhood, make sure to stop by Parable. Enjoy a cup of tea, buy a book or record, or simply pause for a moment in an armchair in this affirming community space. Make sure you say hello to the store’s parakeets, Angelou and Morrison, while you’re there. This Member Feature story is part of a series by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to promote stronger connections and increased engagement between the Chamber, its members, and the local business community. Member stories are non-promotional opportunities to share members' business stories with the community. If you are a Chamber member interested in being featured for a story, please contact Digital Marketing Outreach Coordinator Audrey Widner at audreyw@tacomachamber.org
[6/6/2022] Tacoma is famous for its beautiful waterfront but, shockingly, around 90% of students in Tacoma public schools don’t have access to experience the waters of the Puget Sound. That’s something Monique Valenzuela, Executive Director of the Tacoma Youth Marine Foundation, wants to change.
Listen to Tacoma Youth Marine Foundation Executive Director and CEO Monique Valenzuela talk about YMF, developing leaders of the future, and her experience being involved with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber on this episode of Making It in the South Sound.
The Tacoma Youth Marine Foundation is a nonprofit organization that operates the Tacoma Youth Marine Center on the east side of the Foss Waterway. Formed in 1991, the Youth Marine Center serves as “a place for youth to touch the Sound.” The center’s campus houses classrooms, dock space, a boat repair shop, a fuel station, and a fleet of 24+ vessels that youth can use to experience being on the water.
Youth access to marine experiences is about so much more than the fun of being on a boat. In Monique’s view, it’s a unique way to build leadership, business skills, and responsibility. How does the Youth Marine Foundation achieve its mission of “empowering youth to navigate their future?” It starts with partnerships with the Tacoma Sea Scouts, local schools, and organizations like Metro Parks Tacoma.
The Sea Scouts, which has been operating in Tacoma since 1923, is a training program where kids can get involved in learning about, sailing, and maintaining maritime vessels. The Youth Marine Center is home to Tacoma’s Sea Scout Base and provides the group with classroom space, dock usage, and use of their fleet of vessels. This program, which is co-ed and open to youth as young as 13, teaches kids how to operate and maintain vessels year-round through active boating experience in the waters around Tacoma. In addition to practical skills, being in the Sea Scouts helps kids learn leadership skills, practice conflict resolution, and take pride in their hard work. For many kids, participating in the Sea Scouts can also put them on a path to their future careers. Many former Sea Scouts go on to have jobs in naval architecture, ports, merchant marines operations, the military and Coast Guard, and other maritime-related fields.
The lessons of being a Sea Scout are just the beginning of the learning experiences that take place at the Youth Marine Center. For high schoolers at Tacoma School of the Arts (SOTA) the center is likely a familiar location, as it serves as the home of their science classroom. That’s right: instead of learning science in a traditional classroom, SOTA students are taught science lessons a few days a week at the only public high school classroom on the Foss Waterway. Not only that, but the center provides chartered vessels to take students on marine science cruises throughout the school year that gives them an opportunity to conduct hands-on research as part of their learning. The Tacoma Science and Math Institute High School and School of Industrial Design, Engineering and Art also have strong collaborations with the center that offer public school students unique opportunities to learn outside of four walls.
For youth who aren’t part of the Sea Scouts or students with the schools listed above, there are still even more opportunities to experience what the Youth Marine Center has to offer. Every summer, YMF partners with Metro Parks Tacoma for a “Sails and Trails Summer Camp.” They provide vessels, staff, and the Center’s campus for education and activities to this popular camp that sells out every year. The camp also opens up opportunities for Sea Scouts by employing them to be instructors and provide vessel maintenance.
It’s clear that in addition to their goal of helping youth access the waters of the Sound, YMF is doing much more than that: they are empowering youth to navigate their futures. A big part of that comes in the form of connections to local commerce.
While YMF is a nonprofit organization, it also houses two businesses on its campus. One of these is a fuel dock that private boats and emergency vessels can use. The other is Commencement Bay Marine Services, a full-service marine vessel repair and boat parts company. Proceeds from both of these businesses benefit the programs of YMF. A direct way the Foundation is developing future South Sound business leaders is through the opportunities these on-campus businesses provide. High schoolers interested in mechanics can take part in internships with hands-on learning in the vessel repair shop. Sea Scouts can gain job experience through employment at the Sails and Trails Summer Camp. For young adults interested in careers in mechanics and marine services, the boat repair shop and fuel dock offer entry-level job opportunities in skilled trades. Even for youth who don’t plan on pursuing careers related to the marine industry, the programs at YMF teach critical skills for future success. Hard work, leadership, collaboration, responsibility, problem-solving, and conflict resolution are just some of the many skills youth learn through YMF’s programs that will give them advantages in any future career field. Kids who participate in YMF-supported programs —whether it be the Sea Scouts, science classes, or summer camps—may go on to become future small business owners, CEOs, elected officials, scientists, teachers, and more. And when they do, it will be thanks in no small part to the lessons they learned on a boat on the Foss Waterway.
This Member Feature story is part of a series by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to promote stronger connections and increased engagement between the Chamber, its members, and the local business community. Member stories are non-promotional opportunities to share members' business stories with the community. If you are a Chamber member interested in being featured for a story, please contact Digital Marketing Outreach Coordinator Audrey Widner at audreyw@tacomachamber.org
[05/31/2022] This April, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber traveled to the nation’s capital with a delegation of local leaders as part of the 36th annual Washington to Washington, D.C. trip. This year was a unique opportunity featuring not one but two Chamber CEOs in attendance: outgoing CEO Tom Pierson and new CEO Andrea Reay. They were accompanied by a diverse delegation of leaders from different sectors of local commerce ranging from elected officials, business owners, NGO representatives, and labor leaders.
The mission of this yearly trip is to share and discuss business and community interests here in the South Sound with government representatives in Washington, D.C. Those who lead the trip see it not as a one-time discussion, but as an ongoing conversation to achieve common goals. This year’s delegation participated in discussions on healthcare, defense, infrastructure, green energy, maritime industries, the importance of bipartisan compromise, and much more. Listen to this special episode of Making it in the South Sound to hear Chamber CEO Andrea Reay talk with Tim Thompson from the Chamber’s federal advocacy partner Thompson Consulting Group to recap the 2022 trip, talk about the history and importance of this event, and share how Chamber members can get involved as part of future delegations.
View photos from the 2022 Washington-to-Washington, D.C. trip in the gallery below.
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