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Bridging The Gap: Small Business Speed Mentoring

Join us! On November 14th we are hosting a FREE in-person speed mentoring event for Southwest Washingon-based entrepreneurs

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our mission

We invest in communities, uncover breakthrough solutions, and fight for equitable opportunities across the Pacific Northwest.

  • 17,610

    local clients served across our programs

  • $11.3m

    into the local community in loans and grants

  • 80%

    clients from historically underserved communities

  • 2,272

    businesses started or strengthened
Announcing Our Pivot Away From Client Services in the Pacific Northwest
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News and features
man holds product from his skincare line for camera
VeeVee Skincare Shop Offers Products that are Kid Tested, and Father Approved
Justin Bryant Sr. isn’t your typical father. He began whipping body butter to help his two beautiful children with their eczema. Soon after he opened Vee Vee Skincare Shop to sell his products to the public.
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woman, man and their daughter stand a farmers market bootth
10 years later – How Marshall’s Haute Sauce continues its spicy legacy
From social worker to culinary guru, Sarah Marshall (she/her) has created a nationally known hot sauce brand that leverages seasonal produce to showcase the flavors of Oregon one bottle at a time.
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latina woman with a bright smile sits in hair salon chair of business she owns
PAZ Hair Lounge – Nelly Ayala On Building An Inclusive Beauty Salon
From independent contractor to small business owner, Nelly Ayala fulfilled her passion of creating an inclusive beauty salon where clients feel welcome and independent contractors can thrive and earn an equitable rate.
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woman with blonde hair and blue shirt sits on her couch
Chelsea Ingle’s Small Business Makes Adventuring More Accessible
Bridge City Kid, LLC aims to improve families’ - especially children’s - outdoor experiences through sustainable, affordable, and quality goods for all. Chelsea aspires to one day generate profit and donate 100 percent of it to charity
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nonbinary entrepreneur smiles in their booth at a farmers market
Stories from Vancouver – Charlene Ruell of Panache
Charlene Ruell first turned to crafting as solace from depression, anxiety, and work-related trauma. Charlene is now 100% self-employed, selling stylish handmade goods through Panache at the Vancouver Farmers Market and freelancing through Panache Consulting.
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lights hang in a plant shop
Daphne’s Botanicals Blossoms in Downtown Portland
Most afternoons, you can find Daphne Peters in Redux Collective’s shop window, caring for her plants while helping customers find the best foliage for their spaces. From banking to botany, Daphne left her finance career in the concrete jungle that is New York City almost a decade ago.
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What we do

Our programs support up to 2,100 small business owners each year, support successful futures beyond prison, improve services at more than 30 local nonprofits, and fuel under-resourced communities with disaster preparedness knowledge. We operate programs in Portland, Oregon; Vancouver, Washington; Walla Walla, Washington; and the Puget Sound area— where we welcome 2,400+ clients through our doors each year.

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