Tessa Bowdish

Tessa Bowdish is a passionate advocate for rural entrepreneurship and ag-business. A former public school teacher, she transitioned into the business world, bringing with her a wealth of experience from her family’s four-generation farming and ranching background in south-central Washington. In 2024, Tessa joined the Washington SBDC to share her insights and support aspiring entrepreneurs in her rural community.

Since 2017, Tessa has managed the bookkeeping and business systems for her family’s farm, and in 2020, she launched a successful direct-to-consumer marketing campaign to enhance sales and profitability. Her diverse skill set includes consumer and digital marketing, bookkeeping, succession planning, and creating websites and logos. Additionally, Tessa’s talent in photography has further elevated product presentations online, while her experience as a commercial real estate owner has equipped her with valuable insights into property management and investment. Believing that small businesses are the heartbeat of rural communities, Tessa is dedicated to fostering sustainable business practices that improve quality of life for everyone. Along with her husband, Will, and their two young children, she actively participates in her local Grange, embodying her commitment to the agriculture industry,  community engagement, and lifelong learning. Tessa’s curiosity and growth mindset drive her mission to empower rural entrepreneurs and strengthen their local economies.