"Ron gave me the operating system and the education to be where we are today,"
Kevin Leneker and Katie Leneker-Hynes
NEWCASTLE, Wash. – As sole proprietors of their own businesses in 2016, Kristina and Michael Orille had saved their money for … something. To buy a house? To buy a house that included a spa business where they both could practice their vocations – hers as massage therapist and his as personal trainer? Or perhaps … Read more
TACOMA, Wash.—The Great Recession may have knocked the construction industry on its heels, but architectural firms didn’t escape unscathed either. Architect Jennifer Weddermann left one firm in 2008 in search of more professional challenges just before the recession hit, and then was laid off from two different firms over the next 12 months. That’s when … Read more
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – After working for mid-sized building contractors since the early 2000s, three longtime friends and colleagues were inspired to start a company that focused on building lasting relationships while easing the burdens that inevitably come with construction projects. Saul Whitworth, Kenny Nichol and Elke Stevens started Ethos West Construction, Inc., to extend their … Read more
"“Aziz keeps checking in,” said Molly Golden, co-owner of the Lumberyard food hall in Pullman, of Washington SBDC advisor Aziz Makhani. “He reminds us to stay current on our social media. He brought in friends for a ‘burger tasting,’ they gave us feedback, we made changes and now we track our burger popularity on the computer."
DJ Goldfinger and Molly Golden
SPOKANE, Wash. – Marquez Henderson’s interest in printing began in the mid-1990s when he used desktop publishing and graphic design to help produce his school newspaper. Employed later by a Business Cards Tomorrow printing franchise in Florida, he especially enjoyed the computer technology aspects and completed a software development degree while working. He also enjoyed … Read more
WASHOUGAL, Wash. – Family-owned Green Flush Restrooms builds flush restrooms in efficient, environmentally sound, accessible modules. Over 10 years, father and son Ken and Kyle Earlywine likewise have fashioned the components of good business practice into a company that continued to provide work for its three employees and associated supplier businesses through the Covid-19 pandemic … Read more
RICHLAND, Wash.–Joselyne Hernandez and her father, Jorge Hernandez, started The Black Woodpecker construction company in 2018, a goal Jorge had been working toward for nearly a decade. In the late 1990s and 2000s, Jorge had been a foreman at one of the biggest construction companies in Arizona, but when the recession hit he was out … Read more
"The network of individuals who specialize in helping to build small businesses is truly one of the best kept secrets in WA. These individuals truly care and respond immediately to questions and keep connecting you to others that may further your goals. They are knowledgeable and follow thru as well as assist in staying positive during down times such as Covid. "
Susie Jensen
Grandview—David Ruelas was working in agricultural fields near his home in Sunnyside, following in the footsteps of his parents and older brother, when a door opened and he became an apprentice to a diesel mechanic in Yakima. Within a year, at age 21, he was a lead mechanic at the shop. The 45-minute drive along … Read more
OLYMPIA, Wash.—PCI Pest Control in Olympia has been named the 2020 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Seattle District Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year. Owner Matthew Purcell Sr. started the business in 2007 after retiring from the military, where he spent 20 years in the Active Guard Reserve Program supporting National Guard units in Alaska, … Read more
SPOKANE, Wash. – Family-owned Washington Equipment Manufacturing Company has grown steadily since its founding by John and Karma Rouse in 1989. Son Juston joined at age 20 in 2004, followed by his wife Lisa in 2016. WEMCO built a new facility eight years ago, averaged 84 employees throughout 2021, and, with recent hires, now employs … Read more
