Courtney Freed runs a production company in the Portland area and is a graduate of the PCC SBDC Solo Business Builders program. She is launching a production company that helps solo performers take their show on the road. Her current project is a one-woman show called Mercury Rising.

What is Mercury Rising? It’s a Freddie Mercury jazz tribute show and it celebrates his music. It’s a 1930s cabaret event, and it's super fun! We're doing a tour in the fall of 2018, going to Chicago in October and hopefully Los Angeles in the winter and we'll hopefully do another run of it here in Portland.

Across the country, hundreds of thousands of people participate in American Heart Association (AHA) trainings every year, and many of these courses are available at Portland Community College’s Institute for Health Professionals. These cardiology-focused trainings help nurses, doctors, medics, and even professionals in non-healthcare settings be ready to support or save a life at a moment’s notice. The American Heart Association is the top provider of these trainings in the United States, offering evidence-based strategies that help in a cardiac event.

Dave Amato has been active in the real estate industry for 45+ years and an active Real Estate Broker since 2003. During his 23-year career as a builder/developer his projects added over 200 units of housing to Portland metro market. He has served on the board of directors for the Portland Metropolitan Home builders and currently serves on the Board of the Oregon Association of Realtors. We recently sat down with him to learn more about his course.

Pharmacy technician job prospects continue to represent a success story in the American economy in 2018. Data from 2017 demonstrates there were nearly 80,000 job postings nationwide – with over 1,700 opportunities listed in the Portland-metro region. At PCC’s Institute for Health Professionals, students in the pharmacy technician program enjoy flexible schedules and can become qualified in just six months. 

by Ann Wagoner

Many factors inspire people to detach from outside stressors and embark along the path of an inward search. The need isn’t new, and it’s been explored for over thousands of years by cultures around the world. But, where to begin the journey? 

The ancient teachings of Ayurveda and Yoga are excellent conduits to guide us to deeper understanding. PCC’s Ayurvedic Yoga Health Advisor program combines ancient healing knowledge with contemporary applications about the inner workings of the mind, body and consciousness. When we can find our hearts and minds in a place of deep relaxation and vast awareness, we can discover our true potential and experience remarkable healing.

Gary Calvert is a former Air Force pilot and professional diver, and currently works for Washington County in Hillsboro for its housing authority. He’s lived in the Portland-metro area for over 30-years and has been teaching at Portland Community College for nearly as long, and in various capacities. He recently connected with us to share more about his passion for education and his interest in real estate.

Orientations offered by PCC’s Small Business Development Center (at no cost!) are a great way to learn about the opportunities we offer to help you turn your business idea into action. A typical orientation includes a small group of future entrepreneurs – but may also include sole-proprietors and small business owners seeking to find efficient, practical and effective solutions to common business-related challenges. You’ll leave our 2-hour orientation having identified new resources, and with an action plan to guide your next steps.

There is little that is more "iconic Portland" than owning a coffee shop, but even with all of the competition, Susan Thomas is operating a successful business . . . with a little help from her friends at the PCC SBDC. 

Business description: Coffee Shop
Business start-date: 1994 (Susan purchased the business in May 2014)

What inspired you to start your business?  I’ve always enjoyed working hard and seeing a business grow and evolve. At the time I bought Coffee Time I had been managing for Starbucks and realized that as much as I enjoyed working for a great company, I would rather be putting that energy into building my own business. Coffee Time was only 2 blocks from my house and it was a shop that I had frequented for 2-3 years. I began dreaming of ways to keep its unique vibe but re-build it into something that could sustain Portland’s changing customer base. With the help of a great staff and business partner, we have been able to do that.

After 3 years of planning and preparing, Capital Access Team (CAT Team) client Float North can say, "we did it!"

Float North registered as an LLC in 2015, but it took 3 years to get funding, find a location, design the interior, complete the build out, and install float tanks. On July 21st, 2018 they opened their doors to the public for the first time. Owner, Dana Highfil, says that couldn't have done it without help from the Small Business Development Center's Capital Access Team. Here is their story.

Starting a small business can be a daunting process, and being underprepared can spell disaster. If you’re thinking about starting a business, ask yourself these questions first.