Settlemier's Award Jackets is a Portland staple that's been serving the Pacific Northwest since 1990. In 2022, third generation owner and operator Aaron Settlemier became part of the Advanced Small Business Management cohort through the PCC Small Business Development Center. Throughout the 10-month business training program, Aaron says he and his team have "realized new ways to access capital, revamped our business manuals, developed systems that separate the business from a single person (the owner), and made more precise and professional short-term and long-term goals." This is Aaron's story.

Ashleigh Atwood owns Maid in Portland, a local eco-friendly residential and commercial cleaning service in Portland, Oregon. After being in business for 15 years, Ashleigh enrolled in the 2022 Advanced Small Business Management training program provided by the PCC Small Business Development Center. During her time in the program, Ashleigh has found a renewed sense of passion for her business, while expanding her team and increasing her revenue by 10%!

Becca Schultz started developing her piano pedagogy while still a student at Portland State University. Since then she has helped hundreds of students learn to play and enjoy music, while simultaneously employing multiple musicians as teachers. Her business has grown so much in the past couple of years that they have recently had to move to a newly renovated location with the help of the PCC Small Business Development Center team.  This is her story...

Patrick and Melodie Ethel-King, owners of New Horizons Wellness Services 

New Horizons Wellness Services, for many years existed as Dr. Patrick Ethel-King’s successful mental health private practice.  Starting in 2012, Melodie began to work within the clinic to expand the services provided with a combination of physical and mental health treatments. They have a unique, multidisciplinary wellness approach that includes occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology and counseling, psychological evaluations, social skills development groups, and summer camps. This is their story. 

Hot Mama Salsa's Chilly Oils won a Good Food award in January 2019.

Nikki Guerrero started the Hot Mama Salsa business when she moved to Portland and realized she could not find the fresh Mexican flavors she had grown up with. Nikki participated in the PCC SBDC Advanced Small Business Management program in 2017.  This is her story.