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Small Business Success Story: Artichoke Consulting, LLC

Posted by PCC Small Business Development Center on March 30, 2023

In 2021, Michael Brandwein founded Artichoke Consulting, LLC after a decade of working in the IT consulting industry. At the same time, Michael came to the PCC SBDC looking for assistance with business planning and goal-setting and began participating in business advising sessions with Kim Allchurch-Flick and other SBDC advisors. Now, he and his team work hard to help businesses successfully implement Salesforce and other IT program management projects, allowing them to operate and grow more efficiently! This is Michael's story. 

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Topics: Small Business, Business Profiles, Business, Starting a Business, Growing a Business, business builders, Business Design Series

Small Business Success Story: The Blind Kitchen

Posted by PCC Small Business Development Center on March 20, 2023

Debra Erickson came to the PCC SBDC for help in turning her business idea into reality. Now, Debra welcomes you into The Blind Kitchen community: where vision loss does not have to end your love of cooking! With 62 adaptive kitchen tools and a library of helpful strategies and specialized knowledge, The Blind Kitchen allows blind and vision-impaired people to cook safely, confidently, and independently. This is Debra's story. 

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Topics: Small Business, Business Profiles, Business, Starting a Business, Growing a Business, business builders, Business Design Series

Client Success Story: YA Vending Services, LLC

Posted by PCC Small Business Development Center on February 23, 2023

Yolanda Holmes came to the PCC SBDC for help in developing her business idea. Since then, she's participated in the Business Design Series and Business Builders training programs, while working directly with her small business advisor Jackie B. Peterson. Now, after the launch of her first location and obtainment of Women-owned, Minority-owned, and Emerging Small Business Certifications, she's ready to expand her vending business! This is her story. 

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Topics: Small Business, Business Profiles, Business, Starting a Business, Growing a Business, business builders, Business Design Series

Client Success Story: Red Castle Games Cafe

Posted by PCC Small Business Development Center on January 05, 2023

Red Castle Games is a Portland-based board and card game store that's been serving the city for over 10 years! Now, Red Castle games is offering it's regulars and new customers food and drink for a full gaming experience! Amanda, Red Castle Games Cafe manager, and Matthew, the business' founder and owner, participated in PCC SBDC's Restaurant Business Builders training program in 2022. Since then, Red Castle Games Cafe has opened its doors and hired 7 employees! Watch the video below to hear Amanda share more about her experience working with the PCC SBDC and launching Red Castle Games Cafe.

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Topics: Small Business, Business Profiles, Business, Growing a Business, Restaurants, business builders

Client Success Story: Music We Remember

Posted by PCC Small Business Development Center on December 14, 2022

Music We Remember brings live, interactive musical experience to seniors around Oregon, engaging minds and hearts with memorable melodies and unforgettable songs! Founder John Van Beek started working with the PCC SBDC in 2018 when he participated in Business Builders, a 10-week business training program designed to help entrepreneurs start their businesses with confidence. Now performing over 80 times a month, John continues to meet with his business advisors to strategically grow his business to meet demand. This is John's story.

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Topics: Small Business, Business Profiles, Business, Growing a Business, business builders

Client Success Story: Rock Dojo

Posted by PCC Small Business Development Center on November 30, 2022

Rock Dojo is an award-winning, Portland-based guitar program for kids. Since 2015, more than a thousand elementary school students have learned to play guitar in Rock Dojo's after-school programs and online classes! Since working through the PCC SBDC Advanced Small Business Management training program, co-owner Brian Parham has garnered increased student retention, additional business funding, and a new perspective on how to strategically grow his business. This is Brian's story.

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Topics: Small Business, Business Profiles, Business, Growing a Business, Advanced Small Business Management =

Client Success Story: Settlemier's Award Jackets

Posted by PCC Small Business Development Center on November 22, 2022

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.

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Topics: Small Business, Business Profiles, Business, Growing a Business, Advanced Small Business Management =

Client Success Story: IRL Social Skills

Posted by PCC Small Business Development Center on October 24, 2022

PCC SBDC client Mara McLoughlin built IRL Social Skills to help autistic and other socially struggling teens, adults, and their parents lead successful social lives. When the COVID-pandemic hit, Mara sought professional guidance through PCC SBDC's one-on-one business advising. Her advisor, Jackie B. Peterson, guided Mara in building a foundation on which her new business could grow. Now, IRL Social Skills is serving individuals and families in Oregon and beyond, helping them make and keep friends! This is Mara's story.

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Topics: Small Business, Business Profiles, Business, Starting a Business, Growing a Business, Business Design Series

Small Business Success Story: Past Lives

Posted by PCC Small Business Development Center on October 19, 2022

Past Lives is a 26,000 square foot maker-space located in Eastside Portland. Inspired by a life-changing accident and time spent in prison, founder Brandon Morlock created Past Lives to change the way work is done and provide second-chance employment for people coming out the prison system. Unlike any other maker-space in Portland, Past Lives offers a wood shop, metal shop, machine shop, screen-printing machinery, fabric arts shop, stained glass shop, tech hub, electronics fab bench, art framing area, common work areas and private studio spaces to their members. After working with Bruce Melzer, SBDC Capital Access Team expert, Morlock secured an investment to open Past Lives' new location and grow his business. This is Morlock's story. 

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Topics: Small Business, Business Profiles, Business, Starting a Business, Growing a Business, Capital Access Team

Small Business Success Story: Elemental Studios

Posted by PCC Small Business Development Center on September 21, 2022

Casey Campbell is founder and owner of Elemental Studios, a community ceramics studio that offers classes, workshops, and monthly memberships grounded in wellness education and practice. With a mission to help build community around ceramic arts education and wellness principles and practices, Casey and his team work to help people engage creatively and develop self-care practices they can use in and out of the studio. Casey worked with the PCC SBDC to start his business and now, after hiring five employees and continually increasing revenue, Casey continues to work with the PCC SBDC as Elemental Studios reaches its next growth phase.

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Topics: Small Business, Business Profiles, Business, Starting a Business, Growing a Business, Capital Access Team

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