Inspired by her grandmother Dorothy, Robyn Galbos believes that food has role as a medium beyond basic nourishment. Food can tell a story of a culture, a time, a place, an experience, and even an ethos. While starting Robyn's Craft Bakehouse, making and selling whole grain crackers and crisps, Robyn attended the Getting Your Recipe to Market program at the PCC Small Business Development Center. This is her story.

The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan. 

Eric Pfau came to the PCC Small Business Development Center to learn how the business might improve based upon best practices of other businesses of similar size and experience. Then COVID-19 pandemic hit and Grummel Engineering, like so many other small businesses, had to change the way they worked with clients and with each other. Eric's goal is for the business to come out of the pandemic stronger than going in. This is the story of how Eric and Grummel Engineering is adapting to their "new normal" as they prepare for long term growth.  

Heather Zeitzwolfe participated in both the SBDC Business Design Series and Small Business Builders programs while starting her accounting business. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing her to rethink her business model. Thanks to the assistance she got from these programs and the Advisers at the PCC SBDC, Heather has been able to continue moving towards her dream of being an entrepreneur. This is her story. 

Jaime Johnston has found herself in a challenging situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was just getting ready to start her GDM Co. beard oil business when things began to shut down. Her start up marketing plan was supposed to have her travel around the state to small retailers, but the Governor's "stay at home" orders made that plan impossible. With the help of the Portland Community College Small Business Development Center she was able to adjust her plans and start her business on a solid foundation. GDM officially launched sales in the middle of August 2020. This is their story. 

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic Portland's Bricks and Minifigs store focused primarily on walk in sales. When the State of Oregon required people to stay home the store's owner, Spencer Crandall, had to make some adjustments in order to survive. Working with the PCC Small Business Development Center's Advisers, Spencer was able to gain important information about what he would need to do to take a portion of his business online. This is his story. 

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic nearly 100% of Mimi Martin's Wine & Spirit Archive's revenue came from in-person classes. The restrictions on gatherings in Oregon forced her to redesign existing courses to offer online training. Mimi was able to develop new classes suited to the stay at home orders. Her “Wine Class in a Box” provides a unique antidote to the isolation many people are experiencing. This is her story of resilience and adaptation.

Making the leap towards pursuing your dream of running a restaurant, or food cart, or breaking into the food service industry takes a lot of hard work, patience, preparation and planning before you even hit the "start" button. The competitive industry requires a steadfast focus for all of the aspects that come with running your own business. You must prepare to face unexpected challenges, and learn how to become a master marketer.

Amy Boggs owns and operates a local cleaning company that is on the cutting edge of innovation.  Amy opened Sparkling Places in 2002 in an effort to afford to continue her college education and has turned to cutting edge technology to expand her business to address the needs of customers dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. 

Oliver Alexander started the co-working space (Remote.ly) just over a year ago on March 7, 2019. They were just beginning to turn a profit, hitting the black for the first time in February 2020. Then Covid-19 hit and their momentum was wiped out. The Federal PPP and EIDL programs helped them survive. Now Remote.ly is looking forward to reopening their doors as Multnomah County enters Phase I of reopening, but things will look very different for Oliver and his customers. This is the story of how Remote.ly is building resilience during challenging times.