LGBTQ-Owned Archives

Business Spotlight: The Barber Collective

Meet Georgette Watje, the owner of The Barber Collective in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood and a firm believer that hair is genderless and a form of self expression.⁠ Georgette started The Barber Collective in 2020 after being a social worker for 12 years. She's always loved the experience of going to the barbershop, but as a more...

Aluel Cellars: A Queer-Owned Winery Built On Love (And More Beer Than You Might Think)

The story of Aluel Cellars is a love story. A queer love story. It all started 11 years ago. "Alex and I met almost 11 years ago. When we first met, a big part of our first date was that we each brought a really special bottle of wine with a fun story to tell behind it,” Aluel Cellars...

Business Spotlight: Pimienta Bistro

Meet Blanca Rodriguez, the owner of Latin fusion restaurant Pimienta Bistro in Federal Way, Washington. Chef Blanca grew up in Guadalajara in a family of restauranteurs who loved to entertain and had a passion for food. She took the experiences from her family and the culinary experience she garnered to open Pimienta Bistro in 2010. The...

Fulcrum Speaks the Language of Coffee and Community

Blas Alfardo, vice president and head of the roasting program at Fulcrum Coffee. (Photo: Fulcrum Coffee) Fulcrum Coffee vice president and head roaster Blas Alfaro was around 10 years old when he roasted his first batch of coffee beans on his family’s coffee farm — just like his...

Repair Revolution: Repairing Cars, Revolutionizing the Auto Repair Industry

Eli and their crew at Repair Revolution. (Photo: Repair Revolution) When Eli Allison, founder of Repair Revolution, started as a mechanic, they saw a gap in the auto repair industry. As a queer person, they were working twice as hard to prove themselves in a notoriously homophobic,...

Business Spotlight: Shikorina Pastries

Meet Hana Yohannes — baker extraordinaire, Pastry Project alumna, and owner of Shikorina Pastries in Seattle's Central District. At Shikorina Pastries, Hana focuses on using organic ingredients and prioritizes working with other small businesses to make the best use of the delicious and fresh ingredients grown locally. Hana was also a part of...