Minority-Owned Archives

Business Spotlight: Doner Box

Meet Vaness Vu, co-owner of Doner Box in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. Vaness started her business with her sister-in-law, Mai Dzip, in 2019 to bring authentic German-style kebabs to Seattle. When Vaness moved to the U.S. from the Czech Republic, she couldn't find doner kebabs anywhere. So, she decided to bring them over herself. Learn...

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...

Juneteenth 2021: Spend Like It Matters

On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed a bill that makes 19th day of the month of June, Juneteenth National Independence Day. Black-owned businesses have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, and when it comes to recovery, the surviving local Black-owned businesses we love still have a long road...

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...

In-TEN-tionalist Guide to Black Owned Businesses in Los Angeles

To celebrate Black History Month, we’re encouraging people across the country to #SpendLikeItMatters at Black-owned businesses in their communities. Last year, you helped us grow our database in Southern California, and we wanted to share a few of our favorite Black owned businesses in Los...