Business Spotlight: Connect Lounge

Meet Iulia Bejan, owner of Connect Lounge in the Belltown neighborhood of Seattle, WA. When Iulia moved to the US from Romania to pursue her MBA she was hit with the “Seattle freeze,” like so many new to the city. She founded Connect Lounge to provide her community with a place to spark and engage in real, unplugged conversations between...
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  • September 7, 2021
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Business Spotlight: Lumpia World

Meet Derrick Ellis, co-owner of Lumpia World in Federal Way, WA, along with his wife Eleanor. Derrick was hooked on Eleanor’s perfectly golden and crispy lumpia after just one bite, and he knew others would feel the same way. The couple started Lumpia World in 2006 and have put everything into making great food that speaks for the passion...
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  • August 31, 2021
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Business Spotlight: Pac Island Grill

Meet Leianna Landon, co-owner of Pac Island Grill in Federal Way, WA along with her husband David. Leianna and David decided to open their own Hawaiian restaurant after David spent 15 years in the restaurant industry. Now, Pac Island Grill has become known for its Luau-inspired barbecue in a comfortable, relaxing, and family friendly atmosphere....
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  • August 24, 2021
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Business Spotlight: Sassafras

Meet Amy Tipton, owner of Sassafras in Belltown in Seattle. When Sassafras first opened its doors in December 2012, Amy had set up her own dining table as a display table and buckled in for holiday sales. Today, Sassafras continues to provide hyper-local, small batch clothing options for customers looking for handmade, timeless, and...
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  • July 27, 2021
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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...
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  • July 20, 2021
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Business Spotlight: Creamy Cone Cafe

Meet Ashanti Mayfield, the owner of Creamy Cone Cafe in Rainier Beach in Seattle. When Creamy Cone Cafe opened its doors in June 2021, it brought family fun and locally-made ice cream to the heart of Ashanti's neighborhood. She was inspired to open an ice cream shop because she saw her community’s need for more fun local spots that anybody...
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  • July 13, 2021
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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...
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  • July 6, 2021
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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...
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  • June 22, 2021
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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...
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  • June 8, 2021
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