Shelbi Wescott

The Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA) projects a positive future for the US bowling industry, as COVID continues and beyond. Read on for a look at how bowling alleys are surviving, and what the bowling community is doing to stay together.

Despite COVID restrictions, rent hikes, a changing market, and unforseen legal battles, Bibi Pirayesh of California Kabob is determined to fight to sustain her father’s legacy. The LA-based Persian restaurant has served up food and community for over 20 years, but is now struggling to survive the pandemic. Read on for more details about California Kabob.

Trellis Counseling has specialized in trauma therapy from day one, and was uniquely prepared for the challenges of the COVID pandemic. Overcoming issues related to remote counseling and therapy, Trellis has adapted to meet the needs of a growing and increasingly traumatized clientele. Read on for a full look at Trellis Counseling, how it began, and where it’s going next.

Shashonna Knecht, tattoo artist and owner of the NE Portland tattoo studio La Petite Tattoo, discusses the logistics of reopening and talks about the challenges and advantages of her business model in the new COVID economy.

Nonprofits have plenty to teach small business owners about managing money and people, communicating a mission, carving out a needed niche, writing a business plan, and using social media to tell their story. Learn more about North by Northeast Community Health Center, the only free health clinic in Oregon dedicated to African American/Black health, and see how following the pattern of a successful nonprofit can change your business ethics and efficacy.

Ashley Miller took COVID-related job loss and uncertainty and turned her misfortune into opportunity, starting Ruby’s Cleaning Service just months into the worldwide pandemic. Thanks to hard work and a solid niche in the real estate market, this cleaning business looks to have a bright future. Read on as we turn our small business spotlight on Ruby’s Cleaning Service, LLC.

Located in Portland, Oregon’s Sellwood neighborhood, the Pied Piper cafe opened in 2015. The business boasted a contained play area, served fresh food, and even had a patio and on-site parking. It was also the type of desired community gathering spot dreamed about by other frazzled parents juggling work and kids in the upscale district. Owner Melissa Swan recently closed her doors. Read more about her journey here.

HR, as a department within your business, is the branch of operations that is responsible for managing a company’s human resources (or human capital; or employees). Wondering whether a Human Resources Manager, a full Human Resources Department, or an outsourced service is the best fit for your business? We can help you decide.

Wilson applied for a Payroll Protection Program loan with the bank where she has her business account. She was quickly approved and saw the loan deposit less than two weeks after approval. Per the SBA’s instructions, she understood 75% of the loan needed to go into payroll and employee retention during the next two and a half months in order to be eligible for forgiveness. There is ample trepidation about following the government’s directions.

Online reviews about anything and everything is so prevalent in today’s culture that most of us fancy ourselves not only as connoisseurs of the best goods and services out there but as consummate experts on reviews themselves. Most importantly, we can all spot a fake review a mile away, right? Turns out, it’s not as simple as we might think, and in this post, we tell you what signs to look for to determine if a review is fake.