Shelton: Marketing should be priority No. 1
Posted on 02. Sep, 2010 by Lance Henderson in Opinions
By Jennifer Shelton, director of Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center
What is the one business function that brings in the money for the business to use? The accountant can argue that money management is the key to business success. The production people can argue that without a product there is nothing to sell. I [...]
I-1082 would open worker’s comp market to private insurers
Posted on 02. Sep, 2010 by Lance Henderson in News
By Lee Fehrenbacher
The campaign for Initiative 1082 – a push by the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) to introduce private insurance companies into the state-run Labor & Industries (L&I) worker’s compensation program – began with a uniquely funny, but arguably kitsch commercial.
It’s a YouTube video called “L&I: the Only Grocer in Town,” in which [...]
Shared Work, business advising can save jobs in tough times
Posted on 02. Sep, 2010 by Lance Henderson in Opinions
By Tom Dorr, director of the Center for Economic Vitality
Kay Johnson has been successfully growing her company since 1999. That is until 2008, when the economy turned and she, like many employers, has struggled to survive. Kay’s sales were off over 25 percent and she was cutting costs and hording cash. Her 14 dedicated employees [...]
BizProv: Workshop teaches improv skills for business success
Posted on 02. Sep, 2010 by Lance Henderson in Features
Earlier this year, Galen Emanuele, sales and marketing director at the Upfront Theatre, began to see a connection between the skills being taught in improv classes at the theater and skills for business success. So he started a workshop called BizProv.
Barbie’s Berries turns out fruits of its labor
Posted on 06. Aug, 2010 by Lance Henderson in Features
Barb Kraght, owner of Barbie’s Berries in Ferndale, opened the berry farm in 1996 mostly as a hobby. But now it has grown to employ 50 people during the strawberry, raspberry, blackberry and blueberry harvests. To learn more, watch the video.
Oplinger: The case for opposing the B.C. sales tax exemption
Posted on 30. Jul, 2010 by Lance Henderson in Opinions
By Ken Oplinger, president and CEO of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry
As a resident of Blaine, the husband of a Canadian, and the friend of dozens of people across the Lower Mainland, I could hardly be called, “anti-Canadian.”
That was until I weighed in on the sales tax exemption for B.C. residents. Based on [...]
ThinkBiz 2010 provides training-focused conference
Posted on 22. Jul, 2010 by Lance Henderson in Tips
The Bellingham Business Journal
Western Washington University’s Small Business Development Center and Whatcom Community College are collaborating on what they are billing as a simple, affordable training conference that will have maximum value for local business owners. ThinkBiz 2010-Small Business Conference will take place Sept. 9 and 10 at Whatcom Community College’s Heiner Center.
Greg Marshall, director [...]
Sunrise Dental to donate all 7/14 proceeds to charity
Posted on 13. Jul, 2010 by Lance Henderson in Nonprofits
The Bellingham Business Journal
Those needing dental work could also benefit a good cause if they go to Sunrise Dental.
On July 14, Sunrise Dental of Bellingham, located at 102 S. Samish Way, Suite 103, will donate all appointment proceeds from that day to Sunrise for Children, a non-profit organization that is helping to stop human trafficking [...]
Watson drops out of Port of Bellingham director search
Posted on 02. Jul, 2010 by Lance Henderson in News
The Bellingham Business Journal
Port of Bellingham officials have announced that another executive director finalist, Mark Watson, from Yuma City, Arizona, has informed them that he wished to withdraw from the port’s search process because he accepted a position on July 1 as the new city manager for Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
In a release, officials said Watson [...]
Jordan steps down as executive director at NWEcon
Posted on 02. Jul, 2010 by Lance Henderson in People
By Lance Henderson
The Northwest Economic Council has announced that Nancy Jordan will be stepping down as its executive director. Jordan has held the position for the past four years, including an initial period as interim executive director.
“I have appreciated this opportunity to work with the council,” Jordan said in a press release, “and I wish [...]
