State Commerce Department offering free online Entrepreneur Expo Nov. 30

The Washington State Department of Commerce will wrap up its annual Global Entrepreneurship Month activities on Nov. 30 with an online Entrepreneur Expo. According to a news release, the free virtual Zoom session will cover a wide range of topics for current and prospective startups and small business owners, including artificial intelligence, funding opportunities and…

Sponsor spotlight: Year-end tax planning tips for your business

As 2023 winds down, here are some ideas to help you prepare for filing your upcoming tax return: Informational returns. Identify all vendors who require a 1099-MISC and a 1099-NEC. Obtain tax identification numbers (TINs) for each of these vendors if you have not already done so. Shifting income and expenses. Consider accelerating income, or deferring earnings,…

Macy’s workers plan to strike starting on Black Friday at state’s busiest stores

The unofficial start of the 2023 holiday shopping season will have some notable drama this year. Hundreds of Macy’s workers Friday announced a countdown to an Unfair Labor Practices (ULP) strike at some of the busiest stores in Washington, including Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, Bellis Fair Mall in Bellingham and Southcenter Mall in Tukwila. Striking…

Homage announces Angela Bishop as Director of Philanthropy

Lynnwood-based Homage has named Angela Bishop as its new Director of Philanthropy. Bishop brings nearly a dozen years of nonprofit leadership experience, having served as executive director at four different area nonprofits, such as The Sophia Way and Ronald McDonald House Charities, according to a news release. In her new position, Bishop aims to enhance…

WA spent $500M to help small, minority businesses. Did it work?

Sunlight shone through the knee-to-ceiling glass windows as Venus Forteza, 48, stood behind the bar, pouring beers and taking orders for Cuban sandwiches or pork cassoulet stew. Behind Forteza, diners could see her husband preparing each meal. A nearby shelf held books with titles like Radical Brewing and Real Taste of Jamaica. Bob Marley songs…

WA aerospace and wood sectors up for major infusions of federal cash

Washington and Oregon could receive tens of millions of dollars from the federal government for aerospace materials, semiconductors and engineered wood after the Biden administration announced Monday that the two states will be home to three of 31 new technology hubs. Nationwide, the hubs will span 32 states and Puerto Rico. They’re meant to spur…

Edmonds College President to speak at Lions Club on Oct. 25

The Edmonds Lions Club welcomes Edmonds College President Dr. Amit Singh as its guest speaker at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Maplewood Presbyterian Church, 19523 84th Avenue West in Edmonds, according to a news release. The community is welcome to attend. Singh is the fifth President of Edmonds College. He joined Edmonds College in…

Washington State to release Small Business Guide in Braille

The Washington State Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation & Assistance (ORIA) is releasing its Small Business Guide (SBG) in Braille — the first of its kind providing information specific to all businesses in Washington state. According to a press release, the guide represents “a significant stride towards creating an inclusive and accessible community.” Highlights of…

Ribbon cut for new business Heart Art Studio

Members of the Mountlake Terrace City Council joined representatives from Heart Art Studio Thursday celebrate the grand opening at Terrace Village Shopping Center, 22002 64th Ave. W., Ste 2B. The studio offers classes and workshops, private parties and coaching. Instructor Cynthia Gahan combines 19 years of teaching experience with eight years of formal art training…

Rick Steves paints a multi-level picture at Rotary Club of Lynnwood

The Rotary Club of Lynnwood invited a special guest to their most recent meeting on Thursday, Oct. 5: Rick Steves, a well-known travel author, activist, radio host, television personality and philanthropist. Quite a few members were personally acquainted with Steves — an Edmonds resident since 1967 — but all of the attendees knew about his…

Business networking event at Sorelli Pizza Sept. 26

The Mountlake Terrace and Brier Chamber of Commerce is hosting a business networking event from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26 at Sorelli Pizza, 22402 44th Ave. W., Mountlake Terrace. Connect with fellow business owners and entrepreneurs, share industry insights, and foster collaborations in a casual and friendly atmosphere. Learn more and register here.

L&I proposes 4.9% increase in workers’ comp rates for 2024

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is proposing a 4.9% increase in the average hourly rate employers and workers will pay for workers’ compensation insurance next year. If adopted, the increase would mean employers and workers on average would jointly pay an additional $65 a year for each full-time employee within a…

Washington’s reworked heat pump rules receive a cool reception from critics

Washington regulators on Friday veered away from requiring builders to install electric heat pumps rather than natural gas furnaces in new homes, apartments and commercial buildings they construct. Instead, in an expected move, the Washington State Building Code Council settled on an overhaul of energy regulations aimed at beefing up incentives for choosing heat pumps…

Welcome to new advertiser rb.by.design, providing creative interior design solutions

We’re happy to introduce our newest advertising sponsor, rb.by.design. The company envisions creative, thoughtful interior design solutions for homeowners, small multifamily developers  and local businesses including local restaurants and offices . Having worked most of her career at an interdisciplinary architecture firm with an emphasis on sustainability, owner and designer Rachael Bauer brings fresh inspiration and…

Premera hires news chief strategy officer

Mountlake Terrace-based Premera Blue Cross has hired Umar Farooq as the company’s Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). As CSO, Farooq is responsible for managing Premera’s enterprise strategy. “We’re thrilled to welcome Umar to Premera,” said Jeffrey Roe, president and CEO of Premera. “He is a forward-thinking health care executive with deep experience in health plans and…

From an idea to ‘Shark Tank,’ Edmonds woman makes prenups available to all

Sarabeth Jaffe of Edmonds is riding high with her 2.5-year-old business HelloPrenup. Recently featured in Forbes magazine’s “30 Seattle innovators under 30” list of innovative young entrepreneurs, Jaffe is filling the previously unmet need of couples contemplating marriage with a fast, easy, affordable alternative to the traditional prenuptial agreement process. “The idea came to me…

State treasurer joins call for FTC to oppose supermarket merger

State of Washington Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti and six other state treasurers are urging federal regulators to oppose a merger of the nation’s two largest grocery store chains. The seven state officials sent a letter last week to the Federal Trade Commission warning of  “significant adverse effects” if Kroger, the nation’s largest supermarket chain, is allowed…

Edmonds schools foundation receives $10K from Gesa Credit Union

Gesa Credit Union on Friday announced that it has donated more than $340,000 in 2022-23 school year earnings to school districts statewide through its affinity debit card program. Among the beneficiaries is the Foundation for Edmonds School District, which received $10,000 The program provides support to local schools by generating funds for partner districts to…

Lynnwood’s Cycle Gear hosting BikeNight cookout July 11

Lynnwood’s Cycle Gear is hosting a BikeNight get-together July 11 for locals to enjoy motorcycle games, music and a barbecue. The event will also include a raffle. The fun begins at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11. Cycle Gear is located at 4210 196th St. S.W. in Lynnwood.

Sponsor spotlight: Peoples Bank makes true connections in the Edmonds community

When a community can trust a bank, beautiful things will happen. Peoples Bank district branch manager Vern Woods leads a team of bankers dedicated to the company’s “People First” philosophy. Together, they provide financial services the community can trust. Vern, a retail banker, helps customers access personal banking products and services such as checking accounts,…