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Archive for the ‘Small Business’ Category

SU’s Small Business Institute Offers Low & No-Cost Small Business & Non-Profit Analysis

Friday, December 9th, 2011

For the past 35 years, Seattle University’s Small Business Institute (SBI) program has provided free and low cost consulting services to over 2,000 small businesses and nonprofits.  This winter quarter, SU professor and SBI Director Dr. Harriet Stephenson will be teaching two undergraduate classes of students who will provide an overall analysis for businesses and nonprofits. This analysis consists of:

  1. defining the business and its mission
  2. establishing goals or where you want the business to be a year and five years from now including revenue and profit goals
  3. assessing where the business is now–strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats; which usually includes marketing research to help identify target market(s), develop an appropriate Internet strategy, and construct a rudimentary marketing plan
  4. performing cash flow projections and a pro forma P&L and balance sheet for one year
  5. recommendations for action to help achieve those projections and goals

The analysis is a ten-week project which coincides with the academic quarter. Each business is assigned a team of 2-5 students, who invest 70-120 hours each to the project of the course of the quarter. The owner or executive director of the organization receiving consulting services is expected to invest an average of 20 hours during the quarter meeting with their student team. Organizations with an annual income/sales/revenue of $300,000 or more and startups with a projected first year sales of $300,000 or more will be asked to pay a $500 administrative fee. Any business whose revenue falls under $300,000 will not be charged.

Organizations will be considered for the program if they 1) have 1-50 employees, 2) are willing to have their student consultant team review their prior financials (such as P&L statements and balance sheets), and 3) register online before the program begins on January 4th – the sooner the better.  If you think a comprehensive small business analysis would benefit your organization, sign up today!

 

12th Avenue Neighborhood Festival returns to Capitol Hill this Sunday!

Friday, August 12th, 2011

WHEN: August 14, 2011 from Noon – 6:00 p.m (This Sunday!)

WHERE: 12th Avenue, between E. Madison & E. Pike on Seattle’s Capitol Hill

COST: Free.  All food priced at $5.00 or less

CAPITOL HILL, SEATTLE –   Bring the family and experience Pike/Pine’s 12thAvenue in its second annual neighborhood street festival.  Enjoy performances from local artists and taste small plates from Seattle’s most eclectic mix of local restaurants – priced at $5 and under!  Building on last year’s successful debut, the 12th Avenue Neighborhood Festival returns on Sunday, August 14th.  Closing 12th Avenue to vehicles between E. Pike and E. Madison Streets, the pedestrian-friendly celebration showcases the best of the neighborhood.

Stroll down restaurant row and discover favorite dishes from 12th Avenue and nearby eateries such as Poquitos, Lark, Plum, Café Presse, Osteria La Spiga, Caffe Vita, Barrio, Zobel Ethiopian Restaurant, High 5 Pie, Caffe Pettirosso, Bluebird Microcreamery, Molly Moon Ice Cream, Poquitos, Ambassel Ethiopian Restaurant, Skillet, The Local Vine, Tavern Law, Kokeb, Via Tribunali, and Boom Noodle.

Shop local by visiting neighborhood retailers at the festival such as Sweatbox Yoga, Health First Chiropractic, Retail Therapy, Porchlight Records, Doghouse Leathers, 14th Avenue Hair, Bootyland, Barre3, Zipcar, Broadway Veterinary Hospital, Oola Distillery, Acupuncture Associates and Wellness Group, Golden Fish Bodyworks, Anchor Bodyworks, Swedish Medical Center, and Gilt City.

Find out more about 12th Avenue nonprofits and community organizations at the info booths of the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, Capitol Hill Community Council, Washington Bus, the Greater Seattle Business Association, GLSEN Washington State, 3 Dollar Bill Cinema, Seattle Out and Proud, Lifelong AIDS Alliance and Capitol Hill Housing.

“In the spirit of the Italian holiday Ferragosto, 12th Avenue restaurants and retailers will showcase their goods and services in a celebration of community, friendship and entertainment,” stated Sabrina Tinsley, co-owner of Osteria La Spiga.

The festival is the signature event of the 12th Avenue Initiative, a neighborhood plan working with businesses, residents and local institutions to strengthen the 12th Avenue Community.

For more information, or to get involved with the festival, contact Alex Brennan at (206) 204-3832 or abrennan@capitolhillhousing.org.  The 12th Avenue Neighborhood Festival is produced by the Capitol Hill Housing Foundation.

12th Avenue Neighborhood Festival Sponsors: Seattle University, Swedish Medical Center, Capitol Hill Housing Foundation, Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, DEI Creative, Cleanscapes, Dunn & Hobbes, The Douglas Building at Seattle University, Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, CapitolHillSeattle.com, Central District News.com, Seattle Gay News, Caffe Vita, La Spiga, Via Tribunali, & Zipcar.

Contact: Alex Brennan

Phone: (206) 204-3832
abrennan@capitolhillhousing.org
www.12thaveseattle.com

ABOUT CAPITOL HILL HOUSING: Capitol Hill Housing provides affordable housing and leads community development efforts— helping families, immigrants and the recently homeless.  Based in Capitol Hill, we have properties in nine Seattle neighborhoods.  Since 1976, we have served low and moderate income residents and worked to improve the Capitol Hill neighborhood for all.

CHH helps people of limited means have a home. We provide a secure, affordable home to more than 1,600 people each night, including hundreds of children.  We place a special focus on affordable housing for families.  In neighborhoods where two and three bedroom homes are rare, CHH works to develop new large apartments.

Our Community Development work focuses on transit oriented development, preservation of historic buildings, creating walkable neighborhood, running the 12th Avenue Initiative and  supporting a thriving commerical district on Capitol Hill.  We strive to impact specific households we serve as well as the entire community.

CHH currently owns and operates 42 buildings across Seattle, including historic Seattle apartments and new, award-winning projects.  We are proud to develop buildings in a community context and provide affordable homes that strengthen the neighborhoods we live in.

 

Great article about Bluebird Ice Cream

Friday, April 1st, 2011

We all know Bluebird Ice Cream is awesome and folks at MSN agreed when they named Bluebird one of the top 10 ice cream joints in the country.

Bluebird is also a great neighbor and donates ice cream to community events all the time. Find out more about Bluebird’s awesomeness in this great article from Seattle University’s Community Connections publication here: Bluebird article

Irish pub coming to 12th Ave!

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

The vacant building and former speakeasy next to Dixon’s Furniture on 12th Avenue will soon be home to an Irish pub called the Chieftain. The folks opening the Chieftain own McGilvra’s in Madison Park and Finn MacCool’s in the U District.

Expect pizza, games, quiz nights, an outdoor deck, and of course Guinness at the Chieftain. The owners hope to open the space by early summer.

Check out more info here.

City Business Casual

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

Join Seattle’s Office of Economic Development staff at the next City Business Casual! It is an informal event held monthly where business owners can chat with City of Seattle leadership and other experts in the field. Come and share your concerns or ideas!

Guests:
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Phil Bussey
Director of Dept. of Information Technology Bill Schrier

Thursday, February 10th
5:00 – 7:00pm
Polar Bar, 700 3rd Avenue

(in the Arctic Club Hotel)

New retail at 12th and Jefferson – what do you want to see?

Friday, January 28th, 2011

As reported earlier, Capitol Hill Housing is planning to start construction on their mixed-use development at 12th and E Jefferson this spring.

There will be 5,000 square feet of retail on the ground floor, broken up into 5 spaces (although some can be combined to create larger spaces). The commercial space ranges from 550 sq ft to 2,500 sq ft.

What do you want to see at this location?  We want to hear from you!

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world’s leading questionnaire tool.

If you are interested in leasing any of these spaces, or know someone that is, please contact Capitol Hill Housing’s Betsy Hunter at 206-204-3830 or bhunter (at) capitolhillhousing (dot) org.

Here’s more information on the building:  12th & Jefferson Information Sheet

Bagels and Pie!

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

Look for a “soft opening” this Friday, Dec 17th at Eltana, serving wood-fired “Montreal bagels” in the Packard Building at the corner of 12th and E Pine.

High Five Pie will also be holding their Grand Opening Celebration on Thursday, December 30th from 6-8pm at their location at 12th and Madison in the corner space at Trace Lofts.

YAYY!

Doc Hamilton’s Barbeque Pit

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

We did a little story on the history of building at 908 12th Avenue and its past life as a speakeasy and jazz club. There some more information from the Museum of History and Industry via their MOHAI Minute series. Check it out!

City Business Casual event coming up Dec 14th

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

This year the Seattle Office of Economic Development has started hosting regular meet and greets designed to connect the local business community with City leaders and staff in a fun and informal setting.

Please join them for their next event:
City Business Casual
December 14
5-7pm

Polar Bar (inside the Arctic Hotel at 700 Third Avenue)

Guests include Washington State Director of Commerce Rogers Weed, City Council President Richard Conlin, and Councilmembers Sally Bagshaw, Jean Godden, Mike O’Brien and Tom Rasmussen.

No RSVP is needed.
Appetizers will be served.

Looks for these monthly events to continue in 2011.

Thai! Curry! Simple!

Friday, December 3rd, 2010

Thai Curry Simple, the new tenants at the former Barista Boyz coffee walk-up shack, are open for business…and according to fellow staff members, serve up a totally delicious and affordable plate of vegetarian curry! Check them out at the corner of Madison-Union and 12th Ave.