Starting in Portland, we met with Marmoset Music Co-Founder and CEO Ryan Wines, the 2022 winner of the SBA Portland District Director’s Award for Excellence. We learned that nearly half of Marmoset’s sales go directly back to hardworking, blue collar artists, supporting their lives and families, adding stability to their careers and their craft. We also met with Heritage Bank NW’s Senior Vice Presidents Sharon Teel Wynde and Emily Leach whose thoughtful nomination made this recognition possible as well as helping the company connect with SBA Funding Programs to help grow the business.

Kevin and Angie Shaw of Brightways Counseling Group, the 2022 SBA Oregon Small Business Person of the Year, met us at their beautiful business location in Redmond where we had the opportunity to meet with their amazing team members as well as members of the Central Oregon Daily News who came out to tell their story. We learned how Kevin and Angie were able to pivot their business during the pandemic and expand their tele-health capacity to meet the growing demand for their services. We also learned how Brightways supports organizations that fights and advocates against human trafficking as well as a community-based facility providing shelter, help and hope to those experiencing homelessness in Central Oregon.

Central Orgon Daily News Story

And finally, we journeyed to the tight-knit community of Klamath Falls where we recognized the winner of the 2022 SBA Pacific Northwest SBDC Excellence and Innovation Award, Klamath Community College (KCC) SBDC. KCC SBDC Director Kat Rutledge introduced us to amazing small businesses and partners who came to share in the celebrations. 

Kat attributed the center’s success to the hard work of her team at Klamath SBDC and its partnership with Klamath IDEA.  Klamath Falls Mayor Carol Westfall and Oregon SBDC Network State Director Mark Gregory were among the many community leaders and small business owners who helped make the celebration extra special. Thank you, Kat for your tireless personal effort that lifted countless small businesses at a time when they needed it most during the pandemic.

Klamath IDEA video introduction

We are looking forward to honoring Native American Technology Corporation (NATECH) of North Bend as the 2022 Pacific Northwest Region Small Business Subcontractor of the Year in the near future but wanted to honor the company here by revisiting their win as the 2019 SBA Portland District Family-Owned Small Business of the Year. The company was founded by Wanda Williford and her late husband John Williford. Together, they tapped into SBA resources to help grow their business to a place they had never imagined. Today, their granddaughter, Cori Kelly, serves as the company’s president.

Learn more about NATECH