Phuong Huynh has joined HomeStreet Bank as a Mortgage Loan Officer. He will be based out of HomeStreet Bank’s Bellevue Central Office.

The event will give small businesses from across the country gathered for National Small Business Week an opportunity to have face-to-face meetings with prime contractors and federal agencies to learn about specific contracting and subcontracting opportunities.   This is part of SBA’s Procurement Day which will also feature federal contracting panels on gaining access to federal prime contracting and subcontracting opportunities.

The business matchmaking sessions are open to small businesses that register for National Small Business Week.  Small businesses must have a DUNS number, which can be obtained by going to the DUNS official Web site at (www.dnb.com/us), and must be registered in Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov), the federal government’s official database of small businesses wishing to secure federal contracts.

The face-to-face matchmaking meetings will be 15 minutes, matching approximately 150 businesses and 20 buyers based on their compatibility and the buying needs of the federal agencies and corporations.  Small business owners interested in participating must first register for National Small Business Week at www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com.

Once registered, they will receive a code to allow them to complete their business matchmaking registration at:  https://nsbw.mybusinessmatches.com.  Registration for the event will close on May 18, 2012.   One session will be held on May 22 from 10:00am-12:30pm and the second session will be held from 3:00pm-5:00pm.

During the forums, small businesses will learn how to market themselves to the federal government and go after government contracting opportunities.  Once small business owners register for the workshops, they will have the option of attending any of three sessions:

• Government Contracting 101: Small Business Contracting Programs

(10:00-11:15am)

• Insights into Federal Contracting Opportunities with Federal Agency Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBUs) (10:00am-11:15am and 11:30am-12:45pm)
• Improving your Business through Subcontracting Opportunities (11:30am-12:45pm)

For more information about the Matchmaking event, visit: https://nsbw.mybusinessmatches.com and National Small Business Week http://www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com.

Small Business Week 2012 sponsors and cosponsors include: AARP, Association of Small Business Development Companies, AT&T, Dun & Bradstreet, InterContinental Hotels Group, International Franchise Association, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, National Association of Development Companies, National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders,  National Association for the Self-Employed, National Small Business Association, Neustar, Northrop Grumman, Office Depot, Paychex, Inc., Prudential, Raytheon, Sage Software, Inc., Salesgenie, SCORE, Small Business Investor Alliance, T-Mobile, VISA, Wall Street Journal and Women Impacting Public Policy.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s participation in this cosponsored activity does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any cosponsor’s, donor’s, grantee’s, contractor’s or participant’s opinions, products, or services. All SBA programs and cosponsored programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least 2 weeks in advance, by contacting sbw@sba.gov. Cosponsorship Authorization #SBW2012.

At 500% efficiency and an annual Greenhouse Gas Emission reduction of 150 tonnes, the system heats the domestic hot water for the development’s 60 homes and contributed to earning the condominium complex the first dual ‘green’ certification in Canada – LEED Platinum and Built Green Gold.

IWHES president – Lynn Mueller commented “We are very pleased with the performance of our 120,000 Btus per hour Sewage Wastewater Heat Recovery System and proud to have been involved with the first multi-family residential project in North America to have installed such an environmentally-friendly solution for heating and cooling.”

About Wastewater Heat Exchange System
Utilizing a unique clog proof raw sewage filtration system, the Heat Exchange Technology is able to conduct simple and direct heat exchange from untreated wastewater to provide the most energy-saving, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solutions for heating, cooling and hot water for any buildings, residential or commercial. – www.sewageheatrecovery.com

Good things come in dozens – donuts, roses and now a unique collection of properties featuring character and charm from Coast Hotels & Resorts! Offering a seamless blend of exceptional value, comfort, first-rate service and amenities throughout Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington, Coast Hotels & Resorts is celebrating its guests at all 12 properties with a new contest throughout the remainder of the year – 12 in 2012.

Kicking off in May, every Coast Hotels & Resorts property will randomly select three guests to receive one of the following rewards upon check-in:

• A free room upgrade
• An overnight stay for only $12
• 1,200 Coast Reward bonus points

“We are passionate about offering a unique collection of affiliated properties and eager to celebrate the heart and soul of Coast Hotels & Resorts – our guests,” said Coast Hotels & Resorts president and CEO David Cottler. “Our properties continually strive to surprise and delight guests and we’re looking forward to taking that one step further with the launch of our new 12 in 2012 promotion.”

Additionally, anyone who stays at a Coast Hotels & Resorts property between May 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012 will be entered to win a grand prize of two free nights at all 12 Coast Hotels & Resorts properties, for a total of 24 free nights to use throughout the following year. The grand prize drawing will take place in January 2013.

With its recent rebranding now complete, Coast Hotels & Resorts merges the value of a national brand with the individual attention and appeal of a boutique hotel at each of its 12 properties. Consisting of a variety of owned, managed and leased personality-driven properties, Coast Hotels & Resorts prides itself on providing a friendly and approachable atmosphere for guests, and strives to constantly surprise and delight:

• Walk-in freezer access for game hunters visiting Alaska’s Coast International Inn
• Bike rentals for Maui Coast guests wishing to tour the island on two wheels
• Historic charm and timeless beauty at The Benson Hotel – a favorite for celebrities and U.S. presidents visiting Portland, Oregon

“We pride ourselves on offering a diverse group of properties and are eager to show our appreciation to our guests,” said Cottler. “We remain committed to helping visitors continue to discover all that the West Coast has to offer with a blend of signature comfort, value and service from Coast Hotels & Resorts.”

Coast Hotels & Resorts consists of 12 West Coast properties which include:

• Anchorage, Ala.: Coast International Inn
• Seattle, Wash.: The Roosevelt; The Paramount; Coast Gateway Hotel
• Bellevue, Wash.:  Coast Bellevue
• Wenatchee, Wash.: Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel
• Portland, Ore.: The Benson; The Paramount
• Kihei, Hawaii: Maui Coast
• Santa Barbara, Calif.: West Beach Inn
• Burbank, Calif.: Safari Inn; Coast Anabelle Hotel

For more information or to book your next stay, please visit www.coasthotels.com.

About Coast Hotels & Resorts

Coast Hotels & Resorts has owned, managed and franchised a unique collection of distinctive West Coast properties throughout the U.S. and Canada for more than 40 years. Known for providing a seamless blend of comfort, first-rate service and exceptional value, Coast properties continually surprise and delight guests with consistently friendly accommodations and a style and personality all their own. Coast Hotels & Resorts are always conveniently located, affording both leisure and business travelers easy access to restaurants, theaters, local sight-seeing attractions and major airports. Current U.S. properties are located in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii. For more information, please visit our website at www.coasthotels.com/. If you would like to stay in touch with Coast Hotels & Resorts, please “Like” us on Facebook at Coast Hotels & Resorts USA or “Follow” us on Twitter at @CoastHotelsUSA.

SEATTLE – (May 1, 2012) – Highlighting the Pacific Northwest’s vast assortment of fresh flavors, Executive Chef Mark Bodinet and the culinary team of Copperleaf Restaurant announce the release of their newest seasonal menu, available now at the award-winning Seattle farm-to-table restaurant.

In an exquisite showcase of seasonal ingredients, flavor combinations and artistic presentation, the newest Copperleaf lunch, dinner and lounge menus feature a variety of local favorites including Washington Field Rhubarb with Grilled Leek, Young Turnip, Breakfast Radish and Nicoise Olive; Short Rib Bisquits with Sweet Corn, Yakima Raspberries and Cilantro; Black Mouth Salmon with Glazed Sunchoke, Green Almond, Cipollini Onion and Garden Radish; Pleasant View Farms Moulard Duck with Artichokes Barigoule, Spring Garlic, Fava Beans and Burnt Orange; and Malted Milk Ice Cream with Banana Chiboust and Candied Holmquist Farm Hazelnut.

“The variety of colors, flavors and textures that Chef highlights on the new menus really capture the best of the Pacific Northwest,” said Roy Breiman, culinary director of Cedarbrook Lodge. “Spring is an exceptional season for everything from herbs to seafood, and we’re excited to introduce our guests to new preparations while maintaining our farm-to-table commitment.”

At the intimate 30-seat farm-to-table restaurant, Bodinet and Breiman lead the culinary team, highlighting dining excellence with a focus and commitment to using local ingredients. In addition to many herbs and vegetables grown in Cedarbrook’s onsite Chef’s garden and mushroom patch, Copperleaf sources most of its menu from within 100 miles of the restaurant.

In addition to the new spring menus, Copperleaf Restaurant is introducing private label red house wine.  The varietal was created in partnership with Parejas Cellars, a boutique winery in the Yakima Valley that produces high quality wines from locally grown vineyards.  The Copperleaf private label red blend contains equal parts Garnacha, Tempranillo, Monastrell and Malbec.  Copperleaf private label wine is available in the restaurant and lounge for $15 per glass and $52 per bottle.

Copperleaf was named a 2011 Top 10 New Restaurant by Gayot, as well as Best New Restaurant to open in 2010 by Seattle Magazine readers. Copperleaf strives to set a model of responsible and sustainable culinary practices by utilizing concepts such as onsite farming, mushroom harvesting, composting, water reclamation, as well as sourcing meat, dairy and produce from local ranchers, farmers and artisans.

Copperleaf Restaurant is open daily for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., dinner from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., and happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. For more information about Copperleaf Restaurant or to make reservations, visit http://www.CopperleafRestaurant.com or call (206) 214-4282.

About Copperleaf Restaurant

With a commitment to nourish the minds, Copperleaf Restaurant at Cedarbrook Lodge is Seattle’s quintessentially Northwest farm-to-table dining destination. Led by Executive Chef Mark Bodinet and Culinary Director Roy Breiman, Copperleaf opened in 2010 and has been distinguished by Gayot as a 2012 Top 10 Restaurant for Food Rating, Northwest Cuisine, Outdoor Dining and Special Occasion, as well as a 2012 OpenTable® Diners’ Choice winner. Additionally, Seattle Magazine readers named it the Best Restaurant to open in 2010. Sourcing ingredients from local farmers, ranchers and artisans, as well as offering produce and herbs from its own Chef’s garden, Copperleaf is committed to sustainable dining. The restaurant also offers Copperleaf Rewards, a loyalty program for guests.  For reservations, call (206) 214-4284 or visit http://www.CopperleafRestaurant.com.

About Coastal Hotel Group

Coastal Hotel Group is a privately held, Seattle-based hotel hospitality management company specializing in distinctive luxury hotels, resorts, inns, and lodges. Established in 1987, Coastal Hotel Group has earned a reputation for providing remarkable lodging choices for the discerning traveler. Coastal Hotel Group is a founding member of Stash Hotel Rewards™, a point-based program that allows guests at independent hotels across the country to quickly earn free nights at any participating property. For more information about Coastal Hotel Group, visit http://www.CoastalHotels.com.

“With the opportunities presented last November, we knew we had to bring our concept to Washington state to meet the needs of this region’s consumers,” said David Trone, who co-owns Total Wine & More with his brother Robert.  “We know that with our vast selection of more than 8,000 wines, 3,000 spirits and 2,500 beers, we will exceed the demand for not only hard-to-find labels, but locally produced products as well.”

The new Bellevue store marks the 81st location in the U.S. for Total Wine & More.  With 30,000 sq. ft. of space, Total Wine will offer an unparalleled selection, greater than any other retailer in the Seattle-area.  Consumers will also find low prices and excellent service from the company’s expertly trained staff.  In addition, Total Wine will feature a climate-controlled wine cellar for rare selections, a walk-in humidor for fine cigars, as well as provide space for private tastings, consumer education courses, community meetings and special events.

Total Wine regularly features wine, spirits and beer tastings with a focus on wine-producing regions and seasonal topics.  All employees go through an extensive three-week training program covering the various regions, production methods, varietals, brew styles and tasting analysis before stepping onto the sales floor.  The company also offers ongoing training and a chance to meet with the world’s key wine producers.  Once a year, Total Wine treats top staff to a trip to California’s major wine regions for a six-day training session, as well as a 12-day trip to Europe’s key wine regions every other year, to further enhance their overall knowledge.

The Bellevue location of Total Wine & More is accepting applications for all position levels, from cashier to manager.  To learn more about Total Wine and apply for employment, visit www.totalwine.com.

About Total Wine & More

Total Wine & More operates 80 wine superstores in 11 states, with expansion reaching 14 states by year’s end.  The company’s vast selection of products, combined with low everyday prices and expertly trained wine associates, brings a unique shopping experience to the consumer.  Total Wine & More has the distinction of being Beverage Dynamic’s 2008 Retailer of the Year, Market Watch’s 2006 Retailer of the Year, and Wine Enthusiast’s 2004 Retailer of the Year.  Since opening its first store in 1991, Total Wine & More has been committed to being the premier wine retailer in every community that it serves.  For more information and store locations, please visit www.totalwine.com.

That’s most people’s idea of a success story, but Beck had hit a wall.

She was working harder than ever, she said, but it was still a struggle. The recession had hit, competition was increasing and she started to wonder if all the work was worth it.

She remembers thinking, “Either I have to grow or I should probably just sell.”

She did not sell, and three years later her revenues are up to $2.3 million, her staff has nearly doubled and on Thursday (April 26) the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) honored her as the Washington State Small Business Person of the Year. The award was presented at the SBA annual Small Business Awards Gala at Boeing’s Museum of Flight.

Clients, caregivers matched with care

Beck – who rediscovered her passion for working with elderly people after a 20-year career in corporate finance – has worked tirelessly to create not only a successful business, but a business where she would like to be an employee. She expends an enormous amount of time and energy on hiring the right people, matching clients with caregivers, and putting policies and procedures in place to ensure that both clients and caregivers enjoy their Andelcare experience.

While some clients enjoy 24/7 care from an Andelcare employee, others might hire a companion for a couple hours a week to go shopping, have their hair done or help with cooking or personal hygiene. Each client is different and requires different services, Beck said. Likening herself to a matchmaker, Beck said her goal is for both client and caregiver to look forward to their time together.

Small business advisor “a godsend”

With an attitude of “let the baker bake,” Beck has brought in experts to help her manage various aspects of her business, from CPAs to IT providers to a payroll service. But the person she credits with being key to the phenomenal growth she has seen over the past three years is Michael J. Franz, a certified business advisor with the Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC) program in Seattle.

The WSBDC is a partnership between the SBA, Washington State University, other institutions of higher education and economic development agencies. Confidential one-on-one advising is provided at no cost to clients who want to grow or start a small business. Franz is part of a network of 32 WSBDC advisors located in 26 centers across the state.

“He’s been a godsend,” Beck said. “I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without Michael.”

Excels in all criteria

For his part, Franz has called Beck a “hero” of the small business community. She has a genuine concern for the elderly and her employees, he said, and she has built a multi-million dollar business that reflects her values, is setting industry standards and is sustainable.

Business sustainability is one of the criteria for the SBA Small Business Person of the Year award. Other criteria include growth in employees, financial growth, innovation of product or service offered, response to adversity and community service.

“Marla was just over the top in all of those areas,” said Nancy Porzio, SBA district director in Seattle. “If there is an ideal business person it is Marla Beck.”

Not just for new business owners

Beck said she initially was skeptical of meeting with a WSBDC advisor because she assumed the focus was on new businesses or first-time business owners. She’d been in business seven years and was grossing more than a million dollars a year, so she wasn’t a rookie.

On a referral from Emmy Jordan, senior vice president for business development at the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Beck made an appointment with Franz and was pleased to discover that he met her where she was. Together they created an action plan that focused on what she wanted to achieve.

“I really needed an advisor whom I could trust and know that he’s only looking out for my best interests,” she said.

Beck said they took the tortoise approach, moving slowly but steadily and being smart about where she spent her resources.

Long-term goals, short-term objectives

One pitfall of being a small business owner is that so many things need doing that it’s hard to prioritize or attend to the big picture. Franz helps her keep focused on her long-term goals and the short-term objectives that will get her there.

Not only is he a thoughtful, intelligent, experienced sounding board for her ideas, she said, but he is constantly sending her more information that he thinks she might find useful.

“He’s very curious about what’s new and what’s changing and what the trends are,” she said.

Delegating and reenergizing

In the beginning, Beck was the business, and controlled every aspect of it. As the business has grown, she said, she’s had to give up total control. That was scary at first, she said, but Franz continued to encourage her to delegate more and trust the process. The result has been worth it, she said.

Leading Andelcare is “hugely more satisfying” now than it was three years ago, Beck said. Because of the procedures and processes she has in place, her recent growth has reenergized rather than depleted her.

“The larger I get, the more I get to concentrate on what I like to do and what I’m good at,” she said. Not every small business owner can say that, but Beck has a plan – and an advisor – and she’s sticking with them.

One of many awards; national contest next

This award is the latest in a string of recent honors for Beck and Andelcare. In 2011 the Better Business Bureau recognized Andelcare as the Western Washington Business of the Year and the Puget Sound Business Journal selected Beck as one of the Women of Influence. In 2009, 2010 and 2011 Andelcare received Better Workplace awards from the Association of Washington Business, which commended Andelcare for workplace safety, job training and advancement, and innovative benefit and compensation programs.

For more information about Andelcare, go here.

Small Business Person of the Year winners from 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam will converge on Washington, D.C. in May, when one of them will be selected as National Small Business Person of the Year during the SBA’s celebration of National Small Business Week, May 20-22.
The WSBDC has been providing one-to-one business advising, at no cost, to entrepreneurs and small business owners across the state for more than 30 years. The WSBDC network includes 32 certified business advisors working in 26 locations across the state and four international trade specialists working in Spokane and South Seattle.

“On behalf of everyone at the college and the Foundation, we sincerely thank all those who gave so generously, making this year’s luncheon a huge success. The support we received will have a tangible and beneficial impact by helping many deserving students complete their education, giving them a shot at better-paying jobs and a better quality of life for themselves and their families,” said Bill Kent, an executive with Mortenson Construction and president of the Foundation’s board.

A roster of 30 businesses, led by primary corporate sponsor Columbia Athletic Clubs, underwrote the luncheon’s entire cost, allowing every dollar given by guests to support Bellevue College students.

Ronan Farrow, special advisor to the U.S. Secretary of State for Global Youth Issues and director of the State Department’s Global Youth Issues office, and son of director Woody Allen and actress Mia Farrow, gave the keynote address. Additionally, several Bellevue College students in difficult financial circumstances spoke about how scholarships, made possible by generous donors, enabled them to stay in school and flourish in their classes.

Directed by a board of 30 community volunteers, the Bellevue College Foundation is a non-profit organization that receives and manages individual and corporate support on behalf of Bellevue College. It awards more than $100,000 annually in merit- and need-based scholarships and, since its inception in 1978, has raised more than $20 million to support scholarships and program enhancements at the college.

About Bellevue College: Chosen by 38,000 students last year, Bellevue College (BC) is one of the largest educational institutions in Washington State. BC offers associate degree programs covering the first two years of a college education as well as four-year bachelor’s degrees, certificates and continuing education programs in more than 90 professional and technical fields, such as information technology, telecommunications, business, education, health and public safety.

Thursday, April 26, 2012, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will recognize Godwin as the 2012 Washington state Financial Services Champion of the Year for her company’s positive impact on scores of small business owners and impressive results from years of contributions and advocacy efforts.

Godwin is known as the “velvet brick” for her direct yet sensitive approach when mentoring entrepreneurs. She volunteers as an accounting consultant for the NW and South Sound Women’s Business Centers, contributes to Femme Finance radio program on 1150 KKNW, in Bellevue, and gives back to the community by teaching business and financial workshops.

“Godwin does more than guide and direct,” said Seattle SBA District Director Nancy Porzio.  “Through her efforts to remove the mystery behind financial concepts, she helps companies resolve their issues and become more bankable.”

“Our financial services champion is a genuine and candid advocate who helps company owners better manage their bottom lines and positions them to more readily obtain financing,” said Assistant Associate Administrator Calvin Goings.

“We proudly recognize Audrey L. Godwin as the SBA’s 2012 Financial Services Champion of the Year,” said SBA Seattle District Director Nancy Porzio.
About the SBA Awards

An independent panel of judges selected the winner based on several criteria, including assistance given small businesses to obtain financing, advocacy for changes in the financial services industry, encouragement of the flow of investment capital to small businesses. Information on SBA’s National Small Business Week 2012 celebrations in Washington, D.C. can be found at www.sba.gov

Publisher’s Note:  Congratulations Audrey!  You should be a member of the Eastside Business Directory!

Cat Brimhall, Retail Manager, 21 Acres Market, preparing product for opening, Thursday, May 3.

The long anticipated 21 Acres retail Market opens Noon, Thursday, May 3, featuring sustainable local, farm product. Located in the new green-built Center for Local Food and Sustainable Living at 13701 NE 171st Street, Woodinville, WA  98072, the 21 Acres Market will be open year-round giving shoppers affordable options for fresh and value-added products and the opportunity to support local farmers.

Starting small with offerings reflecting the early spring season, products will become more abundant through the summer and into the high farming season in the Northwest. According to Cat Brimhall, Retail Manager, in addition to fresh product, the 21 Acres Market will also sell flour, eggs, cheeses, dried beans, hummus and other staples.

Brimhall has spent recent weeks talking to farmers, on the phone, by email and in their fields and kitchens, to develop a sourcing plan that will provide products that the local community needs and that farmers can provide in reliable quantities. “The fact that the 21 Acres Market will start small, will mean that we can provide special items grown by area farmers who are not producing large volumes and wholesaling regularly to other much bigger stores,” Brimhall said. “We are committed to paying farmers fair prices and being flexible in our needs,” she added, “so we can take advantage of working with producers who are growing the most beautiful and flavorful farm product available. This will likely mean that it will make sense for us to source things to offer customers that other grocers cannot. Each week will showcase some very special things.”

Opening day events throughout the day from Noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, May 3, include: tastings of recipes from the new Culinary Course Program; samplings of farm products; special treats for children; and, tours of the 21 Acres green-built building. Special remarks at 5 p.m. by celebrity chef and author, Graham Kerr.

The 21 Acres Market will be open Noon to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays weekly. As feedback is received from community members, market hours may be adjusted. For more information about the Market and a peak at the current product list, visit 21acres.org/Market. You can also find 21 Acres on Facebook and Twitter @21acres.