Going Into the Food Business:

What You Should Know Before Making the Leap

2010-09-30

Helen Silvis of The Skanner News

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First Harvest Blends Healthy Fare With Green Sensibilities

Michele Cruse hired chef Gio Blanco, a native Cuban with a line of island originals

2010-09-30

Lisa Loving of The Skanner News

"There’s a huge amount of support among small restaurant owners, where you can get the best products, where you can get the huge discounts"   --Michele Cruse Read the complete article

Multnomah County Showcases Equity Purchasing Policies at National Level

2010-09-30

The key issue she will address if about how local vendors and services providers of color can successfully sell their products and abilities to local government. “Social equity and sustainability are our key priorities and core values,” she said. This year’s conference theme is, “Crossroads to Raising the Bar for Contract Compliance and Diversity.” Read the complete article

Olivas Valdez Wins Minority Business of the Year

"Their commitment to excellence has helped spur job creation in the small business community"

2010-09-30

“Francisco and Robert are perfect examples of why minority-owned businesses are growing faster than any other sector in the nation,” said SBA District Director Harry DeWolf. “In this challenging recession, Francisco and Robert used their ingenuity and steadfast dedication to their business to create and sustain jobs that support our economic recovery.”
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Senate Passes Credit Lines for Small Businesses

"The new loan fund would be available to ... encourage lending to small businesses"

2010-09-30

AP

Democrats won a 61-38 vote to pass the legislation, joined by two Republicans. The measure would establish a $30 billion government fund to help open up lending for credit-starved small businesses, cut their taxes and boost Small Business Administration loan programs.
The tally gives President Barack Obama and his besieged Democratic allies in Congress a much-sought — but relatively modest — political victory Read the complete article

Surviving and Thriving in This Down Economy

Better Business Bureau offers guidance on how to improve your prospects for success

2010-09-30

The Better Business Bureau

When times are tough, some businesses freeze up, However, now is the time to be competitive, get their name out there and improve their brand.” Read the complete article

Deena Pierott Honored for Professional Achievements

always stay flexible – don’t be so rigid in your business that you end up failing in the long term

2010-09-30

Lisa Loving of The Skanner News

Vancouver resident Deena Pierott, proprietor of the diversity recruitment company Mosaic Blueprint, is winner of the Minority Enterprise Development Week Minority Business Award for Professional Services. The national honor is bestowed each year by the US Department of Commerce Read the complete article

Military Consultant Named MBE Business Person of 2010

Patrick L. Hughes of Hughes Group, LLC, of Lakewood, Wash

2010-09-30

Patrick L. Hughes, owner and managing member of Hughes Group, LLC, of Lakewood, Wash., was named national Minority Small Business Person of the Year during the 28th annual National Minority Enterprise Development Week conference in Washington, D.C.
“We are honoring the Hughes Group today for its extraordinary commitment to excellence Read the complete article

Ready, Steady, Cook

What you need to know about opening your own food business

2010-09-22

Helen Silvis of The Skanner News

You’re a great cook. You’ve always dreamed of opening your own café or catering business. And in an economy that has left so many of us downsized and dirt poor, turning your delicious gumbo into tasty greenbacks looks like an easy and fun way to weather the storm. So what’s the catch?

Pot Café Settles into North Portland Community

2009-11-24

PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) -- At the newly opened Cannabis Cafe, people sit around taking tokes from a “vaporizer” -- a contraption with a big plastic bag that captures the potent vapors of heated marijuana without causing combustion. Glass jars hold donations of dried, milky-green weed, and the cafe serves up meals and snacks for the hungry. Read the complete article