In my last column I focused on finding your “business hook.” But after moderating a panel of editors from the Kirkland Reporter, Puget Sound Business Journal and the Seattle Times a few weeks ago, I realized that, while many small businesses might understand the concept of a strong story hook, they may struggle to actually pitch the story.
So here’s what I’ll do: Pitch to you, the reader, the story of one of my favorite local businesses.
Many downtown businesses will stay open until 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday nights from now through Labor Day.
Now entering its second year, the Juanita Beach Friday Market will open for the first time in 2008 this Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. The market, located at Juanita Beach Park, goes through Oct. 10.
The Ashram yoga studio, which specializes in teaching hot yoga classes, celebrated its second anniversary earlier this month. The Ashram opened its doors on May 18, 2006, and has grown to offer more than 35 hot vinyasa and Bikram style classes per week. The studio marked the occasion May 18 by offering free classes to first-time clients, a raffle and a reception.
A Seattle-based women’s professional organization has named Kirkland resident Jean Thompson as one of five finalists for the 2008 Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year Award.
At a recent business networking event a nice gentleman (with a business that helps parents fund college educations without, as he said, “going broke”) approached me and pitched his business in the hope that I might get him coverage in the paper. Trying not to embarrass him, I explained I am a columnist (as opposed to a reporter) and have no influence over the type of business stories that get covered. I listened politely and thanked him for saying hello. But on the way home I realized that, although I couldn’t officially help him get his story in the paper, I could help him pitch his story in a way that might get results.
Kirkland businesses interested in bidding on public construction projects, providing professional services or supplying goods and products can now register online with a shared procurement portal, www.WaGovBiz.net.
A plea for help sent out to about 1,600 local residents last week has saved Kirkland’s Parkplace Books — for now.
I am always intrigued by the number of TV advertisements that promise a whole new look, feel or image simply by purchasing their product. But is a new image really necessary to stand out from the crowd? And when it comes to business, is there a right time or wrong time, right way or wrong way, to change your business image, especially when you’ve invested heavily in the current one?
Kirkland-based Pathway Medical Technologies, Inc., an innovator of endovascular treatments for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), announced last week it had secured a $24.5 million in financing to used to prepare for commercialization — specifically to build a sales and manufacturing organization in anticipation of the market introduction of its Pathway PV Atherectomy System.
ome girls have all the luck. Kirkland’s Shankar family has two — girls with all the good fortune, that is.
