Vote For Your Favorites In The BEST Of West Woodland – Neighbor’s Choice Awards

BEST of - new FB Logo - blue pic background finalYou know that breakfast spot where you always take visiting friends, or that coffee shop you love to relax at? It’s time to show your favorite local spots some love by voting for them in The Best of West Woodland – Neighbor’s Choice Awards!

The BEST of West Woodland – Neighbor’s Choice Awards wants your help in recognizing THE BEST businesses, non-profits, and more in West Woodland, Ballard!

The Best of West Woodland – Neighbor’s Choice Awards contest is asking YOU, the reader, to nominate your favorite businesses, non-profits, and more in West Woodland, Ballard in categories such as pet friendly, new restaurant, health, fitness, beauty, and more!

Now is the time to vote!
Voting is open from June 6 – July 7, 2016.
Click HERE to Vote!

The contest takes place online only. The top business, non-profit, and more nominated in each category will be considered the winner.  The winners will be announced July 2016 in a special announcement on West Woodland, Ballard Neighborhood Blog.

Nomination Eligibility:  

Any business located in or owned by someone who lives in the West Woodland Neighborhood of Ballard is eligible to be nominated for this award. A map of the West Woodland neighborhood is available here: http://goo.gl/mxPyrt

Not sure who to vote for?  

Take a look at the West Woodland Neighborhood Business Directory to help chose the BEST of West Woodland. If you don’t see your favorite business listed, let us know by emailing westwoodlandneighbors@gmail.com.

Questions? 
Please contact westwoodlandneighbors@gmail.com.

A New Home for Small Businesses in Ballard

We see it happening all over Seattle – the loss of affordable small business and art space as a result of the massive building boom taking place.  Ballard has not been immune from these changes, and in our neighborhood we have seen small businesses and artists priced out.

Today, I have good news to report!  There is a very special building rising near the corner of 15th Ave NW & NW Market Street, just south of the Ballard Safeway.  StudioWorks Ballard is creating a space like no other – to support small businesses and artists.  This small business & artist friendly building will include retail space, work studios, and a cafe. Rents start at just $240 a month and include heat & electric, as well as free access to conference rooms and other building amenities.

studio works

Photo courtesy StudioWorks Ballard

Information provided by StudioWorks Ballard:

“StudioWorks will have street front retail spaces – think specialty boutiques, florists and fun little shoppes, along with a corner café.  There will also be ground floor spaces with large access doors perfect for woodworkers, bike repair services or upcyclers.  Upstairs, on floors 2, 3 and 4 will be small offices.  Unlike co-working space, each office is completely private and come in a variety of sizes.  The offices are a great fit for start-ups and small businesses such as independent tech workers, artisans, Etsy creators and a variety of salon and therapy services.  

Spaces will be clean and bright, most utilities are included in the rent, the vibe will be community oriented and leases will be simple.  Why?  Because StudioWorks isn’t coming to you from another big developer.  It’s being brought to the neighborhood by local guys, entrepreneurs, who know firsthand how difficult it can be for small businesses to find a great space, especially in a desirable neighborhood.  Their goal was to make spaces available so local residents can afford to have the extra space they need to grow their businesses, pursue ideas, or even hobbies, outside of their homes.”

StudioWorks Ballard is scheduled to open Spring 2016 and is currently accepting applications for the café space.  For more info check out www.StudioWorksBallard.com or follow them on Facebook for updates and to find out about pre-leasing events.

Welcome to West Woodland, Ballard StudioWorks Ballard!

SBA: Free Workshop Thursday

sbaThe U.S. Small Business Administration – Seattle District Office, is hosting Free Workshop Thursday, this Thursday, January 14, 2016.  The workshops are free, but participants do need to pre-register online for each session.  If you are unable to attend the sessions in person, these events will also be broadcast live via webinar.  There are four available classes, participants can register for the full day or individual sessions.

 

Class Schedule

9:00 am: Coffee & Cash: How to Finance Your Small Business

Join us for a cup of coffee and get valuable information on borrowing money to start or grow a small business.  The SBA offers a wide range of loan programs whether your business needs $500 or $5 million, our network is here to help.

Financing experts will discuss:

  • How to determine what loan program is the best fit for your business
  • Insight into what a lender looks for when reviewing and evaluating a loan application
  • Available resources to help
  • Q&A

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn how your business can get the funding it needs.

10:30 am:  Start Your Business Right: Steps to Consider BEFORE Applying for a Business License

It’s January 2016 and companies doing business in Washington State have some new laws to follow when creating a business entity. As the starting point for 70% of all new businesses in Washington, the Secretary of State is the first stop when creating your business entity.  Learn about the general filing requirements for LLC, Corporation, Limited Partnership or even a Nonprofit. Understand how to navigate the filing process, reserving or registering a name, and annual reporting requirements.

12:00 pm: Tax Talks: What You Need to Know About Small Business Taxes

Learn the basics of small business taxes.  Tax professionals will help you understand your tax reporting responsibilities. Topics include: record keeping, expenses and deductions, estimated taxes, home offices, and areas that may trigger an unwanted IRS tax audit.

1:30 pm:  Beyond Google: Free Market Research at Your Library

Whatever stage your business is at, it’s vital to stay ahead of the competition. Information is key to success, but can be expensive or time-consuming if you don’t know where to look. Find out how to easily navigate various databases available through your local library to help you make informed decisions in your business planning, marketing, site location and market analysis. Also, gain valuable information and insights to better understand local economic conditions, customers, and more.

Registration

Attend In-Person:  If you would like attend in-person, please register HERE.

Attend via Webinar:  These events will also be broadcast as a live webinar. To attend virtually register HERE.

Questions

If you have questions about Seattle – Free Workshop Thursdays, please contact:  Contact SBA Seattle District Office  by phone 206-553-7310.

Meet The Makers

hairstream eventHairstream and Saltbox Designs invite you to “Meet The Makers” on Saturday, December 19 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at their retail locations in the West Woodland Neighborhood.

The event will feature artists, authors, crafts vendors, and live music. It’s the last neighborhood festival to shop for gifts before the Christmas holiday.  Don’t miss out!

A short list of who you can expect to see: Frida Clements Creative, Amy Hevron Studio, Kim BerkleyGhosts I’ve Met, Tomo Nakayama.  

Come and fill your totes with the fruits of their labors and be the most merrymaker yourself!

Location:  6256 3rd Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117
Date:  Saturday, December 19, 2015
Time:  4:00 PM – 8:00 pm
More Details:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1696545327248916/

No matter what you are celebrating this holiday, keep your buying power local.  More of the money you spend in the neighborhood, stays in the neighborhood.

Join The Team!

Do you LOVE the West Woodland Neighborhood? Don’t be silent about it!

team

We are looking for neighbors who are passionate about West Woodland, Ballard and want to help spread the word about our amazing small business community!

In many ways, it’s the small things that make the best neighborhoods in Seattle stand out.  In the West Woodland Neighborhood, we have a thriving small business community with a variety of unique products and services to chose from.  Our business owners greet us by name, stock products that no other stores offer, donate their time and money in the community and provide a special shopping experience that the cookie-cutter chain stores can’t match.

Interested in joining the team?  Connect with us by email for additional information.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/WestWoodlandBallard/

EMail:  westwoodlandneighbors@gmail.com

Community Small Business Workshop

November 23, 2015 by Katie McVicker

small-business-opportunity-08Seattle Parks and Recreation will host a Community Business Workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 8 from and 12 – 1:30 p.m. at Jefferson Community Center and on Thursday, Dec. 10 from 12 – 1:30 p.m. at Miller Community Center to give startups and small business owners the opportunity learn about the City’s permit and RFP process and to meet City staff and other business owners.

At the workshop, participants will learn:

  • About Seattle Parks and Recreation’s summer seasonal Request for Proposal opportunities and process
  • How to complete a seasonal Food, Activity and Fitness Request for Proposal
  • The difference between Seattle Department of Transportation and Seattle Parks and Recreation permits
  • What a leasehold tax is and who needs to pay it
  • What type of insurance is required for fitness and food vendors
  • About the City’s background check requirements and why they’re requested
  • Where to obtain a City of Seattle food permit

If you have specific questions about the workshop, email them directly to Antoinette Daniel at Antoinette.daniel@seattle.gov.

Locations:

Jefferson Community Center – 3801 Beacon Ave S Seattle, WA 98108

Miller Community Center – 330 19th Ave E Seattle, WA 98112

For more information visit: http://parkways.seattle.gov/2015/11/23/seattle-parks-and-recreation-hosts-educational-workshop-for-community-businesses/#sthash.ttITown6.dpuf