Going “Against the Grain” with Tacoma Business Leaders
The world has changed since the last SALT conference.
The most effective strategies for growing locally-rooted businesses have taken a new form. The business owners and community leaders who are having a hard time adjusting to these changes are likely forgetting three core ingredients for their recipes for growth: LOVE, CONNECTION, and COMMUNITY.
This year, SALT is about spotlighting business owners who understand that the secret sauce for success is caring for the communities you serve!
To help us re-launch our signature conference, we teamed up with 6 business leaders across the Puget Sound area to produce the “Against the Grain” series. Watch and listen closely as each of them share about their journeys and the keys to success for growing a business in Grit City:
1. Robert Stocker
The Boom Boom Room & Shake, Shake, Shake
We launched our “Against the Grain” | SALT 2024 series with Robert Stocker, co-owner of The Boom Boom Room on Sixth Ave and Shake, Shake, Shake in the Stadium District!
We asked him to tell us how he leads people to meet business goals with heart & soul!
His response?
Create an atmosphere that your staff will love working in - that love will be felt by the customers that pass through your business every single day!
2. Mike Runion
7 Seas Brewing Co.
Meet Mike Runion, co-owner 7 Seas Brewing Co. - an independent craft brewery inspired by everything there is to love about the Pacific Northwest. With locations in both Tacoma and Gig Harbor that are open daily, Mike and his team have spent the last 15 years building a company that is rooted in the spirit of adventure!
We asked Mike to share his thoughts on the ways local businesses help improve cities and he left us with some great food for thought.
3. April Black
Tacoma Housing Authority
Meet April Black, Executive Director of the Tacoma Housing Authority! Established in 1940, THA provides high-quality, stable and sustainable housing and supportive services to people in need.
Earlier this year, THA partnered with Tacoma Public Schools to support students experiencing homelessness and has been working hard to bring affordable living to the Hilltop community!
April joined us for our “Against the Grain” series to remind us that organizations cannot take care of their communities without making sure the basic needs of their employees are met first!
4. Hailey Hernandez
Side Piece Kitchen
Meet Hailey Hernandez, owner of Side Piece Kitchen - Tacoma’s one-stop shop for mouthwatering biscuits, cheesecake, and more! Their team has spent the last two years serving amazing food, collaborating with other amazing local companies in the food industry, and using their platform to speak up in times of necessity.
For this segment of the “Against the Grain” series, we asked Hailey to share her thoughts on ways a business can go above and beyond to make a life better.
She let us know that it starts with making sure everyone on your team genuinely feels valued, respected, and empowered everyday!
5. Jennifer English
Spaceworks Tacoma
Meet Jennifer English, Program Director of Spaceworks Tacoma! Founded in 2010, Spaceworks was formed as a joint initiative between the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce to implement new approaches to growing communities and supporting locally-owned businesses.
So It was only right that we had Jennifer share her thoughts on the importance of local businesses supporting local artists.
She’ll be the first to tell you that everyone wins when the two find ways to collaborate!
6. Dave and Anne Jones
Windermere Abode
Meet Dave and Anne Jones, owners of Windermere Abode! You might have seen their work featured in the New York Times, Seattle Times, and many other platforms but at the core, they are proud Tacomans that believe in the transformational power of homeownership!
To help us wrap up this year’s “Against the Grain” series, we asked Dave and Anne to share about the most important things for business leaders to remember in their journeys. The wisdom they shared about never losing sight of the long-term vision is definitely worth the listen!
SALT is BACK!
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