Startup Blog
Let’s talk branding
By Mazzy EckelKey takeaways: Your brand is just as important as your idea. It is the way you communicate your business to potential clients and make your idea seen, understood, and remembered. The Young Entrepreneur Academy features 10 learning units, including...
Creating your own path
By Mazzy EckelKey takeaways: Real-world experience matters more than titles and entrepreneurship builds both. Waiting for permission can hold you back; creating your own opportunity can move you forward. The Young Entrepreneur Academy (YEA) is designed to provide...
Introducing the Young Entrepreneur Academy
Aspiring entrepreneurs have a lot to consider, and those challenges are even greater for teens and young adults. The Young Entrepreneur Academy (YEA) was designed to support them from generating big ideas to marketing, managing burnout, and navigating taxes and legal...
BizFair: A shortcut to business success
The journey to starting your business often feels like a long and winding road trip. There seems to be so many proverbial stops along your route before you can post your “open” sign. Whether you have a physical or virtual storefront, The Office of Economic Development...
Helping Entrepreneurs Grow
Commerce-sponsored mentorship program creates strong relationships that spur business growth “I now have a mentor and friend for life." Jason Haase is the Chief Executive Officer of Meadow Creature, a Vashon-Island based company that manufactures Meadow Creature®...
Ready for a Deep Dive?
Anyone who snorkels or scuba dives knows the value of going deeper into the water. The things you see and learn spark further curiosity and offer further insight about the world beneath the surface. The same is true for the discipline of marketing your business. It’s...
The Next Big Thing–A Tribute to Robb Zerr
Last month, the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness (OEDC) experienced a tremendous loss with the passing of our colleague, Robb Zerr. At his death, Robb was the managing director of OEDC’s Rural and Marketing Services at the Washington State Department...
Strengthening Communities with Business Capital
At the Washington State Department of Commerce, we believe entrepreneurs and small business owners drive our economy. The Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness (OEDC) is just one of the divisions within Commerce that is hard at work helping fuel the...
Is it time to Scale Up?
ScaleUp: Helping you create a path to seven figures for your business On the first day of the New Year, a lot of people make resolutions, often with a greater goal in mind. Let’s say you might want to visit the historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, a 15th-century Inca...