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MEP Success Stories from Washington

Tutta Bella Expands Its Business Amid Challenges, Thanks to a Job Skills Program Grant

Reported Year
2024
During the pandemic, Tutta Bella closed its Bellevue restaurant and manufacturing location and purchased a 15,000-square-foot facility in Seattle to grow its in-house fresh food manufacturing facility. In Bellevue, Tutta Bella was turning out about 2,700 items per day in a cramped space and hoped the move to Seattle would help produce 5,000 items

Flour Power: Fairhaven Mill Seeks Training to Become SQF Certified

Reported Year
2024
Customers requested Fairhaven obtain Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification and that the company get its products third-party certified by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). This prompted Fairhaven Mill to reach out to Impact Washington Chief Food Scientist Craig Doan. After a food and beverage evaluation, the project received a two-year Jobs

Investing in Lean Training During Pandemic Pays Dividends for Wood Stone Corporation

Reported Year
2023
In June 2020, Impact Washington, part of the MEP National Network™, was introduced to newly-hired VP of Engineering and Operations Fred Gapasin. After Fred reviewed his operational needs, he reengaged with proposed projects introduced by Impact Washington and the Center's partner, Whatcom Community College, that had previously been put on hold.

Popular Farmer's Market Kombucha Company Finds Growth In the Middle of the Pandemic

Reported Year
2021
Over the years, Seeking Kombucha has grown its business by attending farmer's markets across the Puget Sound region and a small presence in restaurants and breweries. In early 2020 they sought market expansion, with projections of growing significantly both locally and across the US. When COVID-19 hit, selling at farmer's markets was no longer an

Strategic Planning + Marketing – E-Commerce Support

Reported Year
2024
Karen Hartman, owner and designer of Astor & Orion, had cultivated a loyal customer base and secured a few small wholesale accounts. The company’s design, pricing, and product presentation were well-received, and Hartman had focused on the DTC (direct-to-consumer) e-commerce model. However, rising ad costs and new privacy regulations made it

Crafting Change: Crystalyn Kae's Journey to Sustainable Success

Reported Year
2023
After being introduced by the Seattle Good Business Network in 2021, Impact Washington, part of the MEP National Network™, collaborated with Crystalyn Kae to address critical growth challenges. Recognizing the need for support, Impact Washington's account executive focused on working with small and rural businesses, Miguel Moreno, initiated a
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