S2 EP4: Small Business Recovery in Seattle
In this episode we are excited to partner with our friends at The Evergrey to highlight the stories of three small business owners in Seattle. We had some technical difficulties in the production of this podcast so you will notice that one of our guests does not introduce herself in the beginning. This was due to the fact that we had to re-record some of her answers.
This episode allows our guests to talk about the importance of recovery and how it impacts small business owners in the region. We are grateful to be joined by Hallie Kuperman, owner of the restaurant Tin Table and the dance hall Century Ballroom ; Laura Clise, owner of small business focused Intentionalist; and Ren Caldwell, owner of community space for movement and connection Strive & Uplift.
Our guests talk about some of their favorite businesses that gave them a sense of belonging and what they need from the government and community as we look towards recovery.
Listen to our guests as they offer their perspectives as small business owners. It's a delight to be able to share connections and stories with the people who make our region truly unique.
00:55 - Guests introduce themselves (missing Hallie's response due to technical glitches)
1:15 - Laura Clise's short introduction
1:59 - Ren Caldwell's short introduction
3:10 - Frank introduces the question to start - Talk about a business or store growing up where you felt like you really belonged
3:55 - Laura talks about Perché No - a family-run Italian restaurant that closed in December of 2019.
7:57 - Hallie talks about how she can't think of a specific business but talks about growing up in the world of theater starting in high school
9:40 - Ren talks about a martial art studio that taught the Vietnamese style Cuong Nhu and the master of the style's impact on her development
14:00 - Frank asks his guests about the re-opening of Washington state on June 30 and what that can mean for small businesses
15:12 - Ren talks about her mixed feelings around the re-opening of spaces and places. She talks about how Strive & Uplift had a physical gym space but had to give it up during the pandemic.
16:26 - Found an opportunity to connect virtually that allowed more accessibility to the gym's classes
19:02 - It's going to take awhile and it's going to be weird and there will be step backs but thrilled at the community that was founded this past year
20:36 - Frank asks Ren to tell us about any project that she would like to pitch or amplify
21:05 - Ren noticed that all the gyms that used to offer online classes are shutting them down to move into a physical space. Strive & Uplift is not going to shut down their online classes. Asks that other gyms reconsider shutting down their virtual classes completely.
22:20 - Talks about the different classes they have - yoga, Pilates, and kettle bells to name a few. https://www.striveanduplift.com/ and @striveanduplift on IG
24:49 - Hallie talks about a cabaret show that's coming on at Century Ballroom/Tin Table every Thursday night that includes dinner. They are extending this up through July!
27:45 - Hallie thinks that things will return to normal faster than people think for partner dancing outside
29:00 - Confusing information from CDC about masks off for vaccinated people and then what the WA Health Department says keep your masks on even if vaccinated. Hard as a business to figure out what to uphold and what to ask for.
33:42 - Laura talks about how Strive & Uplift and Century Ballroom are the kind of businesses other people in Seattle would point to as examples of places that give you a sense of belonging
34:43 - Started Intentionalist because many small businesses wondered if they still belonged in our region
36:00 - Laura opines about reopening and recovery. Recovery isn't a date or a moment, it's a process
38:20 - We need empathy as we being to re-engage with our small businesses - we need to see them for more than just the products and services they offer
40:00 - Saw so may examples of people reconnecting with their vibrant and diverse community. Where we spend our money matters.
41:35 - For years, Intentionalist's community has asked what they can do to support the work. They announced the Intentionalist Membership community. Coalesce the community into something powerful for good
43:30 - Laura talks about how to support businesses as we celebrated AAPI Heritage month and now as we celebrate Pride month!
Thank you again to the Big Phony, a Korean-American singer/songwriter living in Seoul, South Korea for allowing us to his music in our intro and outro, all royalty-free!