VOICE Articles
Shur-Kleen Car Wash: How A Lacey-Based Company’s Innovations Have Changed the Car Wash Industry
by Heidi Smith Neither Andy Ryder nor Liberty Hetzler ever planned to own a car wash business. He dreamed of becoming an orthodontist and had a fascination with politics, while she had a successful career at an engineering firm before joining the industry. But as is so often the case with best-laid plans, theirs took…
Startup Playbook: Porcupine Media
by Doria Maselli As I rush into my meeting with Miguel Pineda, Director of Operations at Porcupine Media, I’m already running late and then smack into a construction detour. Miguel greets me warmly as I apologize, welcoming me into the space. Instead of four blank walls, these walls are decorated with colorful record album covers.…
The Business of Radio: An Interview with ROXY’s Mike Marohn
by Natasha Ashenhurst We speak with Mike Marohn, majority owner of 94.5 ROXY and former Thurston County Chamber board chair about his career in radio, trends and his predictions for its future. According to market researcher IMARK, radio advertising represents one of the oldest forms of advertising globally and is relatively inexpensive compared to other…
Pre-Apprenticeship ‘Construction Bootcamp’ Training Now Available
Start a Successful Career in the Construction Industry! WorkSource has once again partnered with ANEW, to provide top-notch, FREE Pre-Apprenticeship Training at the Port of Ilwaco in Pacific County. Construction Bootcamp was created as a low-barrier way to explore and learn about a variety of career opportunities in the construction industry. The instructors provide all…
The State of the Hospitality Industry in Thurston County
Annette Pitts, New CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond, to Keynote Thurston Chamber’s September Forum The Thurston County Chamber invites the community to attend the Chamber’s September Forum on Wednesday, September 8 at 11:30 a.m. at the Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake (Formerly Hotel RL). During this month’s luncheon and presentation, attendees will hear from…
ASHHO Cultural Center Brings Community Together Around Good Food and Brave Conversations
by Heidi Smith • Photos Courtesy of ASHHO For 12 years Khurshida Begum has been envisioning a space where people could unite through food and create a shared sense of belonging. While all would be welcome, she visualized a cultural community center focused on communities of color, and a place where issues that are usually…
Truss Components: Top Quality Structure for Your Building Project
by Kathryn Millhorn Behind every great accomplishment, individual, or building are unseen but vitally important components. We can’t always see behind the curtain, but we rely on the quality materials, long hours, skilled workmanship, and wealth of knowledge that goes into each success. At Tumwater’s Truss Components, they’ve spent the last three decades supporting the…
Facing Up To Chronic Homelessness
by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates, Public Policy Director for the Thurston County Chamber Homelessness is one of the greatest challenges facing our community. For this reason, the Thurston Chamber, Public Policy Division believes that focusing on chronic homelessness may be the best plan for our community. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban…