VOICE Articles
Local Business Owners Speak Out About Increases In Crime
by Natasha Ashenhurst Every year, Dr. Suneet Bath and volunteers help close to 100 people who need dental work but can’t afford to pay for it. They treat adult patients, providing fillings, extractions and cleanings. Dr. Bath also participates in a dance and singing show to raise money for the Union Gospel Mission. Dr. Bath…
Finding Your Path at the Olympia Career Hub
by Kathryn Millhorn Take a walk around downtown Olympia and you can’t miss the number of new buildings rising from vacant lots. The often missing and essential ingredient of these gorgeous new buildings? Builders state that the number one business challenge is finding skilled workers. Meanwhile, Olympia faces a housing shortage. These new buildings will…
Navigating Volatile Times with Olympia Computer
by Kathryn Millhorn • Photos courtesy of Olympia Computer and Dreamstime.com Keeping up with the flow of business—especially over the last few years—is tricky enough. Now imagine juggling a small business as well as cutting-edge advances in computers, technology, data security, information backup and recovery, and website management. For Erik Johnson and the staff at…
Celebrating 50 Years with TAGS Awards & Specialties
by Kathryn Millhorn • Photos by Shanna Paxton Photography Life’s crazy journey is full of ups, downs, and unpredictable moments. Any business that survives for 50 years deserves to be celebrated, praised, and studied by entrepreneurs everywhere. Olympia’s TAGS Awards & Specialties is one such icon making a positive mark in the community since 1972.…
KGY Celebrates 100 Years!
Photo by Skybear Media | Michael Delorme for the Thurston County Chamber. KGY was founded at Saint Martins in 1922 when radio stations were coming into existence. Father Sebastian Ruth, OSB, was the gentleman who officially licensed the station. KGY started with evening programming for listeners – a small operation in Saint Martins and they…
Expanding, Growing, and Reclining
by Kathryn Millhorn • Photos by Heather Harris, Elements Photography The Olympia Furniture Company has been an anchor of the West Side for nearly a decade. During that time, they’ve adapted to changing tastes, décor styles, up-and-down markets, and pandemic-induced shipping nightmares. But through it all, they kept a welcoming attitude, can-do spirit, and delightfully goofy online…
Local Aviation Company Finds Apprenticeship Program Eases Workforce Pressures
by Natasha Ashenhurst • Photos by Heather Harris, Elements Photography A&R Aviation is no stranger to innovation and pivoting to meet a need. A Federal Aviation Administration-certified shop, A&R works on Boeing and Airbus parts. Owner Ronnie Hix started A&R by repairing classic airframes in his garage. Today, A&R works on the newer generation of…
The Future of Work: A New High School Offers Hands-On Career Exploration
by Natasha Ashenhurst • Photos by Chris Groen, NTPS Career & Technical Education Department Imagine a high school where future farmers can take algebra while working in a greenhouse. Where aspiring entrepreneurs can take English literature while writing a business plan. Where future welders can enjoy chemistry while working at a local welding shop. Welcome…