CELEBRATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS BUSINESS WOMEN HAVE MADE ON ORCAS ISLAND
An advertising supplement published by the Islands’ Sounder
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DH Jones Design
Blankenship wins award
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Wednesday, October 22, 2014 • The Islands’ Sounder
The Women Business Owners, one of the Puget Sound’s leading organization for women entrepreneurs, has named Eastsound business owner Jill Blankenship as the winner of its 2014 Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year Awards Competition. Blankenship was honored at the Oct. 2 sold-out Nellie Awards Gala held at the Four Seasons Hotel, Seattle. Blankenship is pictured above on the left. Since 1982, the award has honored Puget Sound region women who have enhanced the status of women entrepreneurs through their vision, perseverance and fearless leadership in business and the community. To qualify, a nominee must own at least 51 percent of her business, have owned it
for five years or more and have three or more employees. Candidates are judged on their entrepreneurial spirit, ethics and community commitment, financial and management skills and the risk undertaken to achieve success. Jill moved to Orcas in 1998 and recognized its economic dependency as a tourist destination. She created Frontline Call Center as a response to the need for year-round island based employment. Jill has also been an active member of the community for 14 years serving in various community leadership positions including the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce and the San Juan County Economic Development Council. Her passion for helping others led her to be the philanthropist behind Orcas Angels, whose mission is to serve the economic needs of island citizens and develop partnerships with other charities, thus meeting needs that aren’t met by traditional government resources. Since opening the Eastsound location, Jill has opened call centers in rural communities in 11 other states, and in 2013 was named the Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. “Jill’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions to seasonal employment has changed entire communities. Her ground-breaking approach and community involvement truly mirrored the innovation and tenacity displayed by Nellie Cashman herself,” said Kay Smith-Blum, 2013 Nellie winner and judge of the 2014 competition.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014 • The Islands’ Sounder
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A look back at women in business by CHERIE SARRETT Journal of the San Juans Sales Manager
From 1964 to 2014 the changes for women in business has been significant. When I first started working in 1967, women made up a very small part of the total workforce. Although the Equal Pay Act of 1963 was in place at that time, women only made 66 percent of the income that their male counterparts made. Yet we were happy to be working. Who were we? Were we the ladies from “Mad Men”? Were we the beautiful wife who could survive on her looks, the voluptuous secretary with benefits or the naïve, well educated, driven woman who wanted to work in a man's world and be treated as an equal? We were all of these women. We wanted to bring home the bacon and still be the best mother and wife possible. Now that we had the chance, we wanted to do it all. My experiences in the workforce in the 1960s were much like you see on TV. The term “being hit on” was evident daily. We were attractive, we wore skirts, therefore we were
free game. There was no lack of dodging the hands that lingered a little too long or the ever-present sexual remarks and innuendos. I remember making $1.89 an hour and being told I was lucky to be making that “as a woman.” In part, we believed it. But in our hearts we knew our value, and we were willing to wait it out and prove our worth as productive employees no matter how long it took. We instilled in our daughters the need to have a career, to be able to take care of ourselves and our families. My father died when I was 8 years old, and I watched my 8th gradeeducated mother struggle to support two children while working two jobs: grocery clerk and cook at the school cafeteria. I didn't want that for me or for my daughters. I couldn't see taking the chance at being blindsided by the loss of the bread earner and not be able to recover. By 2008, 56 percent of women were in the workforce up from 42 percent in 1975. But the pay for full-time working women in 2008 was still only 82
percent of a man's income. Statistics show that it will be 2085 before we actually make the same as our male equivalents. Even today the glass ceiling is hard to break through. Women comprise only 4.6 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs. We have made strides, but not great strides. I believe
part of this is still the “good ole boy network” along with the “work-life” struggle that women contend with. It has been a struggle. But from someone who has been a part of this struggle for almost 50 years we are still strong and we are still women of substance and passion.
The women of…
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Mandy Nigretto Thank you to all of my customers who have made my business such a success! I love my work and look forward to giving you a great salon experience. Please contact me at Mandy’s Hair Haven, Eastsound, 376-7376, Monday through Friday, by appointment, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., evenings available.
Fri PTA Karey Keel-Stidham Patient Coordinator Anne Pekuri PT Alyson Stephens, MSPT PTA Nancy Frey Accounting Assitant Blythe Simpson P.T. Tech/Aide Heather Ostle P.T. Tech/Aide Renae Harvey Mon-Fri 8-4, by Appointment • 376-6604 www.OrcasIslandpt.com
Thank you to the many women in business who make our community special.
The women of the Lower Tavern
46 Prune Alley, Eastsound www.lowertavern.com • 376-4848
L to R: Rita Bailey, Adrienne Vierthaler, RDH; Luann Pamatian, Michelle Wohlford, RDH; Debbie Shaw and Janna Carter; not pictured, Danielle Hamasaka
Monday-Friday 8 to 5 p.m. 376-2656 • 83 Mt. Baker Road www.orcasdentist.com cavityslayer@gmail.com
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Wednesday, October 22, 2014 • The Islands’ Sounder
Serving Orcas Island customers with a smile by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONG Editor/Publisher
Lisa Crowe spent well over a decade running a kitchen for hundreds of young campers. Now she is out from behind the stove and oversees a well-loved island tavern.
“You get to meet all kinds of different people, and we have a great staff,” said Crowe, who manages the Lower Tavern in Eastsound. “I like the business side, too. I love to do the ordering and scheduling and handling money. I am hands-on with it.” Crowe was the food
360 376-6566 18 Haven Road, Suite 120
Lots of items for the special woman or man on your list. Stop in and see what’s new!
Thank you for supporting me in 36 years of business on Orcas Island! ~Denise Wilk
service director of Camp Orkila for 15 years before moving on to the tavern five years ago. Owner Jim Passer had been asking her for some time but she wasn’t ready to make the leap. “It was a hard decision for me but I wanted to spend more time with my daughter, Hailey. I was working so much,” she said. When she is not at the tavern, Crowe is with Hailey, now a senior at Orcas High School. “If I am not working, I am at the barn with our horses or hanging out with Hailey,” she said. “She only has a year left of school, so I am trying to grab every second with her.” Prior to moving to Orcas, Crowe worked for a high volume catering restaurant and a horse breeding farm in Issaquah. She came to the island for a seasonal position at Camp Orkila and never left. “I had never been to Orcas even though I grew up in the Pacific Northwest,” she said. “I got off the ferry and thought it
was just gorgeous.” She met future husband Erick at The Bungalow, which was located in the building that is now the White Horse Pub. Erick is the manager of San Juan Propane – Orcas. In addition to two horses, the Crowes have four dogs in their family: Ruby, a Doberman, two mini Aussies named Bandit and Red Red and Sullie, a heeler/corgi mix rescue from Texas. Lisa says she loves running the Lower Tavern. “Jim is quick-witted and keeps you on your toes,” she said. “He is also one of the most caring people. He does what he can to help people and he doesn’t want any recognition.” Lisa says their greatest challenge right now is staffing. The restaurant has experienced an increase in business but there is also more competition, which means potential staff members are working elsewhere. “The island is so much busier but it’s a great problem to have,” she said.
Lisa Crowe is manager of the Lower Tavern.
Cali Bagby/Staff Photo
There are a lot of exciting things happening at Frontline Call Center this year. We have opened a new division called Frontline Services where we are now providing professional services to a company that provides our call center software and have been able to hire 5 new employees in our Orcas Island office. The ability to open a business in the San Juan Islands has never been easier with today’s technology that allows people to work from anywhere. Businesses today no Jill Blankenship longer require that you have to meet on site before they will hire you. Through web based screen sharing and video conferencing the ability to meet with companies and run meetings can be done virtually. Thinking outside the box and positive affirmations have allowed me to continue to grow my companies and I look forward to the future and what I can do next! Henry Ford was right when he said, “Whether you think you can or think you can't – you're right.” Your belief system, like your computer, doesn't judge what you input; it simply accepts it as the truth. The key to cultivating and maintaining a positive mental attitude is to use your power of choice and take control of your thinking. It's a challenging task to develop a calm, focused mind, but well worth the effort.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014 • The Islands’ Sounder
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Ray’s: a family-run pharmacy by COLLEEN S. ARMSTRONG Editor/Publisher
Over the years, Marlace Hughes had thought about owning Ray’s Pharmacy. And after it unexpectedly became a reality seven years ago, it’s where her heart is. “I love being a small business owner and serving the community on Orcas,” she said. More than a decade ago, Marlace met her future husband Rick at Ray’s Pharmacy. He was visiting his father, who made the fateful introduction. Marlace later moved to San Francisco, where Rick was working for ESPN. Before she left Orcas, Marlace told pharmacy owners Jack and Robin Becker: if you ever want to sell, give me a call. Several years later Rick quit his job, and the Hughes came back to the island for a brief respite before considering a move to Seattle. During that time, the Beckers took Marlace up on her offer and asked if she wanted to buy the pharmacy. “We thought it would be a great experience to raise a family on Orcas and run a business that will help the people of Orcas Island,” Marlace said. “And we saw potential for growth ... It’s pretty funny that now we own the business where we met.” Since purchasing Ray’s, Marlace has increased inventory, expanded the toy room, listened to customer input for needed items, expanded and modernized the pharmacy department and added insurance plans so more islanders would have prescription coverage. In addition to prescriptions, supplements and vitamins, the pharmacy has a wide array of health and beauty products, jewelry, candles, housewares, clothing, shoes, candy, specialty chocolates, wine, cards and gifts for just about any occasion. “We want to be one-stop shopping for people,” she said. Marlace says customer service is a key part of her business philosophy – it is critical to build a loyal customer base to carry them through the lean winter months. “Good customer service is what keeps people coming back,” she said. “We are grateful for our year-round customers. I hope everyone
supports local businesses because it is so important to local economy.” While Rick has lent his support along the way, the business has always been Marlace’s venture. She oversees 14 employees and says having a great staff is key. “Our goal is to have one big family where everybody helps each other out,” she said. “I am so appreciative of my staff.” When she is not busy running the pharmacy, Marlace is enjoying her 10-year-old son Ricky. Rick was elected to the San Juan County Council two years ago. Marlace says he has wanted to be involved with politics for a long time. “We have been very fortunate that everything has fallen into place,” she said.
Cali Bagby/Staff Photo
Marlace Hughes owns Ray’s Pharmacy in Eastsound.
Wendy Shinstine A few days prior to the school year in 2006, my boys and I (who are now away at college) traveled from the Toronto area of Canada to take a look at the Orcas Christian School. We fell head over bunnies and deer in LOVE with the island. Then after meeting the warm welcoming islanders and the OCS staff and teachers we knew Orcas Island was to be our new lovely home. Born and raised near Seattle in a home where contracting and property developments were a central part of life, both residential and commercial investments seem second nature to me. Education and working as a project administrator for my father’s commercial firm prepared me for my next 15 years in Ontario, Canada after marrying. Aside from our main company of manufacturing and distribution of hospital charting products, we invested in century homes to restore as well as commercial warehouses and properties for side companies we opened – one of which was a 400-seat restaurant with a pub. Residing in a completely “gutted” restaurant that we remodeled into a home (commonly known as The Old Upper) my sons and I enjoy a fantastic view from windows to work, plan and dream in front of. Only a little over two years new to my real estate license and I’ve had successful closing deals: an island log home with guest house, the waterfront Vern’s Bayside Restaurant (now The White Horse Pub), and a personal purchase of a home near Gateway Real Estate in Puyallup. I chose to hang my license with Gateway after my first starting months with Windermere since I was already working with my father’s commercial broker as my mentor. Current listings include a private 40 acre estate on Hood Canal with over 2000’ of waterfront, a beautiful vacant lot on Orcas with zoning for multi-family on Enchanted Forest, also a gorgeous 11 acre parcel with water view near Shipsbay on Colgan Creek road that can be developed into 2 acre lots, and the new “rising star” of entertainment – The Random Howse in Eastsound: a restaurant with live music, theater and dancing venues. Working with buyers, sellers, Orcas Recycling Services board and the community as a whole on beautiful Orcas Island has enriched my life in numerous ways – it truly feels like my forever home. I would be happy to serve in anyway. Please don’t hesitate to call.
www.orcasislandproperties.com 360 298 5950 • wendyshinstine@gmail.com
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PERSIAN RUGS ACCENT ACCESSORIES, ANTIQUES GIFTS, JEWELRY, ORIENTALIA, FURNITURE LOCATED IN OUR HOUSE MALL (360) 376-4538 KAY MORGAN MILLER OWNER I have enjoyed watching the community thrive and being an active volunteer in many organizations. My shop focus is to have just the right thing for you – antiques, collectibles, furniture, accent accessories, art, books, jewelry, Persian rugs (which are a particular interest of mine), and other treasures of the heart – to help give our lives more sparkle. I’ve been in business on Orcas since 1974, which probably makes it the oldest business on the island.
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Wednesday, October 22, 2014 • The Islands’ Sounder
Helping other women in business grow by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONG Editor/Publisher
Without meaning to, much of Mary Ann Sircely’s career has been centered around women. In the 1980s, she launched a quarterly publication about women’s issues. For years she has been involved with an advocacy group in Pennsylvania that helps pass legislation for women’s rights and tackles issues like health care and voting. And the majority of her marketing firm’s clients are females.
A Touch of Rejuvenation Walk-Ins Welcome!
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Insurance Services
Home | Auto | Commercial | Aviation Insurance
New location!
Michele Wiley and her business Chele Enterprises are celebrating two years on Orcas Island and expanded into a new space! The business is now located in a larger office in Suite #106 in the Village Plaza on Michele Wiley North Beach Road. licensed independent agent Michele is a licensed independent agent with Chele Enterprises, LLC/Madrona Point Insurance Services. She has numerous connections in the greater Seattle and Arlington-Smokey Point area and the San Juan Islands. She represents many insurance carriers including Chubb, Kemper, Premier Marine, Travelers, Hartford and Progressive and many lines for commercial, general and professional liability. With her strong commitment to community, Michele volunteers at the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce, Orcas Island Historical Museum and Arlington-Smokey Point Chamber of Commerce as an ambassador. Contact Michele Wiley today for a free insurance estimate!
“It is very rewarding to help women in business grow,” she said. Before moving to Orcas in 2010, Mary Ann lived in Pennsylvania. After studying government, journalism and fine arts at Connecticut College, she worked as a reporter and editor at the Bucks County Courier Times. That is where she met her husband of 38 years, Harry, a photojournalist. He passed away this July from cancer. After her time at the newspaper, Mary Ann worked as a freelance journalist. When Macintosh computers came out, the direction of her career shifted. “With Macs, I was able to do all my own page design,” she said. Mary Ann launched the Bucks County Woman, a quarterly publication that highlighted local business owners. In 1987, she started Sircely Marketing and Design, which offers full service communications. Mary Ann does website development, marketing strategies, logo and branding work and print materials. Her specialty is multi-media packages. “I was trained in traditional journalism and I apply all those same principles to my graphic design work: honesty, ethics and integrity,” Mary Ann said. “If the client doesn’t agree, then we aren’t a good fit.” Her oldest son Matthew moved to Port Townsend a dozen years ago and every time she and Harry would visit him, they never wanted to go home. “We fell in love with the whole area. And then we discovered Orcas,” she said. When they moved to the island, their son Erik came to design and build their home. He decided to stay and resides in Deer Harbor. Their only son not in the Northwest is Jason, who lives in Colorado. Mary Ann has kept a lot of her clients from Pennsylvania in addition to those she has on Orcas. She works with freelance writers and artists to keep up with the workload. Her favorite projects are ones that are versatile. “When you can come up with a design that transcends the medium, when it can be used for many different things – that is my favorite,” she said. One of her recent jobs was an all-island mailing for OPAL Community Land Trust. “There were too many fonts, too many colors – I broke every rule. But there were so many people who contributed to it. It was such a fun project,” she said. Much of Mary Ann’s time on Orcas has been spent caring for Harry, who battled lung cancer for years. Now she wants to spend more time on her sailboat, take hikes on the island and raise her four-month-old chocolate lab, Rollo. Harry saw a photo of the litter prior to his death and was happy that Mary Ann would be raising a pup in his absence. “Rollo gets me out of the house. It’s good for me,” she said.
Center Works Studio M O N K E Y PUZZLE C
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What Monkey Puzzle offers is a space to not only design your own jewelry but also to design your own jacket or vest. Sallie Bell has created patterns for the vests and jackets, but the clients become an integral part of the process when they choose the colors and the pattern of their choice.
365 North Beach Road, #106, Eastsound 360-376-5707 office | 360-722-2802 direct
www.cheleent.com
Colleen Smith Armstrong/Staff Photo
Above: Mary Ann Sircely with her four-month-old lab Rollo Left: The cover of Bucks County Woman, a publication that Mary Ann launched in Pennsylvania.
360-376-2275
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Eastsound, WA
Pilates and Gyrotonic (TM) to transform your body, your life, your world Teaching since 2005, Anne Marie Schultz is delighted to be joined in the studio by fellow teachers Renee Segault and Vicki Sare. Together we invite you to join us for inspired teaching and the compassionate support to create the strength, flexibility, and change you dream of in your body and your life. We welcome athletes, people who love a good workout, people who need to get back to working out, people who's bodies are healing or are in recovery. Curious? Call for your free consultation today! 188 A Street (in the front of the Athletic Building) 360.376.3659 / www.orcaspilates.com
Wednesday, October 22, 2014 • The Islands’ Sounder
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Orcas Fire & Rescue thanks its women firefighters & EMTs
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The women of
Studio Mierau Margi, Tina, Susan, Kristin, Jodi and Hailey
Liane Olsan
ACE-Certified Personal Trainer
Fitness training at home or Orcas Athletics
360-376-5511 • leo@rockisland.com
Women in Business at…
EMT/FF ladies of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (L to R): Rita Harvey, Shawn Petro, Patricia Ayers, Beth Wangen, Hilary Canty, Lanae Benner, Arna Robins, Annalies Schuh, Kari Schuh, and Rachel Harvey (in back). Absent from the photo were: Jennifer Corbin, Maria Nutt, Jaylin Peacock, Lesley Preysz, Lindsay Schirmer, Jill Sherman, Heather Thomas, and Monique Turner.
Offering hair services, nail services, tanning & great entertainment. 188 A Street, Eastsound 376-7667
The Women of ORCAS ISLAND R E A LT Y l l c Deborah Hansen Victoria Shaner Kristen Slabaugh L i s a B o t i l l e r Wo l f o r d Mar y Clure Elaine Goodrich
Left to right
Angie Boucher, Christina Savell, Wendy Hamaker, Robin Becker, Marlace Hughes
360.376.2145 376-2230 (376-3693 after hours) Store Hours Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30 am-6 pm, Sun 10:30 am-4 pm Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm Pharmacy Hours
PO Box 171 Eastsound, WA 98245 www.orcasislandrealty.com LOCATED NEXT TO THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM ON NORTH BEACH ROAD
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Our Women In Business
The Women of
Wednesday, October 22, 2014 • The Islands’ Sounder
T Williams Realty
Women of the Islands’ Sounder
Colleen Smith Armstrong, editor and publisher.
Our attentive team
provides a professional suite of Consumer and Business banking products.
We also offer:
Secure Online and Mobile Banking Wireless Credit Card Services Loans and Lines of Credit including Home Energy Improvements Affordable Housing Specialist
475 Fern Street Eastsound, WA 98245 (360)376-BANK (2265)
~Community Banking Since 1981~ ®
Islanders Bank
www.IslandersBank.com
Cali Bagby, assistant editor and web editor.
Roxy Marck, Beth Holmes, Mandy Randolph, Marlis Sandwith, Mary Ann Sircely. Seated: Tina Brown, Sandi Friel and Teri Williams.
Collaborating for success in a competitive market with energy, integrity, action, honesty, intention, knowledge, independence, community, friendship, family.
Joanna Massey, circulation manager.
Call 360-376-8374 365 North Beach Road Eastsound
www.twilliamsrealty.com
Need a Marketing Lift?
Rachel Newcombe, L.I.C.S.W
Writer and graphic designer Mary Ann Sircely is a seasoned marketing professional who brings more than 25 years of experience to businesses and nonprofits on Orcas Island. Her passion is to help others succeed by putting smart marketing strategies and creative design to work for clients in print and on the web. Turn to Sircely Marketing & Design for exceptional: • Marketing strategies • Branding and logo design • Website design, website development and search engine optimization • Print and promotional materials. MARY ANN SIRCELY
Call 360.376.2830 | www.sircely.com
Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis 374 North Beach Road Eastsound, WA • (360) 376-5883
Kathryn Sherman, graphic artist.
Orcas Island Canvas Tara Hubbard, owner of Orcas Island Orcas Island Canvas, canvas saIls designs and and creates
customized canvas for Tara Hubbard, the boats, outownerawnings of Orcas and Island door furniture. Canvas and Sails, has been an avid sailorinand boater Specializing marine for nearly her entire life. canvas, Tara also enjoys After working in a sail loft working create unique and in Seattlewith for 8customers years, Taratoestablished her own personalized covers and enclosures Orcas Island based canvas company, for their specializing in marine canvas and sail repairs. homes, decks and outdoor living spaces. designed, IfTara youhas have a canvascreated projectand thatrepaired you’ve customized canvas for boats, awnings, outdoor been thinking of or you need to repair existbathtubs, outdoor furniture, and even a saw ing givetoTara a call atconstruct 376.7245typical or mill!canvas, She loves design and email her orcasislandcanvas@gmail.com. and unusual projects, and welcomes even the most unique and creative opportunities. Tara offers pick up and delivery service.