A supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald, Anacortes American and Stanwood-Camano News
WOMEN in Business
Pure Skin & Wellness Spa
What motivated you to start your business, and what steps did you take to turn your vision into reality?
(Melissa Harris, Owner)
My struggle with acne deeply impacted my self-esteem and made me realize the importance of feeling confident in one’s skin. This personal journey ignited my passion for helping others overcome similar challenges. I decided to turn my vision into reality by pursuing education in skincare and wellness, equipping myself with the knowledge to make a difference. I am dedicated to providing transformative treatments that empower clients to embrace their natural beauty and feel confident.
What changes are you seeing in the beauty and wellness industry, and how is your business evolving to meet these needs
The beauty and wellness industry is undergoing a significant shift as people increasingly reject unattainable beauty standards and focus on managing stress for a healthier, longer life.
At Pure, our mission is to nurture natural beauty and vitality, honoring each individual’s unique journey. We are evolving our services to emphasize holistic approaches, offering stress-relief treatments and wellness programs that promote overall well-being. By aligning with this mindset, we aim to empower our clients to embrace their authentic selves and prioritize self-care in their beauty routines.
What do you find most fulfilling about running your business?
What I find most fulfilling about running my business is the hustle and the challenges that each season brings. Even during stressful times I enjoy figuring out what works and what doesn’t. It’s incredibly rewarding to never give up and continuously adapt, finding solutions to make things work,
even when faced with obstacles. This resilience not only strengthens my usiness but also fuels my passion for helping clients achieve their beauty goals.
What advice would you offer to other women aspiring to start their own businesses?
For women aspiring to start their own spa businesses, my advice would be to focus on your unique vision and passion for wellness. Research the industry thoroughly to understand market trends and customer needs, and don’t hesitate to seek mentorship from experienced professionals. Build a strong brand that reflects your values and mission, and prioritize exceptional customer service to create lasting relationships with clients. Finally, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and stay adaptable, as the beauty and wellness industry is always evolving. What does the future look like for Pure Skin & Wellness Spa?
The future for Pure Skin &
Wellness Spa looks incredibly promising as we prepare to unveil our new location, which will significantly enhance our clients’ experience. With added amenities such as a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, and relaxation room, we aim to create a serene oasis for total relaxation and
rejuvenation. Additionally, we are excited to introduce new services and treatment rooms, allowing us to expand our offerings and cater to a wider range of wellness needs. This evolution aligns with our mission to nurture natural beauty and vitality, ensuring that every client feels valued and cared for on
Patrick and Sons Construction & Excavation
Whether you’re tackling home buying or home projects, Rachel Patrick has the expertise you need! .
What inspired you to start your own business?
My husband and I started our family business nearly four years ago with the dream of building a legacy to leave to our boys. We wanted the flexibility to work with, teach, and spend time with our kids while being able to make a living doing what we love to do while making a difference in our community.
When we started Patrick and Sons Construction and Excavation, LLC, I already had a thriving career in the mortgage industry. While I discovered mortgage lending completely by accident nearly a decade ago, I quickly realized that it was my passion, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else!
What sets your construction and mortgage businesses apart from others in the same industry?
What distinguishes my business and the services I offer is the heart and soul that is poured into every project and every loan transaction, it’s my passion. I see the bigger picture with each interaction –it’s not just another client, it’s someone’s DREAM! As a Senior Mortgage Loan Officer, I specialize in construction and renovation lending. And as the owner of a construction company, I have a unique perspective that allows me to approach the transaction from a place of knowledge and expertise. It’s truly incredible to be able to marry both of my careers into something so impactful.
Can you describe your typical day as a business owner?
No two days are alike! Both the mortgage and the construction industries come with a wide variety
of unique client needs. That’s what I love about it - I thrive in the face of a challenge, and I love being a part of making someone’s vision come to life! I strive to provide effective communication and timely results, with a huge focus on exceeding customer expectations.
How do you balance work and family life?
Honestly, I don’t always. Having two demanding careers and a family is a constant juggling act. Over the years my family has come to understand the nature of the mortgage industry requires that I work on weekends, evenings, and even vacations and holidays when necessary. And owning a construction company means there’s been lots of family dinners eaten on the tailgate of a truck on a jobsite, many early mornings and late nights, and plenty of weekends spent preparing for the following work week or volunteering in our community.
Quality time as a family is precious. When we aren’t working, we can be found traveling or enjoying the outdoors! We spend time camping, fishing, hunting, and swimming whenever we can!
How do you engage with the local community and support local causes?
Giving back to my community is the backbone of everything we do! One way I do this is as a board member with the Skagit Island Counties Builders Association (SICBA), so I can be directly involved in the ever-changing building industry that impacts us all. Additionally, we participate in lots of fun community events and promote local charities too. We’ve volunteered to repair playground equipment at Freedom Park on Camano Island, installed part of the new Concrete Bike Park track, organized coat and backpack/ school supply drives for local churches and schools, and we donate thousands of dollars a year to local organizations like the Boys
and Girls Club. Additionally, we source as much of our project materials as possible from local suppliers and refer work to other small businesses. That’s how we all grow, which in turn benefits our economy and our community as a whole.
Can you provide a brief overview of your businesses and the services you offer?
Patrick and Sons Construction and Excavation, LLC takes pride in providing excellence in the industry! We specialize in residential and small commercial projects such as land clearing and site prep, fencing installation and repair, drainage solutions, demolition, prefabricated building construction, and custom equestrian/farm projects.
As a mortgage lender with CrossCountry Mortgage, I enjoy the personal and professional relationships I develop while working tirelessly to guide my clients through one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. I originate purchase, refinance, construction, and renovation loans. With years of experience and a wide range of products available, I’ve got what it takes to make your dreams of homeownership a reality. Both professions allow me to engage with my clients on a meaningful level, to help bring their goals and visions to light. What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own business?
Dive in headfirst and commit daily to what drives you! Set goals, find a network of people that align with your values, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Dedicate yourself to learning and embrace the discomfort that comes with new territory and experiences. Lastly, don’t be discouraged. There will be minor setbacks, mistakes made along the way, and rejection. Let that fuel you into pushing for something even greater!
Patrick and Sons Construction & Excavation
The Hair Republic
What inspired you to start your own business?
My daughter inspired me, she was looking into doing running start but there were little to no options for Cosmetology. I was very flattered that she had wanted to follow in my footsteps I had been in the beauty industry since she was six months old. So I attended a meeting with the Attarashi Apprenticeship program and I was then able to provide that running start opportunity for her. It was a changing point in my career where I could combine my love for teaching and passion for the Beauty industry!
How do you engage with the local community and support local causes?
Once a month my salon provides a free haircut day for the Swinomish Tribal Elders. It’s very important to me to give back to my community and the elders are very dear to my heart! Early on in my career a lot of them supported me as a young stylist so it’s such an honor to take care of them now and help them feel beautiful! I also love to donate services when asked to help our local raffles and
Do you collaborate with other local businesses for events and promotions? I absolutely love to collaborate with other business owners, as I feel it’s important to connect and support other women in business. I frequently collaborate with my dear Rosa Ortiz the owner of Martha’s Bridal to do fashion shows at the local high schools in Skagit County. I also like to have small events at my salon where other small businesses can come and sell their products and we can cross promote each other and grow our businesses.
fundraisers in the community. What do you like to do for fun?
I love to craft and cook! My favorite things to make are earrings and Christmas wreaths with my daughters. And I LOVE to cook a meal for my family, especially on Sundays! That’s our big family day!
What advice would you give to other women who want to start their own business? Go for it! But definitely make sure you do your research on all the proper licensing, and requirements that you’ll need to be in complicance! As a business owner it’s important to know these things, for the safety of your consumers. And just know that there will be busy days and there will be slow days but nothing worth it is ever easy.
The Hair Republic 1600 E College Way Mount Vernon 360.54.1532
La Catrina Tacos and Tequila
Where Mexican tradition meets culinary excellence.
What inspired you to start your business?
I’ve always worked in the serve industry my dream was very to own a restaurant but to help my family help them live a better life. When the opportunity came to open my restaurant I took it without any questions
What is the story behind the name ?
La catrina represents a symbol of death not necessarily the grieving but the celebrating and remembering its full of color and the life we live after death. I chose Catrina in the way to remember my family who is not longer with me they were not able to see my business but it in honer of them
either thought they aren’t here they are able to celebrate with me.
What do you enjoy most about being a business owner ?
I enjoy being in touch with my community and serving my community and the passing travels giving them a little piece of my traditions at Catrina’s
Most rewarding aspect of owning a business?
My own personal growth I am constantly learning and developing skills like management , marketing and accounting
Biggest challenges you’ve faced being a women in business.
Being able to balance my work life with my home life and battling with traditional expectations of being a women . I’m a mom and coming home it’s sometimes it’s hard turning off that
last minute work for my business
La Catrina Tacos and Tequila 360-336-5566 lacatrinamv.com
Lang’s Horse & Pony Farm
How Long have you been operating this business?
I am a second-generation pony farmer. My mother and father started Lang’s Pony Farm in the early 1970’s with a vision of sharing their love of ponies with children in our community. My parents were very caring people, and they loved to give children a chance to enjoy our beautiful, wooded trails from the back of a gentle pony. I grew up helping my mom feed and care for the ponies. I did what was needed because we were a family farm. I am so thankful for my upbringing; I am so thankful for the opportunity to carry on my parents’ legacy. I am proud of the Lang Farm and the joy we have provided to hundreds and even thousands of families over the past 5 decades.
Tell us about your business:
My business is unique in that we are somewhere in between a riding stable and a dude ranch. We offer a variety of riding activities for children and adults. We started out with pony rides for children and a nature walk that taught children about other animals that existed on our land.
Today, Lang’s offers trail rides from ½ hour up to 2 hours. We give riding lessons, we have summer horse camps, we even offer team building experiences on horseback. Sunset Magazine did a write up in 1975 about Lang’s Pony Farm. Our farm is getting ready to celebrate our 50th anniversary. In the past 50 years, we have grown in every aspect of our business.
My family has worked for 5 decades to turn this land, which was an old gravel pit, into an equestrian park. We have made a destination location where people drive from near and far to come admire the beauty of the land, the trails, the wildlife, and our trail horses. One of my rewards for working hard is watching our lesson students, both children and adults, gain self-confidence as they learn to ride. Horses can be a great escape
for a busy, overwhelming, life. I am also overjoyed when a senior citizen is brought to ride at the farm. I enjoy listening to them reminisce about how horses played a role in their younger years.
What does your typical day look like?
My typical day as a business owner is to wake up early and plan to work a minimum of 15 hours. The horse industry is a very labor-intensive industry. Not only do we have to take care of the horses, but we must also take care of the land, the equipment, and our customers. I have a small staff of amazing people that help me keep going.
To keep this business going on a daily basis, I am working with lots of logistics. I must order grain, hay, shavings. I must schedule staff to feed, clean, and host customers. I must match up horses with riders and make sure the saddles fit each customer. I make sure to scout the trails for fallen trees or branches. I schedule farriers, veterinarians, and the tack repairman. I am constantly checking on the horses deworming, vaccinations, Chiropractics, and dental work. I am helping to answer the phone and schedule rides. I must do payroll for the employees and let’s not forget to pay taxes, insurance, maintenance on tractors, and get tabs on all of the farm trucks and trailers. Let’s also add in painting picnic tables, fixing fences, putting fresh gravel on the walking paths, cutting firewood for our cowboy campfires, and then there is raking leaves as the Fall weather sets in.
What
is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding aspect of my business is sharing this land and my amazing horses with others. I find great pleasure in watching a child climb aboard a pony for their first ride. I love hearing them say, Mom is this a real pony. I give them a chance to touch the fur, to smell their breathe, to comb their mane. So many children are not exposed
to animals, and this is a chance for them to work one on one with an equine.
What allows you to keep going when things get tough?
The most important qualities for success in this business or any business is perseverance. When the chips are down and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed, I just think about 1 day at a time. I must conquer at least one major challenge every day. I know things will get better.
As a woman in business, I am happy to show others that we can work hard and still smile. I may be exhausted, but I still greet even the youngest customer with a genuine smile.
The horse industry is one of personal gratification rather than monetary gain. You cannot put
horses and financial success in a sentence together. Horses are very costly, and our business is a low profit margin industry. I have to base my success on slow steady progress.
How do we engage with the local community and support local causes?
As a business owner, I donate thousands of dollars of my services every year that are not tax deductible. We support dozens of youth-oriented schools, sports teams, and organizations. I want to continually give back to our community.
Can you share a significant milestone or accomplishment your business has achieved?
In 2025 I will be celebrating the
farms 50th anniversary, that in itself is an enormous milestone. Over the years I have enjoyed spending birthdays, anniversaries, and other life events with our customers. I have had the opportunity to give rides to customers young and old from all over the world. I have been able to provide experiences with horses and ponies for private and public schools, military service members, clubs and the community. The farm has been used for weddings, birthday parties, senior photos and life remembrance celebrations.
Lang’s Horse & Pony Farm www.comeride.com 360.424.7630 By appointment only.
John Piazza Jr Construction & Remodeling, Inc./NextHome 365 Realty
What sets your business apart from others in the same industry?
What sets my real estate business apart from most others in the industry is the fact that I also operate with my husband a General Construction Company. This enables me to help my clients see the potential of what a home can be. Some alterations are simple ones to accomplish while others are a little more extensive, needing help from a licensed professional. ?
Can you describe a typical day as a business owner?
One thing I love about owning a construction company and being a real estate agent, is that there is no typical day at work. My days can be spent showing homes to potential buyers, writing up offers, meeting with sellers to list their property, meeting custom home
or remodeling clients, helping them pick out products for their homes, processing invoices, collecting payments, payroll, managing the office, employees and everything else it takes to run an office! I am also very active in our local builders association, (SICBA) so I often have meetings for the association. My days are also filled with meetings for the different groups I volunteer with.
How do you engage with the local community and support local causes?
I love to give back to my community where I was raised and where we raised our family. I am a founding member of One Community One Family, an organization which gives money to cancer patients in Skagit County. We belong to the Burlington and Mount Vernon Chamber of
Commerce. I volunteer for the Skagit Valley Hospital Festival of Trees. We sponsor local sports teams and the local theater groups. I like to help wherever I am needed.
What are the core values that drive your business decisions?
My core values that not only drive my business decisions but also values I live by are integrity, compassion, understanding, empathy, attention to details, respect, communication and confidence. I truly feel that what you put out into the universe, you receive back.
Travel, hobbies
I love to travel. We have traveled to lots of different places. My current favorites are Montana where our daughter lives and Belize. The Belizians are the most
welcoming and kind people and we have made many friends there. We love to visit all the sites, especially the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave Tour. Some of my hobbies are spending time with my family and friends, traveling, reading, gardening, experiencing what our NW has to offer, volunteering, playing cribbage, and decorating.
John Piazza Jr Construction & Remodeling, Inc./ NextHome 365 Realty 224 Stewart Road, Suite 130 Mount Vernon 360-424-3547 www.PiazzaConst.com Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Turning Your Dream Into Reality
Hansen’s Furniture
Furnishing Skagit and Island County homes since 1947
What do you see as the future of your industry?
Lots of fun things - new gadgets for reclining furniture. I am amazed at what they come up with. Maybe new tech in furniture.
Can you describe your typical day as a business owner?
Long days and lots of hard work. What is the most rewarding aspect of running your businesses?
Selling quality furniture and meeting customers and making them happy. You get out what you put in.
How do you stay motivated and innovative in a competitive market?
You have to show up and be there when you own your own business. You have to care because nobody else will, it means more, and that keeps you motivated. Otherwise you won’t be around. You give 150% of yourself.
What do you enjoy most about being a business owner?
You are your own boss, but with that comes a lot of work and long hours. There is a sense of fulfillment in seeing the impact it has on customers and the community.
Hansen’s Furniture
916 W. Division St., Mount Vernon (360) 424-7188, (360) 848-1450 www.hansensfurniture.com
Burlington Chamber of Commerce
Can you share some success stories or notable achievements your business has had in the community?
We support our members and businesses every day, including during disasters like the I-5 bridge collapse and the Covid crisis. We support state initiatives that benefit Burlington and Skagit County businesses. In 2020, we helped create Skagit County’s Tourism Promotion Area, and we recently established a Chamber Foundation to support education and workforce development.
At the Visitor Information Center, we promote Burlington, its amenities, and County events. The aim is to reach people outside 50 miles of Burlington to promote eating, shopping, playing, and lodging in Burlington.
Our lodging tax award, local
businesses and volunteers allow us to organize a 3-day agriculture festival every year. In 2024, over 25,000 people attended. In 2025, Berry Dairy Days will celebrate its 88th year, and admission remains FREE! Learn how to support the festival here: www.berrydairydays. com.
Can you describe any partnerships or collaborations essential to your business’ growth?
Our Chamber of Commerce members. The BCoC is dedicated to promoting local businesses and their connection to the community. BCoC membership adds value and is a powerful way to increase businesses’ profile. We distribute over 4,000 copies of our business directory while informing our members and the community about economic
changes and opportunities through our newsletters. We provide our members with workshops, learning seminars, career fairs, networking, and industry tours to assist with business and workforce development. Our connection to residents, businesses, and tourism is essential to sustained engagement and economic growth.
What message or inspiration would you like to share with the community and aspiring women in business?
Get involved in the community. We have several networking events within the county that will get you out there to establish the relationships needed to grow your brand and reputation. Strong women leaders in Skagit County are always willing to mentor you to be the best. Skagit County is known for word-of-mouth recommendations,
so ensure you are at the tip of someone’s tongue in your professional or personal expertise.
If you want to learn more about getting involved, please contact us. We would love to help you succeed. Your success is our community’s
success. Our door is always open, and the coffee is always on!
Burlington Chamber of Commerce 360-848-0939
831 S Burlington Blvd, Burlington burlington-chamber.com
Chique Boutique Salon/Sharlie’s Curvy Clothes
What motivated you to start your business in this particular industry?
When I opened my salon in 2012, I wanted to create a workspace environment for myself and my clientele to feel comfortable and at home in my creative space and atmosphere. Ultimately, I wanted to feel at home in my business and profession and help my clients feel that way when they sat in my chair. As for my clothing boutique business that I started in 2023, what motivated me was that I wanted to add more of a versatile experience to my business, catering specifically to curvy women who want to have a fun, personal, and unique shopping experience. So that women can shop locally in person, where they can see, try on, and shop for beautiful clothing.
What motivates you to keep
going when things get tough?
When things get tough, I am reminded of the fantastic relationships I have built with my clients and customers, who trust me with their beauty and fashion needs. Those excellent connections motivate and inspire me to keep going while remembering my goals and dreams helps me move forward even during the most challenging times.
What skills and qualities do you believe are essential for an entrepreneur?
Having a positive attitude that realizes it is okay to make mistakes and learning from them, whether good or bad, every experience is a learning opportunity to improve. You need to be adaptable; not everything will turn out how you want it to; you just have to keep pressing forward and working hard.
How do you see your business contributing to the growth and development of the local economy?
The diverse combination of beauty services and a boutique, especially one catering to curvy women, fills niche markets and attracts more customers. This diversity can draw local clients and visitors into downtown Mount Vernon, boosting foot traffic in the area. As a salon and a boutique, my business helps women feel more confident, which can positively impact their personal and professional lives. The Chique Boutique Salon and Sharlie’s Curvy Clothes serve as a service provider and a hub for growth, empowerment, and local economic enrichment in Skagit Valley.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your business?
Meeting women, hearing
their life stories and passions, and making long-lasting connections and relationships. I love helping women recognize and appreciate their natural beauty, whether through a fresh hairstyle, eyelash extensions, or helping someone find clothing that flatters their body. Also, shopping for clothes can be challenging and discouraging for many curvy women like myself. However, providing a boutique where they can find stylish and flattering clothing helps make them feel seen, appreciated, and beautiful.
Chique Boutique Salon/ Sharlie’s Curvy Clothes 360-599-4330 chiqueboutiquesalon.com
Allstate Insurance / Annette Booth
Celebrating 18 years of Business: A Journey of Gratitude and Building Relationships.
What inspired you to start your own business?
After working for others for over 15 years, I realized I wanted to run my own business and control my own destiny. After leaving my last role fundraising for the Girls Scouts of Western Washington, everything fell into place when a friend who had been an Allstate agent for many years told me about opportunities to start my own insurance agency. I took a bold step and secured a second mortgage on our home to cover the down payment needed to establish the agency.
I find immense fulfillment in working directly with people and helping them navigate their insurance needs. Over the past 18 years as a business owner, my initial inspiration has evolved significantly, with each year bringing new challenges and opportunities for growth.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced as a woman in business?
Starting in a new industry with no clients, I know firsthand what it is like to build a business from the ground up. Over the years, I have successfully transformed it into a thriving agency.
Women in business have historically faced gender bias and cultural barriers. For me, access to funding was a significant challenge, especially in the critical early years. In the first ten years, I often struggled with cash flow issues, making it difficult to cover marketing and operational expenses. Like many other businesses, and small ventures, I sometimes had to take out highinterest loans or borrow funds from family just to keep the business running and meet payroll. I even sold a pair of diamond earrings I had purchased years back, to make
payroll for my first employee.
While people often say you are “lucky” to own a small business, many do not see the struggles that come with it. With nine employees, I am responsible for supporting nine families each month. I would say access to working capital is always an issue for small and large businesses.
In addition to financial hurdles, achieving a work-life balance remains a constant challenge. Managing client demands while ensuring quality time with family and friends is essential.
What advice would you give to other women who want to start their own businesses?
My advice would be to embrace resilience and stay committed to your vision. Building a business is a journey filled with challenges and
rewards, but perseverance is key. Surround yourself with a supportive network, seek mentorship, and be open to learning from both successes and setbacks.
What do you think are the most important qualities for success in business?
Resilience is crucial; there will always be roadblocks—some small, others significant. You also need the ability to pivot when necessary. Running a small business requires constant nurturing, analysis, and adaptation to thrive.
What motivates you to keep going when things get tough?
I genuinely love what I do— helping people and families understand their insurance needs. While insurance can seem straightforward, it often involves
complex decisions.
Building relationships with clients and understanding their unique situations motivates me to provide tailored solutions. Every client has a unique insurance story, and I find joy in helping them piece it together.
What do you see as the future of your industry?
The insurance industry is robust, particularly as it provides services mandated by law, such as auto and homeowners’ insurance.
Clients will continue to seek exceptional customer service and will remain loyal to agents who genuinely care and educate them about their options. I cherish the long-term relationships I have built over the years with clients, some of whom have been with Allstate for decades.
On the carrier side, insurance companies will need to adapt their underwriting guidelines to address challenges like climate change and global pandemics, ensuring they meet the demands of a rapidly evolving world and still make premiums affordable for consumers.
What do you like to do for fun?
In my downtime, my husband and I enjoy spending time with our four rescue dogs, one who we adopted from the Humane Society of Skagit County. We love gardening and growing our own vegetables in the summer, and we cherish our trips to the beautiful Washington state coast whenever we can.
Allstate Insurance / Annette Booth 360-848-0939
831 S Burlington Blvd, Burlington
The Pacific Northwest is home to some
truly incredible women.
From business owners to industry leaders and those who make our community stronger with the services that they provide.