Week 5:
Exciting Partnership

July 28, 2018

Ventures & Chase Incubation Partnership

On Monday we had an exciting check presentation during the last day of the guest Artisan Pop-up Market at Pike Place Market. J.P. Morgan Chase awarded a grant to Ventures!

“The funds will allow Ventures to expand and replicate their innovative incubation services, which provide critical access to markets, training and coaching opportunities for low-income entrepreneurs. Through an e-commerce site, commercial kitchen space, pop-ups, gift shows and more, funding from Chase will equip at least 150 local micro-business owners with the opportunity to increase their incomes and move out of poverty. The partnership will also enable Ventures to replicate these services in new communities through their consulting arm, The Ventures Network, and evaluate and publish their findings for use in other communities nationwide.”

Post-Guest Artisan Market

The rest of the week was a busy shuffle of organizing post-pop-up market and getting back on track with my other projects, such as the vendor profiles at the store. I reached out for one last time to clients asking them for their information. I also presented a cost-benefit analysis of some of the supplies I needed to complete my project. I’ve never created one of these before so I was a bit nervous – but I’m happy to say my project supplies were approved! Once I finish sorting through each of the profiles, checking that the links are active, and making sure I have everyone’s logos or product photos I’ll finally be able to start printing them! This project has been a bit more work than I expected, and with 70 individual vendors, it’s a lot of information and files to keep track of.  However, I’ve really enjoyed finally meeting many of our client’s whose products I’m familiar with from photos or seeing in the store.  It’s nice to put a face to the name and be able to connect with people I’ve mostly been emailing. I’ve enjoyed being able to introduce myself and speak with them about their businesses – it’s made me realize how important these profiles are for sharing client’s stories and how unique their products are!

Weekend Day Trip to Vashon Island
Apart from my Internship, I’ve also been finding time to enjoy Seattle.  I officially have a favorite bubble tea place which I frequent enough to almost have a whole punch-card filled! I’ve also found a favorite pizza joint to order from when I want to treat myself to a night off from cooking.  And aside from these exciting food-related accomplishments, I’ve also been making time to connect with old friends who happen to be in Seattle; including a dear friend I’ve known since middle-school who moved to Seattle last year.  This weekend we took the ferry over to Vashon Island for their annual Strawberry Fest.  While on the island we visited a lavender farm; it was so beautiful! Afterward, we went to downtown Vashon and enjoyed the festivities of Strawberry Fest.  This included their all town street dance, live music echoing through the streets and many yummy food stalls.  It was a great day trip and a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the city.