By Laura Swanson
Photos by Don Backman
The Economic Development Council of Tillamook County’s new “Level Up” program launched last year with a series of Pub Talks that included business “mini-pitch” contests. Featuring social networking opportunities and tasty appetizers, local business owners gathered to hear a brief presentation from a local expert and support the businesses making their pitch. Six businesses were selected from the contests held in north, central and south Tillamook County to compete in the Grand Finale, held on Friday January 19th.
Similar to the popular “Shark Tank”, the businesses pitched their concept and gave an appeal to the judges about why their business should be selected. “The process was very competitive and there was a wide variety of business types represented,” said EDCTC Director Terre Cooper. She continued, “We were really happy with the response and plan to do this again. It’s a great way for small businesses to get organized and get funding.”
The first place $10,0000 winner was COUNTRY SQUIRE ACRES. The name Country Squire should be familiar to food truck aficionados, Country Squire Kitchen serves up delicious food at the Big G Food Carts in Garibaldi. Opened a year ago, the food truck was step one on a larger plan that includes a regenerative farm. “We’ve always had the farm in mind and planned to grow our own,” said Patrick King, Country Squire owner along with his wife Amanda. “Having the food cart for a year, we’ve figured out what we can grow ourselves,” he continued. Patrick and Amanda credit the Tillamook SBDC (Small Business Development Center) classes in small business management for helping them get organized. “It really helped us to grow – pun intended!” enthused Patrick. The pitch contest prize money will purchase equipment, all battery powered, power the farm with off-grid solar and build a rain catchment system. The Kings have leased farm land in south Tillamook County with lots of growth potential. “We are so grateful to be given this opportunity to expand. We plan to do a public plant sale and launch in the spring,” added the Kings. Watch for more information and a feature story about Country Squire Kitchen and Country Squire Acres. https://www.countrysquirekitchen.com/country-squire-acres
The second place $5,000 winner was BRITTNEY BAKES. Brittney Hudson has been on a fast business growth trajectory. “We ‘tested the market’ as part of the Astoria Sunday Market’s incubator program in the summer of 2022,” explained Brittney. “We shared a booth for a couple weeks to make sure people liked our cookies.” The response was very positive and they moved their own booth that season, and in 2023 added farmers markets in Manzanita, Rockaway Beach, Tillamook and Pacific City. Then a brick-and-mortar location in Garibaldi opened in October of 2023. The pitch contest prize money will go towards equipment – another oven, donut fryer, freezer and more storage. “I’ll be able to increase production and storage,” explained Brittney. “I can expand with more wholesale accounts. This was an exciting and unique way to grow.” With Valentine’s Day around the corner, be sure to check out Brittney Bakes Valentines Day specials on her Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551720160673
There did seem to be a theme to the winners as the third place winner was also food-oriented,
SEA FREEZE SNACKS was awarded $2,500. Riding the wave of freeze-dried snack popularity, Sea Freeze looks to add more equipment, pursue government contracts and wholesale accounts with their freeze-dried candies and more. “You can freeze dry anything,” said Theresa Stoner, Sea Freeze Snacks founder. Freeze drying preserves and reduces weight of products making them ideal for backpacking and emergency preparedness supplies.
Level Up Tillamook is a community initiative committed to developing a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Tillamook County to strengthen existing small businesses and innovators, and support the emergence of new ones.
The Tillamook Economic Development Council, Small Business Development Center and numerous community partners embarked on a project to build support for our Tillamook entrepreneurs. The group applied for and received a grant from the Ford Family Foundation’s Growing Rural Oregon initiative.
Level Up Tillamook facilitates the linking of the varying elements of the entrepreneurial environment – economic development organizations, government agencies, business resource providers, and financial and human capital. Level Up Tillamook then connects growth-minded entrepreneurs to the elements and one to another and to local resources for start-up help, finding money, how to expand and professional help. “We will gather information about your business and your needs, and guide you to the business resources that can best help you,” explained Maria Carillo, Level Up Project Coordinator. This referral service is provided at no cost to Tillamook County entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Contact EDCTC and the Level Up staff at 503-842-8222 ext. 1430 or email to maria@edctc.com or terrecooper@tillamookbaycc.edu
https://www.edctc.com/level-up
