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March 2004
The Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal archives all articles into these pages. Feel free to browse back through Kitsap history and read news from as far back as the turn of the century! All articles from the print edition will be archived in this directory.
SBA offers online advice to women entrepreneurs
March 12, 2004 @ 1:00am | The KPBJ

Women business owners are critically important to the American economy. America’s 9.1 million women-owned businesses employ 27.5 million people and contribute $3.6 trillion to the economy. However, women continue to face unique obstacles in the world of business.

The Small Business Administration is a very strong advocate for women entrepreneurs and offers many programs and services to help them succeed. For resources that offer unique opportunities and guidance for women entrepreneurs, visit www.sba.gov/financing/special/women.html.

 
Growing her business and having tremendous fun doing it
March 12, 2004 @ 1:00am | Linda Thomson

Kim Olsen is co-owner, with her husband Bill, of Hood Canal Custom Interiors in Belfair. She started out working for her dad in his drapery business in Bellevue in 1969 while she was still in high school. Right from the beginning, she was given responsibilities such as selling fabric, payroll and other bookkeeping duties.

Eventually, she became the manager.

After she and Bill moved to the West Sound area, he decided to get into the shade business. Her years of experience dovetailed nicely with his new business direction. read more »

 
Finding her own niche was the key to success
March 12, 2004 @ 1:00am | Linda Thomson

Jane Fraser is an insurance agent, specializing in health insurance. Through her firm, Fraser Consulting Services, LLC, she does outreach in person, and acquires new clients by word of mouth and networking. The lady with the English accent is memorable to business owners who have encountered her when she comes calling, leaving her business card behind.

Harsh economic realities in England brought Jane, her husband and their young children to the United States in 1980. read more »

 
Going the extra mile for her community
March 12, 2004 @ 1:00am | Linda Thomson

Catherine Ann Wolf is a certified public accountant practicing in Belfair. The North Mason Chamber of Commerce recently named her firm Business of the Year for 2003.

With around a half dozen businesses nominated, more than one person named Catherine’s business for that honor, according to chamber executive Don Atkinson. He says there are a number of criteria, yet much of the decision-making process is subjective. read more »

 
Online education helps women with competing obligations
March 12, 2004 @ 1:00am | The KPBJ

By day, she’s a customer service representative for a local medical services provider; by night, Susan Morrelli 29, is a wife, mother and student. Not at her local university, but at an accredited online university. read more »

 
Two-woman team recognized for tourism promotion
March 12, 2004 @ 1:00am | Rodika Tollefson

The Kitsap Visitors and Conventions Bureau recently recognized the City of Gig Harbor and the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce for their partnership in promoting local tourism. Although the two have informally worked together for many years, their partnership grew after the city hired a marketing director. read more »

 
Helping women find their own curves pays off
March 12, 2004 @ 1:00am | Linda Thomson

Laura Mitchell opened Curves for Women in Silverdale in March of 2002. She figured she would probably start with about 30 women and hoped to have 90 by the end of the year. Well, it has been three years now, and she’s got some 1,000 members in Silverdale. Further, within that same year, she opened Curves outlets in Port Orchard and Belfair. Between the three sites, there are around 2,500 members. read more »

 
Jeannee Renee Brown makes sure you look good
March 12, 2004 @ 1:00am | Linda Thomson

Do you need a makeover? Jeannee Renee’s Salon in Silverdale may not be able to schedule you as soon as you want, but according to owner Jeannee Renee Brown, any wait will be worth it!

Throughout 31 years in the beauty business, she’s stayed up with the latest trends, fashions and styles by ongoing education and a passion for her work. read more »

 
Elizabeth Gilje: Rescuing KPS from the trash heap
March 12, 2004 @ 1:00am | Rodika Tollefson

If it weren’t for her then-82-year-old mother, Elizabeth Gilje’s involvement with KPS Health Plans may have stopped in 1999. read more »

 
Women in control of many local marketing efforts
March 12, 2004 @ 1:00am | The KPBJ

Stacy Ames has been in charge of Kitsap Mall marketing for four years, and has been in the industry for a decade. She moved to Kitsap with a company transfer after working in Reno, and loves the flexibility and the variety her job affords her. Ames “fell into marketing” after changing majors a few times in college, and recently became a certified marketing director thought the International Council of Shopping Centers, after an intense year-long course of studies and tests. read more »

 
Women making their mark in local banking industry
March 12, 2004 @ 1:00am | Rodika Tollefson

Henderson h Managers: Tera Whittner in East Bremerton; Viola Mather at the South Kitsap branch; Caela Howley on Bainbridge Island; Jeanie Bruderer in Poulsbo; Dorell Bertel at the Bangor branch; Barb Humphrey at PSNS; Jamie Goodwin at Gig Harbor North and Kathy Taylor at the Olympic Plaza Branch in Gig Harbor; and Carla Camacho at the Bremerton branch. read more »

 
Women in politics: Gavel in one hand, glass breaker in the other
March 12, 2004 @ 1:00am | Rodika Tollefson

Angel

We may have to wait a while for the first woman U.S. president, but from Gig Harbor to Bainbridge Island, women are proving to proudly stand on equal footing in the aggressive turf of politics. read more »