This issue marks the beginning of the Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal’s 15th year of publication. The very first issue of the Kitsap Business Journal was published on April 1, 1988.

“We come a long way since that first issue,” noted Editor and Publisher Lary Coppola. “It’s been a never ending learning process, but one that has made us grow editorially in ways we never dreamed of in the beginning.”

The Kitsap Business Journal was the first newspaper in Kitsap County to be published using Apple Computer’s patented desktop publishing technology and the first to feature four-color process photography in both editorial and advertising on a regular basis — which began with the very first issue. It was also the first local paper to be available online.

“You can be on the leading edge technologically as well as the bleeding edge,” chuckled Coppola. “We’ve been on both over the years. At the time, business publishing was the fastest growing segment of the publishing industry, and we knew we had a great idea and a good product in the right place at the right time.

“In order to minimize competition from larger papers with deeper pockets, we intentionally set the bar high. We did it both visually through the extensive use of color, which because of Apple’s desktop technology combined with Aldus software, significantly lowered the cost. We did it editorially by using advocacy journalism for business — something daily and community weekly papers really can’t do.”

The paper has won several editorial awards including the Media of the Year Award from the Washington Association of Realtors for its coverage of the state’s Growth Management Act and been recognized statewide for its political coverage as well as by its peers for superior graphic design and production values.

Ruth Enderle, now executive director of the Admiral Theatre Foundation, was the paper’s founding editor. “Ruth helped me clarify the vision I had for this paper in the very beginning and worked tirelessly to help me bring that to life,” said Coppola. “I can’t express my appreciation enough.”

The Kitsap Business Journal had a series of editors over the years including Rick Stedman, who is known locally for his work with Navy newspapers and Beth Taylor, former business editor for the Orlando Sentinel who still freelances for the paper. Coppola took the job back over on a full-time basis in 1997.

In 2002, the paper expanded its reach into Pierce County and now covers the area from the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to Port Gamble, and includes the Key Peninsula as well as Bainbridge Island. It also is distributed in North Mason County and South Jefferson County. “We have grown significantly since that initial 5,000 press run,” stated Coppola. “But that also reflects the growth of business in general in this area.

“We are an advocate for the business community and we aren’t bashful about it. We don’t pretend to be unbiased where business is concerned. Our ultimate goal is to be the regional voice of the western Puget Sound business community,” added Coppola.

The parent company of the Kitsap Business Journal, Wet Apple Publishing, also celebrated its 24th anniversary in business on April 1. “Yes, I picked those dates intentionally,” laughed Coppola. “After all, if you’re going to be in business, you better have a sense of humor.”.