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Pamela Guardino and her company, B&P Consort Inc., has been operating on the Kitsap Peninsula for 12 years. The company started out as a one-woman operation for the first three years. Now the procurement business has five employees and supplies to the federal government and prime contractors. The Silverdale-based business does service nationally and internationally to Europe, Guam, Japan and Saudi Arabia. Guardino, who once sold funeral homes as a living, says about her unique career paths, “Different careers led to the company. The most common denominator are sales.”
After working in the business world as an employee among many other employees, Guardino wanted something different for her company. She describes her work environment as a “home away from home” and says she wanted to “blur the line between work and play.”
Mary Corbin, one of Guardino’s first employees, says about her boss, “She’s not a person who says this is her business, but our business. She allows you to be a part of the company.” Corbin also says Guardino is “the most creative, innovative woman I ever met.” She simply puts it: “She’s really cool.”
Guardino has been asked for two consecutive years, in 1999 and 2000, to be one of four businesses on the panel for the Small Business Administration’s BizFair. She is active in the community, donating money to the historic Admiral Theatre and the Governor’s Run, which benefits learning and assistance programs for developmentally disabled children. During Silverdale’s Whaling Days festival, the company donates the parking lot to the Boy Scouts, which in turn keeps all of the proceeds. She also supports Front Range, an organization that keeps wild horses from being slaughtered.
Julie Tappero’s business, WestSound Workforce, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. WestSound Workforce is a full-service staffing company, providing from temporary to permanent staffing. “As human resource professionals ourselves, we pride ourselves on providing our client companies with employees who meet each company’s unique needs,” Tappero says.
With most of her community service and volunteering taking place around business economics, Tappero is serving her second term as the chair of the Olympic Workforce Development Council for Kitsap, Clallam and Jefferson counties and is chairing the efforts to expand the Gig Harbor branch of Tacoma Community College. Tappero also sits on many boards and provides funding for events along the Peninsula.
“I have always believed that to those that much has been given, much is required,” Tappero says about her community involvement. “In my idea of the perfect world, everyone would be able to have a good job near their home and by contributing to workforce development and economic development, I am doing what I can to change my little piece of the world.”
Tappero has won numerous awards for her business venture. In 2006 she was awarded the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award, the chamber’s highest honor. And almost as significant as her business awards, Tappero is proud of the more then 10 certificates she has earned as an Olalla Polar Bear, meaning she has braved the waters of Olalla Lagoon on New Year’s Day for many years. “Running a successful business requires someone who is not afraid, will take risks, plunges ahead despite obstacles, and is a little bit unhinged. I think a successful business, and my Polar Bear history, prove I’m all of that.”
Doumina Whyman is a sales associate for Windermere Real Estate and the owner of The Enthusiastic Traveler, a company that gives tours in Italy. Although she enjoys real estate, what she does in the in-between time is share her knowledge and love for Italy. Flying over 5,000 miles five to six times a year only clarifies her passion. “I want them to see what I love,” she says.
It all started 10 years ago when she took an unpleasant 10-day trip with friends to Italy. The trip changed her life and inspired her to do something about it. “I’ve always been organized,” she says. “I’ve always loved to travel.” She has now been a personal tour guide for four years. “It’s really about tasting the reality and not the tourist area,” she says.
Whyman gives all tourists she guides more than what they expect. “We learn about wine, food, arts and shop,” she says. Coral Sue Rogers, an enthusiastic travel participant, says, “I am still raving about the trip. Doumina has a knack for surrounding herself with knowledgeable and fun local folks.”
Whyman says, “My reward is my smiling, happy clients.”
Kristen Gavern, a supervisor for the Women’s Diagnostic Center at Advanced Medical Imaging, has many years of experience in the health of women, particularity in the area of mammography. She graduated from Tacoma Community College’s radiologic technology program in 1995 and received her advanced certification in mammography in 1997. After graduating, she began working at Advanced Medical Imaging and has been there ever since.
Advanced Medical Imaging (AMI) provides high-quality medical imaging services. The company has recently converted to digital mammography, which gives a more accurate detection of breast cancer, especially in dense tissues. The new technology is now at the Silverdale and Port Orchard branches of AMI. Gavern says, “I am most proud and honored to be trusted with the responsibility of providing such an important aspect in women’s healthcare… The reward of contributing to saving a life with early detection of breast cancer is priceless.”
Although obviously passionate about her work, Gavern says, “ My two beautiful daughters, Rachel and Sarah, get all of my free time. I really enjoy spending my time taking my girls to dance lessons and taking them to events.”
Shiloh Schroeder, owner of Shiloh Schroeder Design, has always had an interest in art. In high school, Schroeder planned out her future in the architectural world. She later realized she wasn’t “cut out for that.” She says, “I have a great appreciation for great architecture, but there’s a lot more involved than making pretty things.” This acknowledgement allowed Schroeder to discover and realize her love for communicating visually.
Schroeder is a graduate of the Northwest College of Art in Poulsbo. She received her bachelor’s degree in visual communications, with a major in graphic design. Upon graduation, Schroeder struggled to find work in the once- thriving field of design marketing. “I spent the next two years sending out resumes while working at retail and later a receptionist at another animal hospital,” she says. “Finally, I got my break and took an entry-level position as a production designer with a design firm.”
The next five years, she worked her way up to art director and soon after purchased the design portion of the company. Shiloh Schroeder Design has been expanding ever since with the addition of a design/programming team Schroeder calls “the best web designer in the county.”
She is also active in the community, serving as a mentor for high school and college students. Schroeder says, “In the next year I hope to do double, if not triple, my time toward volunteering in the community and donating services where I can.
She adds, “I take what I do seriously. I find being a woman and being under 30, there are still a lot of stereotypes we fight on a day to day basis.” Schroeder says she wants to “change peoples’ views and make them expect the unexpected.”
Stacey Tucker has extensive experience in operating a business. She is the owner of three companies: Chico Towing, Sun Select Windows and Essential Solutions for Business. Running the 63-year-old family business, Chico Towing, for the last 14 years after purchasing it from her father, Tucker says, “Despite the many demands of the business, I continue to be fulfilled by the challenges, responsibilities, and autonomy of being a business owner.”
Tucker has a master’s degree in counseling she says has provided her “the unique foundation to foster positive relationships both in my business and community.” She serves as a national association representative and a board member of the Towing & Recovery Association of Washington. Tucker has been past board member of Harrison Medical Center Foundation, Kitsap County Commission on Youth and Children, and a graduate of Leadership Kitsap. She has also been past director of the East Bremerton Rotary Paul Harris Foundation. “The rewards I receive from personal participation I am sure have far outweighed my contributions,” she says.
Some of Tucker’s accomplishments include recipient of the Business Journal’s 40 under 40 Award in 2006 and the 1998 YWCA Women of Achievement Award. She also received the 2001 Washington Tow Operator of the Year Award, which she describes as “one of the proudest achievements was being recognized by my peers.”
Tucker’s story involves the same life lessons. “No business is easy, luck is rarely involved, and it all boils down to discipline and hard work,” she says. “I strongly believe that if you pursue your dreams with conviction, act on the right motives, and stay honest and true to yourself and others, you will be guided along the path you are supposed to be.”
Amy Igloi-Matsuno, co-owner with husband Grant Matsuno of the popular Amy’s On the Bay Restaurant in Port Orchard, has always had one thing in mind: helping other people. As a young girl, Igloi-Matsuno’s aspirations included becoming a social worker, a lawyer, and everything in between. They all had the same goal: helping others. Now, she uses her restaurant as a vehicle to reach her community.
“This job fits my personality,” she says. “It’s important to know as much as you can.” Igloi-Matsuno takes care of everything from bookkeeping to inventory and all the financial aspects of the business. She leaves all the cooking to husband and chef, Grant.
Open for less than two years, Amy’s On the Bay has participated in many community events like Tip-A-Cop which benefits Special Olympics Washington, and the Port Orchard Party, which benefits Fathoms Of Fun. The list continues with community service to the McCormick Woods Ladies Golf Club, Rally for a Cure, YWCA of Kitsap County, Olalla PTA and many others.
Putting in 50 to 60 hours a week, sometimes more during the summer months, she says she naturally likes being around people.
Igloi-Matsuno is true to her word. She even encourages all 18 of her employees to step out and take a chance in whatever they want to do, even if that means leaving Amy’s On the Bay.
Because of Igloi-Matsuno’s dedication, hard work and ability to think outside the box, Amy’s On the Bay is not only a great place to work, but also an asset to the downtown community.
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