It was a sparkling and ritzy affair. Beautifully decorated tables with folk in formal attire, candles, beautiful food, an auction, door prizes and excited friendly faces filled the room.

Part of the program was the presentation to the finalists in the Small Business Competition that CIE at Pinchot University, Ta’ala Fund, USDA, the Nature Conservancy and First Federal have sponsored this summer.

Ten businesses were represented in the final round; three existing businesses, Bada Bean in Port Angeles, Sunsets West Co-operative in Clallam Bay, and Mike Meyers Consulting Business for conversion of waste to methane.

Along with these were seven new start-ups:

Elizabeth Alexandra of Aberdeen wanted to launch a worker cooperative to collect food waste for compost.

Emily Foster of Fork/LaPush wanted to launch a business that smokes and sells smoked fish.

Liz Ellis of Aberdeen wanted to launch a business for community gardens and low income housing.

Anna Kim of Westport wanted to launch a business making “papercrete” products.

Robert Long of Neah Bay wanted to launch a business farming sea weed and shellfish.

Linda Reeves of Queets-Quinault wanted to launch a coffee hut and marketplace for Native art and craft, produce and food.

Jean Ramos of Queets-Quinault wanted to launch a business selling traditional Indian Tea.

We all appeared with our significant others, looking the part. The presentation was by Rep. Derek Kilmer.

Third Place — Liz Ellis of Aberdeen, to launch her business for community gardens with low-income housing.

Second Place — Jean Ramos of Queets Quinault, to launch her business selling traditional Indian Tea.

First Place — Emily Foster of Forks/LaPush, to launch her business to smoke and sell smoked fish.

Here it is from Liz Ellis: “Being in this competition (co-opitition) and then to be recognized as a runner-up was a huge honor for me. Being recognized with Jean and Emily and moving forward with everyone else in this year’s WCW has given me an added boost of confidence and confirmation that my idea has merit and can blossom into a real farm.

I have been focused on lining up legal info and finetuning the cost of fencing materials and soil sampling. With every day I meet someone new who is excited about this idea of a community market garden and I continue to connect with local resources.

“It’s exciting and wonderful that Mike Skinner has more in store for us this next year so we can continue to grow our business ideas and continue to learn from some absolutely amazing talent, including each other. This round of WCW has been an amazing gift of getting to know each of you and I want to stay in touch. I like the idea of a barn raising and being there to help any of you who needs more hands for a day or the insights that our close group of friends and fellow business folks can provide in a safe setting.

All the best to each of you!”

Here it is from Jean Ramos: “Good Monday morning. I am still in shock!!

I know that I want as much as possible of the $5,000 spent right here in our Queets Indian community. I want to buy local artwork for packaging, business cards, signs, letterhead, etc. I have to buy permits and get my Minority/Woman Small Business License. Find out how to get Indian Preference for the Buy Indian Act listing, etc. Now, the really hard work starts. Thank you so much, I was retired. I now have a new lease on life.”

Here it is from Emily Foster: “Thank you to everyone who has offered  help, advice and support. Every finalist in our cohort has a solid business idea, so I was entirely surprised at the announcement. The Washington Coast Works Small Business Competition was so intense in the short time we had to write and polish our proposals. I was certainly pushed outside my comfort zone several times, but welcomed the positive and nurturing environment filled with mentors and WCW staff and volunteers who want to see us all succeed. Though the competition has ended, the hard work is just now beginning as I make Lonzo’s Seafood Company a reality.”