Blog
The Northwest Mountain MSDC blog includes updates from the council along with highlights of certified MBEs, corporate and public agency members, as well as the latest perspectives and news in the supplier diversity space.
Finding True Partners: How Point North Consulting Discovered Equity in Action Through the Business Accelerator
For Lisa Keohokalole Schauer, president of Point North Consulting, the Port of Seattle's Business Accelerator program revealed a profound truth: the gap between organizations that talk about equity and those that truly live it. Her experience illustrates how...
From Isolation to Innovation: How OP Connect’s CEO Found His Tribe Through the Business Accelerator
In the rapidly evolving world of electric vehicle infrastructure, entrepreneurs face unique challenges that can leave even the most seasoned business leaders feeling isolated. For Dexter Turner, co-founder and CEO of OP Connect, the Port of Seattle's Business...
Port of Seattle Celebrates Fifth Year of Business Accelerator Program, Opens 2025 Applications with Northwest Mountain MSDC
SEATTLE — June 3, 2025 — The Port of Seattle is proud to launch the fifth annual Business Accelerator Program, with applications now open for the 2025 cohort. This milestone year, in partnership with the Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council...
Owning Your Value: How Military Precision and Mentorship Powered Apex Electrical Group’s Growth
In the high-stakes world of industrial electrical work, precision and attention to detail aren't just professional assets—they're matters of life and death. For Marcus Cola, CEO and co-owner of Apex Electrical Group, his military background prepared him for the...
The Renaissance Builder: How 30 Years of Experience Found New Energy in the Business Accelerator
In an industry where experience matters and relationships are everything, Sharon Maxwell has spent three decades mastering the art of construction and community building. As CEO of Bratton Construction, she's weathered economic cycles, adapted to industry changes, and...
Common Employer Workplace Mistakes to Avoid
Paid Sick Leave Basics Washington employers are required to provide employees with paid sick leave at a minimum rate of 1 paid sick leave hour for every 40 hours of work. Employers must provide a one-time written or electronic notification to each employee detailing...
Wido Logistics: From Cold Calls to a Leading Warehousing & Freight Company
After years of working as a trucker in the logistics industry himself, Sonne told his wife that he wanted to open his own logistics business. Together, they cold-called businesses from their dining room table and fully immersed themselves in the ins and outs of the...
Oxygen – A People and Organizational Performance Consulting Firm Doing Things Differently
Within the sprawl of corporate consultancy, where firms promise transformation but deliver only incremental adjustments, Oxygen, a people consultancy firm, led by Juliana Stancampiano, has cultivated a reputation for disrupting the status quo. Since 2008, Oxygen has...
Humbition Consulting: Building Impact Through Strategy, Community, and MBE Collaboration
At the intersection of strategy, innovation, and purpose lies Humbition Consulting, a boutique management consulting firm led by Vanessa and Steven Sun. With a name rooted in “humble ambition,” Humbition brings together grit, collaboration, and a client-centric...
You Registered with WEBS – Now What? Your Next Steps Toward State Contracting Success
Getting registered in Washington’s Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) system is a key first step toward doing business with the State - but it’s only the beginning. To truly tap into the contracting opportunities available, it’s important to take a few strategic next...