Bottom Line Blog Office of Economic Development

Bottom Line

News from Seattle's Office of Economic Development

City of Seattle, Greater Seattle Partners, and Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Distribute Survey to Measure Economic Impacts of COVID-19 on Region’s Businesses and Non-Profits

by

Results Will Help Inform Strategies for Regional Economy Recovery and Maximizing State and Federal Aid

PRESS CONTACT
Kelsey Nyland, Office of the Mayor
Email: kelsey.nyland@seattle.gov

SEATTLE, WA – The City of Seattle, Greater Seattle Partners, and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce announced today they are distributing an Economic Impact Survey (www.greater-seattle.com/economic-impact-survey) to further capture the effects of COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, on businesses and non-profits in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties.  The Economic Impact Survey will identify early local and regional effects of COVID-19, inform strategies for regional economic recovery and development, and maximizing and allocating badly-needed federal and state recovery aid.

For businesses and non-profits interested in completing the survey, go to, www.greater-seattle.com/economic-impact-survey

Initial quantitative data and qualitative information shows that small businesses, non-profit organizations, arts, and workers in the Seattle region are experiencing significant negative financial impacts due to the COVID-19. Local businesses and non-profits have reported 50 – 90 percent revenue losses, laid off employees, reduced hours, temporary or permanent closures, xenophobia, and major declines in foot traffic as tens of thousands of people are being asked to work from home and practice social distancing. Industries that are most impacted include retail, restaurants and hospitality, transportation and logistics, as well as arts, large festivals and cultural events.

“We hope that employers and non-profits of every size will complete the survey. From small businesses to large employers, we need your stories to help inform our recovery strategy and maximize both state and federal aid that is so critical,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan. “Whether it is making the hard decisions to work remotely, reduce hours, lay off employees, postpone events, or temporarily close, your voices tell Seattle’s story in reacting to these unprecedented times, and will shape how our city recovers. The more information and stories we have, the faster we can receive aid and begin our economic recovery.”

“The Survey results will be critical to maximize state and federal support and direct local resources to save jobs and get back to business as soon as possible,” said Greater Seattle Partners CEO Brian P. McGowan. “We urge all businesses and non-profits organizations in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties to share their economic impacts so we can quickly and effectively request emergency funding.”

“This is a transformational moment for our society and economy. As the virus spreads, so too will the economic impact,” said Markham McIntyre, EVP of the Chamber. “To design a solution to meet the problem, we need to understand how deeply the outbreak is impacting our regional economy, especially the most vulnerable businesses and workers. Please fill out the survey and share your stories.”

“We need to understand the economic impact of our regional economy during this unprecedented time,” said Office of Economic Development Director Bobby Lee. “By measuring the economic impact of COVID-19, we will better understand our short and long-term solutions. This will also give us the data and information we need to build a come-back economy where everyone is included.”  

“We know our arts and cultural sector is hurting and we are doing everything we can to help them through this crisis,” said Randy Engstrom, Director Seattle Office of Arts & Culture. “We rise and fall together, which is why it’s so important that we are all counted and included in this regional economic recovery effort.”

—-

The City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development (OED) is an executive office of City of Seattle municipal government. OED creates a vibrant economy, benefiting the whole city by promoting access to economic opportunities for all of Seattle’s diverse communities. For more information about OED’s programs, visit our website at www.seattle.gov/oed or email our office at oed@seattle.gov.

The Seattle Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) manages the city’s public art program, cultural partnerships grant programs, the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, and The Creative Advantage initiative in the effort to foster a city driven by creativity that provides the opportunity for everyone to engage in diverse arts and cultural experiences. In alignment with the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative, we work to eliminate institutional racism in our programs, policies and practices. The Office is supported by the 16-member Seattle Arts Commission, citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor and City Council.

Greater Seattle Partners work to attract and support businesses that create and sustain jobs across all income levels throughout the region.

The Seattle Metropolitan (Seattle Metro) Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most diverse network of influential business leaders in the Puget Sound region. Founded in 1882 by local business leaders, the Chamber today is an independent organization of 2,600 businesses representing a regional workforce of approximately 750,000 people. For more information, visit www.seattlechamber.com.

###

Small Business of the Month: Tribal Electric LLC

by

Tribal Electric photographed with their Small Business of the Month Certificate. Photo Credit Hana Tadesse.

Tribal Electric is the only queer woman of color owned electrical company in Seattle. Owned and operated by Boo Torres and wife Jo Alcantara, the pair are the epitome of good Seattle family business if there ever was one. They are proud mothers to five beautiful children who go by Val, Amber, Char, Knuckles, and Mango. Jo is also the director of APIChaya, an organization that empowers survivors of gender- based violence and human trafficking to gain safety, connections, and wellness. Jo believes “Whats so sweet is my job is keeping people safe from domestic violence and Tribal (Electric) is about keeping people safe in their own homes through electrical and fire safety.” Boo is passionate about making people feel comfortable in their homes while she is working on making their environment safer. Women feel more comfortable with her in the home, and often feel empowered to ask questions and go about their day while she is there.

The Tribal Electric Family. Photo Credit Tribal Electric

The business began partially because of the families want to spend more time together. With five children, and Boo working as a maintenance technician for the city of Seattle, the ability to find coverage for sick days with the kids was few and far between, especially with two new toddlers. Another large part of the reason for moving into independent contracting being that Torres wanted to provide more opportunity for electricians like her. When creating Tribal Electric, she made sure to be unionized as the company is not just a two-woman show. They are joined by Ryder, a trans native man who has had the opportunity to apprentice with Torres.

“We want to provide training that others don’t have access to. For women in the trade. People who don’t have a lot of access to mentorship in the field because it’s run by people who don’t look like us. What about those of us who don’t have a dad or a grandfather passing these things along? those of us breaking boundaries and barriers? There has to be a place for us to learn and train.” Says Torres.

Boo Torres on the job. Photo Credit Tribal Electric.

Congratulations are in order for our amazing Small Business of the Month, February. If you want to learn more about Tribal Electric, Click on the link here to watch a video about them created by Tulalip News. If you would like to support the amazing work APIChaya does, please consider attending their 2020 gala on April 25th, tickets can be found on their website. Tribal Electric is capable of electrical work in commercial and residential buildings and is also available for inspections, learn more about their services on their website. Congratulations again Tribal Electric!

If you’re interested in learning more about the Office of Economic Development’s small business services, visit our  website  or reach out to us at oed@seattle.gov.

Small Business of the Month: Jerk Shack

by

“When you are able to actually sit at the table and there is a seat for you, and you have a place to say something? That’s a game changer.” said John Devine, Jerk Shack co-owner.

Owners Trey Lamont and John DEvine with their Small Business of the Month plaque
Owners Trey Lamont and John Devine holding their Small Business of the Month plaque in front of Jerk Shack. Photo by Hana Tadesse.

Jerk Shack is a one of a kind business, run by one of a kind people. Trey Lamont and John Devine have created a warm atmosphere in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood transporting you to a tropical place, with flavorful deep-fried jerk chicken, and black art decorating the vibrant colored walls.

The owners met through a loan brokering program that Devine runs while Lamont was a partner at the Inn Keeper, the restaurant the occupied the building that is now where Jerk Shack stands. The two say that access to capital was the most challenging part of obtaining shares from their earlier partners of the building, who didn’t understand the mission of having a black owned business, with the target of serving black people.

“I wanted to make sure that we had a place downtown where black people of color felt comfortable and would come back. I feel proud at that opportunity.” says Lamont.

“Having partners that understood the culture was the most important – the experience is different if you don’t come from where we come from, you would be reluctant too.” says Devine.

Jerk Shack goes above and beyond their mission of having a black safe space in Belltown, but also pride themselves in being able to support other black local food businesses when they can like offering Boon Boona Coffee and Metier Brewing. Boon Boona is an Ethiopian coffee shop in downtown Renton, and Metier Brewing is the only black owned brewery in Washington.

“We have become this place that is a gathering place for community. Relationships are built here. All types of people roll through here. It’s not this or that, you have to be accepting of all of it and all of it is accepted here.” Says Trey Lamont.

Jerk Shack is the kind of business that we love to see in Seattle, and we are proud to have them as our Small Business of the month January. Join Jerk shack every Thursday for Sounds of the Shack live music, and be sure to follow them on Instagram and check out their website to keep up with events.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Office of Economic Development’s small business services, visit our  website  or reach out to us at oed@seattle.gov.

OED Launches First Annual Seattle Legacy Business Program

by

Nominations open until February 14, 2020

PRESS CONTACT
Kelsey Nyland, Office of the Mayor
Email: kelsey.nyland@seattle.gov

On December 2, 2019, the Seattle Office of Economic Development opened nominations for Seattle’s first annual Legacy Business Program. The Legacy Business Program will recognize small, local businesses that have made significant cultural contributions to their neighborhoods and communities for ten years or more.

One Legacy Business will be selected from each of the seven council districts. These businesses will receive public recognition at an awards ceremony in May, in recognition of National Small Business Month. Winners will also receive access to a variety of small business support services through the Office of Economic Development, including a commercial lease and succession planning toolkit, marketing and legal consultation.

“Legacy Businesses give our neighborhoods character and face the same displacement pressures as many Seattle residents, said Councilmember Lisa Herbold (District 1, West Seattle – Southpark), who has worked on creating a Legacy Business Program since 2016. “The nomination and designation of Legacy Businesses is one way to honor the resilience of these beloved businesses and recognize their contribution to the city’s cultural vibrancy, our local economy, and our sense of place. I’m hopeful the city will continue to develop resources and tools — such as succession planning, marketing consultations, and incentivizing the development of affordable commercial space — so our Legacy Businesses can continue to thrive.”

Nominations are open to the public. Nominated businesses must then apply to be considered for selection. Winners will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of business district representatives from each of the seven council districts. In-language support is available for the application process. Nominations are open until February 14, 2020 and can be submitted at seattle.gov/oed/legacybusiness.

Small Business of The Month: Othello Station Pharmacy

by

Written by Hana Tadesse

  • Ahmed Ali, and Othello Station Pharmacy staff.

Othello Station Pharmacy sits on a quiet street in New Holly, which long time Seattle residents will remember as Holly Park, a low-income housing project. Ahmed Ali remembers the time before it was called New Holly, because he was raised there .

Ahmed grew up in the Hollies, riding his bike up and down the street and seeing the need for professionals in his neighborhood. Upon completing his Doctorate in Pharmacy at Washington State University, he worked in chain pharmacies, and learned quickly how inaccessible medicine truly was.

“Walgreens only takes three out of five insurance types available in this state. It makes sense, because those three will give high reimbursements. I don’t care about that. I care about being accessible to the community I am from.”

Ahmed knew that once he was able, he wanted to come back to serve his rapidly changing neighborhood. He encourages others to as well. He believes strongly in leaving to perfect your craft, returning to your neighborhood, and setting up shop.

  • Ahmed Ali, behind the counter of Othello Station Pharmacy.

Othello Station Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy with the goal of being as accessible as possible. The pharmacy takes all insurance types and offers immunization, preventive care, and counseling. Ahmed believes people in his community are more comfortable talking to him. In many cases, he goes above and beyond what others will do for their patients and serves as a liaison between doctor and patient, happily.

Ahmed is more than just a pharmacist – he is a staple in the community. He often speaks at Franklin and Garfield High Schools on career days and has written over ten recommendation letters for students applying to medical school. He runs a nonprofit, The Somali Health Board, and is a mentor to various students in his neighborhood of Othello.

“If I can make a difference anywhere, it’s going to be here in my neighborhood,” Ahmed says. Congratulations, Othello Pharmacy, on being our November 2019 Small Business of the Month ! You can learn more about the Othello Station Pharmacy on their Facebook page.

A New Era for Capitol Hill

by

Written by Hana Tadesse

Photo Credit: GSBA

On Tuesday October 8th, small business owners and community members came together at Ada’s Technical Books and Café to celebrate the launch of Capitol Hill Business Alliance (CHBA). The Greater Seattle Business Alliance (GSBA) launched CHBA in response to the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce closing its doors earlier this year. Working closely with the Office of Economic Development, Seattle’s largest business district now has a new program with exciting opportunities available for small businesses in the area.

  • Photo Credit: GSBA

The Capitol Hill Business Alliance is dedicated to ensuring a healthy, vibrant, diverse neighborhood business community. The Alliance will provide business development, engagement, and advocacy for Capitol Hill businesses and nonprofits located in, doing business in, or committed to the economic vitality on Capitol Hill. Learn more about CHBA and their dedicated programs here.

  • Photo Credit: GSBA

Financial and programmatic support from the Office of Economic development comes through the Only in Seattle grant program, which supports business districts throughout the city. Applications are open now through October 21st . Learn more on the Only in Seattle website.

Small Business of the Month: Sweet Alchemy Ice Creamery

by

Lois Ko stands behind ice cream counter, smiling and holding ice cream cone.
Lois Ko, owner of Sweet Alchemy Ice Creamery.

After years of franchising a Haagen Dasz on the corner of 43rd and University Avenue (“The Ave”) in the University District, Lois Ko knew it was time to open an ice cream shop based on her own vision. She wanted to create an authentic, “farm-to-cone” experience for her customers that would never sacrifice quality for quantity. With this in mind, she became the first person in Seattle to purchase a 30 gallon pasteurizer (most are closer to 300 gallons) and decided that all of Sweet Alchemy’s dairy would be sourced from local farms less than 100 miles away.

The transition from franchiser to small business owner was tough, but Ko was ready for it. As a graduate of the University of Washington, she put her research skills to use, diving into books on everything from operations to finances to team building. Today, she continues to take advantage of her University District location by utilizing small business resources offered by the UW Foster School of Business.

Her University District location also has its challenges. The neighborhood is vibrant, diverse, and packed with small businesses. But with a massive student population, it can be difficult to develop a lasting customer base, even for a seasoned small business owner.

When asked what advice she would offer aspiring entrepreneurs, Ko reminded us that running a small business is hard work, and far more than a 9-5 operation. That aside, she encourages folks – especially women —  to set their fears aside and create their own path.

Ko has every intention to grow Sweet Alchemy. She recently expanded to a second location in Ballard, and can be found catering weddings and corporate events as well as vending at farmers markets.  She also brings her voice to the board of the U District Partnership. It doesn’t look like Ko will be slowing down anytime soon, so stop by Sweet Alchemy soon and try some delicious, locally sourced ice cream.

Instagram & Facebook: @sweetalchemyseattle

Website: sweetalchemyicecreamery.com/

U District: 4301 University Way NE
Ballard: 1555 NW Market St #A

Small Business of the Month: Combat Arts Academy

by

Listen: Origin Story – Combat Arts Academy

Walking into Combat Arts Academy in the Delridge neighborhood of West Seattle, you wouldn’t know that owner Sonia Sillan never intended to run her own small business. A culmination of timing and her mother’s push for her to learn self-defense as a child would allow her to become a Tae Kwon Do teacher by age 14, and later the founder of Combat Arts Academy. Currently, Combat Arts Academy offers Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai, to both adults and kids (as young as 3), as well as a Strength & Conditioning program.

While attending the University of Washington, Sonia was introduced to Jiu Jitsu as she was recovering from reconstructive hip surgery. In 2012, after graduating, she and her former business partner opened CAA’s first location in Delridge. She recalls their first endeavor as a struggle to get started, admitting that she was focused on simply keeping the doors open. With experience and insights from many failures, she learned the importance of understanding finances, cash flow and marketing. Soon, her focus was not on keeping the doors open, but managing growth and investing in the students.

Recently, Sonia opened a second location in Burien. When they came across a struggling Jiu Jitsu gym that was at risk of closure, she and her team decided to take over and open up a second location.  When asked what inspired this expansion, she explained that it was a choice to turn a negative situation into a positive.

Sonia says that one of the gym’s secrets to success is providing a safe space for families to learn and grow together. While most gyms are focused on training for individuals, CAA intentionally cultivates a communal environment for adults and children. Further, even though both Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai are very male-dominated, CAA has an unusually large number of women training in all of the classes. Although they provide a women’s only class, it’s supplemental to the co-ed classes because the environment is designed to be a safe space for everyone. It’s a place where women can feel safe because there is mutual respect.

Right now, the Academy’s biggest goal is to continue to focus on student growth and retention. 90% of CAAs members are active and the team wants to make sure their members are more than satisfied.

Sonia and CAA’s team find satisfaction in seeing the change in people’s lives and watching children turn into leaders. Sonia advises anyone with ambitions to open a business to take their time and do the required research about their industry. “Know your market,” she says, “and market appropriately.”

Drop by Combat Arts Academy at 5050 Delridge Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106 or visit their website to learn about upcoming classes for adults and children. For more information, check them out on Instagram or Facebook, or shoot them an email welcome@caaseattle.com

Interested in small business resources and support? Check out our website or reach out to us anytime.  

Small Business of the Month: Bich Kieu Jewelry

by

Small Business of the Month certificate on top of a display case

Listen: Origin Story – Bich Kieu Jewelry

Bich Kieu Jewelry is a family-owned custom jewelry retailer and repair shop that has been doing business in Seattle for over 25 years—though the business is much older than that. “This is fourth generation—my great grandparents were in the jewelry business in Vietnam,” says owner Pham Lang. “When we came over here as refugees, we wanted to continue the tradition. So my parents reopened the business under the same name we had back in Saigon, Vietnam.” 

Lang has a passion for jewelry design, and the business’s high-quality custom work and fast, friendly customer service have earned them a dedicated customer base both in the Vietnamese community and in the broader Seattle community as well. The business counts Macklemore as one of its loyal customers, in fact: Lang tells us that the rapper has been buying custom pieces and gifts for his family from Bich Kieu for years.

Lang first came to the U.S. in 1980 and lived in Portland, Oregon until he was able to sponsor the rest of his family, who were living as refugees in Germany at the time, to join him in the States. After settling in Seattle, Lang’s parents opened Bich Kieu’s original location at 1228 South Jackson Street in 1991 while Lang worked as an engineer at Boeing. “Then, back in 1995, they decided to pass the legacy to me, to carry on. So ever since then, I run the store,” he says.  

A necklace and bracelets displayed

Running the family business with his wife, Quyen, was very different from his career at Boeing. “It’s harder to be your own boss—you have a lot of responsibility as well as working seven days a week,” Lang says. “But I love it. That’s the only reason why we still carry on.” Quyen works at the store alongside Lang and is a great business partner. “She is a good QA, you know. I have to pass quality control,” he says. “You always want a second opinion.”

Several years ago, the business ran into a familiar problem for many small business owners: frustration with their landlord. When the owner of the South Jackson Street location was unwilling to sell the space to Bich Kieu, Lang ultimately found and bought their current space at 423 Rainier Ave South in Little Saigon, where they’ve been ever since.  

People dreaming of starting their own small business should focus on doing things right the first time, Lang advises, and work on finding their niche in the face of competition from retail giants. Bich Kieu, for example, has found its niche in custom jewelry and repair and through its connection to the local Vietnamese community.  

Small business owners should also be prepared to work hard: “Lot of people, they just want five days a week, 9-5 and go home,” he says. “But I guess I love the jewelry business. The only thing I ever worry is if my wife will ever fire me!” 

You can visit Bich Kieu Jewelry at 423 Rainier Ave South in Seattle’s Little Saigon neighborhood. Drop by to check out their selection, commission a custom gift, or just get your watch battery replaced, seven days a week.  

Interested in small business resources and support? Check out our website or reach out to us anytime.   

Owner Pham Lang helping customers at Bich Kieu Jewelry
Owner Pham Lang helping customers.

Small Business of the Month: Seattle Capoeira Center

by

A circle of people watching two people in the center playing Capoeira
Students, teachers and community members during a Sunday afternoon roda – a traditional Capoeira Angola game.

Listen: Origin Story – Seattle Capoeira Center

If you haven’t heard of Capoeira—an African cultural art from Brazil that combines self-defense, dance, acrobatics and music—then Seattle Capoeira Center owner Syed Taqi wants to change that. “The goal is like, thousands of people playing Capoeira. Hundreds of people walking around with berimbaus, like [people walk around with] yoga mats.” 

Syed Taqi is Syed’s citizen name, as he puts it—if you train at Seattle Capoeira Center, you may know him as Contramestre (Assistant Master) Mangangá. Capoeira is Syed’s life passion: he has been teaching Capoeira in Seattle since he was 19 years old, and is the highest-ranked Seattleite in Capoeira. When he was a teenager, Syed left his home in Beacon Hill to train in Brazil with his mentor, Grande Mestre (Grand Master) Nô, with the goal of returning home to share Capoeira with his community.  

a row of people sitting and playing berimbaus
Syed Taqi (seated second from the right) plays berimbaus with the group.

Practicing Capoeira with his sister in Seattle, Syed found that they stuck out in their class, which was mostly comprised of white, middle class men. “Me and my sister, being South Asian Muslims, didn’t really fit into the group,” Syed remembers. “My sister, you know, she quit doing Capoeira, and she was like, ‘One day, when you become a master, I’ll come back and do Capoeira.’ She wanted to be in a place where she could practice Capoeira in a safe space for women, especially women of color.” 

Several years later, Syed became an instructor of the Capoeira Angola Palmares group under Grande Mestre Nô. With Grande Mestre Nô’s permission, Syed then formed his own Capoeira group, which evolved into the Seattle Capoeira Center when Syed signed the lease on the business’s studio in 2014. Seattle Capoeira Group originated out of the original Capoeira school that formed in Seattle during the 1980s under Mestre Elísio. Seattle’s Capoeria tradition is one of the longest standing in the United States.

Three young girls seated on the studio floor together
Watching the roda.

The location of the Seattle Capoeira Center—right by the Mount Baker light rail station on Rainier Ave South—is important to Syed because it maintains his connection to the community he grew up in. “It motivated me, because this is where I’m from,” he says. “I’m born and raised in Chicago, but I grew up on Beacon Hill. And I just thought me starting a business here would be meaningful.” 

Syed seized the opportunity to lease the studio at 2909 Rainier Avenue South and began to grow his business from there. “It’s not easy,” he says. “I spend a lot of time away from my family trying to figure out how to promote the business, how to create and cultivate community. This isn’t a retail store where people come in for 20 minutes and then they leave, this is transmitting a cultural tradition, and to do it in an honest, authentic way takes a lot of time, because there is no real blueprint for a business like this. You can’t really go to school to learn how to build community.”  

Part of the challenge for Syed is spreading the word about Capoeira and convincing Seattleites to value it amongst dozens of other fitness options, while at the same time maintaining the existing community and deep respect for the practice. Syed draws a comparison to the ease of selling a yoga class in Seattle: “Yoga has been colonized in the city and all over. White people value that, you know, they’ll drop thousands of dollars. With Capoeira, it’s a struggle.”

A man and a woman seated on the floor pointing towards the center of the circle
Capoeira players encourage a young student to enter the roda circle.

Syed built the student base at Seattle Capoeira Center slowly over the years, in part through investing in advertising and keeping membership fees competitive, but also by doubling down on his commitment to his community. “You gotta find your niche,” he says. “As a fitness center, I can’t compete with 24 Hour Fitness, I can’t compete with the Bouldering Project, I can’t compete with some of these yoga schools. So I narrowed down the niche to community building. That’s something these other places can’t do as well as I can.” 

Syed has relied on his community in learning how to run the business as well. “Throughout the years a lot of my students have helped me at different stages of the business,” he says. “Definitely my wife helps me a lot. She knows a lot of the HR, how to treat people right, and how to cultivate community. She’s probably helped me more than anyone.” Syed also found some business education through Washington CASH, and took advantage of free business resources from the Seattle Public Library. 

If you’re planning to start your own business, Syed recommends focusing on your niche audience, just like he and others have done. “My friends at The Station have their niche demographic that they target to, my friends at That Brown Girl Cooks, they have their niche that they target to. So these businesses that are run by people of color that are successful, they’re tapping into spaces that aren’t occupied by others,” he says. 

More than anything else, Syed invites you to come be part of the Seattle Capoeira community. “Stop by a Sunday Roda session, from 2-4:00pm. That’s where we celebrate Capoeira and maintain the tradition.” The weekly roda is a chance for all families to come experience Capoeira, whether you’re a regular player or you just want to watch and learn.  

You’re also invited to Capoeira Life 3.0 on May 26, 2019 where you’ll have the chance to join in on a basic class, watch a live Capoeira demonstration with music, and celebrate Syed’s promotion from Contramestre to Mestre (Master)—a huge milestone, as Syed will be the second-ever North American student of Mestre Nô to become a Mestre. You can also sign up for a free week of classes at Seattle Capoeira Center, and follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.  

Interested in small business resources and support? Check out our website or reach out to us anytime.