Heartbeat of Kitsap

With the frightening statistic that 50% of all youth coming out of the foster care system wind up homeless, combined with record labor shortages across most employment sectors, it’s time for businesses and communities to think of alternative answers, and perhaps more job training and internships are a solution.Cody Clark from The Coffee Oasis will share the different programs they administer with youth in Kitsap County, with an emphasis on The Coffee Oasis’ job training and internship programs.Presenter: Cody ClarkCody Clark was born and raised in Kitsap County, graduating from South Kitsap High in 2009 and from Covenant Bible Seminary with a BA in Theology in 2019. Cody has been serving as the Community Development Lead for The Coffee Oasis since April of 2019. He strives to build and maintain relationships with businesses and the Chambers of Commerce throughout Kitsap County to support the work The Coffee Oasis is doing to help homeless and at-risk youth in the community.

Jennifer Filzen discusses how you can use social media to your advantage. owner of Rock Star Marketing in Monterey, California. Jennifer’s marketing agency is the category king of storytelling for the auto repair industry, and she will be sharing her marketing wisdom with our group.Some of the topics include:What is new for social media in 2022?What do the changes in Facebook mean for the average business owner?Why are video marketing and podcasting so important?How can you use social media to attract workers and clients to your business?

Too many business leaders fail to set effective goals because they don’t start with the aspirational identity they seek and then set effective goals to achieve what they want. Success is so much more than metrics and KPIs. It’s about how you plan to achieve those goals. You need to ask yourself the big question – who, and what, do I want to be?Are You Ready to Commit to Making It Happen This Year?Learn the keys to making reasonable and measurable progress in 2022. Attend our Business Planning Workshop and work alongside other professionals as you create a vision and map out the actionable steps needed to reach your goals.PRESENTERSAs the founder of the Cadre Concept and a learner in all things business, Shane McGraw‘s mission is to encourage others to show up as the best version of themselves. For over a decade, Shane has been a lead producer in some of the largest mortgage companies and owns several strategic businesses. He is always chasing audacious goals, which now include professional coaching. Shane is a veteran, husband, father, and leader in his community.Over the last five years, Acaia Mayfield, co-founder of the Cadre Concept, has devoted her energy to personal development and business coaching. She’s spent years learning systems, studying the art of working with people, attending conferences, and leading multiple companies all with the goal of becoming a better woman, wife, and leader.

Regulations change on a regular basis. Frank Warner, CPA, will share the changes coming in 2022 and how we can be prepared.Topics will include:What financial regulations will be changing in 2022 and 2023What we can do to best financially prepare ourselves and our businesses for these changesPRESENTERFrank Warner has over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. In addition to being an expert in college and retirement financial planning, he is the owner of his own CPA firm located in Silverdale, WA where he has been since 1981.Frank graduated from Lehigh University in 1970 with a BS in Business Administration. Although he has no idea where his diploma is, he can still readily locate his lime green pure polyester slacks and plaid sports jacket, the true uniform of the 1970s. In 1975 he received his MBA from Pace University in New York City where he worked at Price Waterhouse and Co. on Wall Street. Following his stint on Wall Street, Frank relocated to the Pacific Northwest where he has been ever since.

Are you looking for an innovative technology to bring to market that will launch a new company,improve a product line, or diversify your product offerings? In this Kitsap Business Forum, you’lllearn how to discover and access a pool of untapped government-funded intellectual property(IP)—readily available to move to Washington state-based industries as well as those acrossthe U.S. You’ll realize how easy it is to work with a government organization as Sara demystifiesthe technology transfer and licensing process. To inspire your thinking, Sara also will describejust a sampling of clean energy technologies that could be deployed in the Pacific Northwest.PRESENTERSara Hunt, Commercialization Manager, Pacific Northwest National LaboratorySara Hunt is a commercialization manager for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) located in the Seattle office. She is responsible for identifying promising PNNL-developed technologies, overseeing technology development and demonstration, securing intellectual property assets, marketing novel technologies, and negotiating business terms to transfer technologies to private industry where they can be matured into commercial products and services. The technology portfolio Sara manages includes advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and environmental monitoring.

Homelessness is a complex problem. What role does business play in the homelessness crisis? Hear from our panel about homelessness issues in Kitsap County. Explore ways local businesses can help alleviate the homeless crisis in our community.PANELISTSStacy B. Doré, Director of Development, Kitsap Community ResourcesJosh Hinman, Executive Paster, Newlife Church-Silverdale

With so many social media “tools” out there your work toolbox may be closer to a tool shed by now. So why care about Google My Business (GMB)? GMB is a solution to many problems that today’s small business experience including being seen digitally. In this Kitsap Business Forum, you’ll learn how GMB is the gateway to two of the most powerful apps in the world: GoogleSearch and Maps. Find out why you should claim your business today and if you already have, how you can maximize the efficiency of what GMB does for you and your brand. Join us for this Google Master workshop.TAKEAWAYSHow GMB controls what people see on Google Search and Google MapsWhy using different types of posts on GMB is necessaryWhy GMB isn’t just a social media platformPRESENTERDrake AustinDrake Austin is a Google specialist. He is the owner of Drake Austin Consulting where he helps Kitsap businesses and local startups maximize the value of their Google Workspace subscriptions. With over 10 years of professional Google experience and Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) certified, Drake calls himself “Google Master.” Drake is also the digital production manager at NeoLuxe Marketing where he oversees web development and automation production. Drake transplanted from Florida to Kitsap in 2017.

In this Uplift Kitsap, we’ll look at limiting beliefs and how they affect your success. Transformational mindset coach Bonnie McVee walks us through one of the biggest mindset issues among entrepreneurs and business owners, something she calls “the tired old path.” McVee connects the hamster wheel of life we often get caught up in to the science behind why we get stuck.TakeawaysThe difference between Default and Essence energies and how to shiftThe science behind how doing “the work” impacts your overall successHow to identify yourself on the tired old path and action steps for how to get onto a new pathPresenter: Bonnie McVeeBonnie McVee is a transformational mindset coach. Hairdresser turned life coach by way of recovery and cancer survival. An expert on life’s transitions, she now guides her clients facing a life transition to free them from their unseen default energies into their essence energy becoming aware of the patterns that no longer work for them so that they can get unstuck and not repeat the past. Bonnie uses her unique gifts of intuition and pattern recognition for faster results.

When was the last time your team experienced healthy conflict, fought over ideas, and left feeling more unified than divided? These moments are the makers of great teams. Being able to debate ideas instead of attacking others is key. Instead of tiptoeing around what needs to be said or bulldozing through, we can leverage differences to bring positive outcomes and competitive advantage.Jonathan StoneJonathan Stone has served as a leader and teacher at Newlife for the past 15 years. He also has led international teams for 10 years through Youth with a Mission.

Over 78 percent of business owners are expecting the sale of their business to be a major part of their retirement plan, but most have no idea how to go about selling (or buying) a business. As more small business owners are on the home stretch to retirement, many people want to be certain that they can transition the business to new leadership that will respect the integrity of their business. How can you both make sure your clients are taken care of and you still get top dollar for all of your years of sweat equity and hard work? What happens if some of your children want to run the business, and some don’t? AND as a buyer of a business, how do you make yourself attractive to the seller?Program HighlightsReal life stories of successful (and some not so successful) business transition plansWays to plan, in advance, for a smooth transition as you sell your businessWays to make sure you have security from the new buyer after you sell your businessCost effective solutions you can use to prepare for giving your business to family members (while treating the non-interested family members fairly)What makes a buyer attractive to a sellerPresenter:Matt Augspurger is a wealth advisor and speaker. As a fiduciary, he focuses on holistic wealth management and retirement planning. He has been seen in various local publications and events, such as Seattle Magazine, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal, Uplift Kitsap, and Compass & Clock Magazine. Matthew comes from a family of educators and his passion for teaching shines through. He is a dynamic speaker focusing on memorable ideas, understandable explanations, and the message of clarity that provides clients with sound, unbiased, and independent financial solutions.

Organizational performance doesn’t start with your teammates; it begins with you!Leadership is personal. It’s an inside-out process that flows from individuals, ripples through teams, and cascades throughout the organization to become part of the culture.After coaching leaders and teams for over 18 years to transform company culture, Shannon Bruce, Professional Certified Coach, reveals common themes and recurring patterns that not only hinder organizational results but also negatively impact the well-being of employees from the C-Suite to the frontline. Regardless of company size or industry, consistent unhealthy habits and negative behaviors minimize the impact of leadership and marginalize business results.On a mission to end suffering in the workplace, along with a deep desire to “go into companies to create communities,” Shannon has integrated her years of insight to thoroughly engage you with a thought-provoking message that you won’t want to miss. She will share perspectives and practical information that will challenge, empower, and activate you as a leader. You’ll take away 7 key strategies that will help you optimize your personal leadership and well-being to maximize organizational health and performance.Meet Your PresenterShannon Bruce, CPCC, PCCShannon Bruce, CPCC, PCC is a passionate Professional Certified Coach whose work inspires transformational change in her clients and their companies. With more than two decades of experience in management and executive leadership, Shannon is a powerful listener, able to challenge the status quo.Her coaching and facilitation clients rave about her ability to motivate them to always drive toward excellence. As CEO of StoryBridge, Inc. she acts as a catalyst for Conscious Culture Change, creating communities within organizations and building cohesive, high performing teams. Clients say she has helped them achieve accelerated trust, improved relationships, as well as bottom-line business results.Shannon’s resume reveals a richness of experience that helps her quickly engage in any industry. She was a CPA with Ernst & Young, an executive with two wholesale distribution companies, and an entrepreneur who has launched multiple business start-ups. Her client list includes: healthcare, construction, banking, architecture, libraries, escrow and title insurance, and city ports—corporate, nonprofits, and government. She is currently serving Executive Leaders at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility through CACI, Inc.

Do you have a hard time saying no to an opportunity?How do you know when to say no?Creating a boundary around where you invest your time and energy is critical in business and life. Consider that true success is what you say no to. In this Uplift Kitsap, learn three methods to say no when vetting opportunities or decisions that will free up your time and energy and create more peace of mindPresenter Anna Sun Choi, CEO and Founder of Conscious Business Coaching, TEDx Speaker, and Forbes Author, is committed to elevating humanity’s consciousness by empowering high achieving, six-figure conscious entrepreneurs to master their energy while growing their business with balance–not burnout.Anna brings over 10,000 hours of mastery in coaching on leadership development, high performance, and stress management for hundreds of conscious entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses.

As pandemic restrictions lift, many companies are left grappling with how to re-think their workplace, especially against the backdrop of whether to transition into a hybrid work model. In this Uplift Kitsap, we will discuss three of the most pressing challenges for future workplaces along with opportunities that can further enable workers to thrive, businesses to grow, and corporate cultures to live—from anywhere.HIGHLIGHTSWhat companies can do today to prepare for the future workplace—whatever that may look likeHow you can maximize your time working in the office and working from homeWhat opportunities can be gained from a hybrid workforceYOUR PRESENTERLeni RiveraLeni Rivera is a Workplace Experience specialist and author of the book "Workplace Experience." Her passion is creating work environments that enable all employees to be both productive and happy, regardless of where that is.Leni’s career spans 20 years and three continents. With corporate leadership roles in interior design, real estate development, and global workplace services, Leni has the unique ability to understand the impact of a physical environment on employee behavior, business growth, and culture expression.Currently, Leni is finishing her master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, enhancing her robust knowledge of organizational behavior.Today, as the world begins emerging from the pandemic and organizations start to rethink the future of their workplace, Leni is front and center helping leaders and peers develop a Workplace Experience that drives safety, flexibility, and productivity, allowing employees and businesses to continue to thrive.

Tax laws have changed enormously over the past few years, and more changes are on the way. What does this mean for your small business? What are the tax benefits? The tax risks? Find out in this Uplift Kitsap when we highlight key factors and effects of new and upcoming tax laws.PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTSRecent changes, tax benefits, and qualification criteriaUpcoming changes and tax planning opportunitiesRobust Q & A for small business tax scenariosYOUR PRESENTERJohnnie HawkinsJohnnie Hawkins, CPA, is a partner at Olympic Tax and Business Consulting. He is a highly skilled accountant who often receives great reviews from his clients. Johnnie specializes in tax and accounting services for small to medium-sized businesses. He also has lots of experience working with not-for-profit entities. Johnnie began his full-time career in public accounting in 2006 after graduating in the top ten percent of his class from the University of Washington where he majored in accounting and minored in applied computing. Johnnie is a member of the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants and a certified QuickBooks Pro-Advisor. He has been a guest lecturer at the University of Washington.

It’s time to move forward in 2021. In this Uplift Kitsap, consultant and creator Dan Weedin will lead the conversation about conquering the hills of business and life while preparing for the realities post pandemic.PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTSMindset around adversity opportunity is crucial for moving forward in business and life.There is no “new” normal; it’s just that there is no normal anymore. We all need to be nimble.Specific things you can do to end 2021 at full speed.YOUR PRESENTERDan WeedinDan Weedin has worked with countless small and medium sized businesses over 30 years to help them grow and protect their most valuable assets and company wealth. Based in Poulsbo, Dan has had success with clients all over the world in helping them achieve their business and personal goals. As both a business consultant and insurance broker, he wants to assure that all his clients are prepared for whatever challenges they will face.Dan is a monthly business contributor for the Kitsap Business Journal, writing about business and life topics. He is also host for the nationally syndicated entrepreneur-focused podcast, The Shrimp Tank Podcast

The process of building a productive workforce doesn’t end after a hiring decision is made. Without a comprehensive plan in place, you run the risk of watching your new employees walk out a constantly revolving door. The greatest strength of any successful organization is its employees. In this Uplift Kitsap we will talk about best practices supervisors can implement to help set up new employees for success.YOUR PRESENTERSUplift Kitsap Panelists: Jeremy Flowers and Taylor JerniganJeremy Flowers, Regional Developer with Express Employment Professionals, is an operations and business development executive who leverages resources, insights, and best practices to drive aggressive growth. Jeremy is dedicated to professionally developing his direct reports, driving down employee turnover and increasing engagement. He is known for building up people and teams, driving efficiency and productivity and generating exceptional results for employers.Taylor Jernigan, Employee Relations Administrator with Kitsap Bank, has comprehensive human resource experience including talent management, training, benefits, and compensation. Her experience spans hospitality, medical, and banking in both union and nonunion environments. Taylor joined Kitsap Bank about three years ago. She loves the community atmosphere. She is a business school graduate of the University of San Francisco.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the shift to remote work not only kept the economy moving but helped ensure the availability of public services. During this Uplift Kitsap, we’ll hear how our local WorkSource office successfully managed its teams from traditional in-person services to a 100-percent remote workforce. Mike Robinson will share the journey of his team in this transition, their challenges, and solutions. Learn more about best practices and the future of remote work.YOUR PRESENTER:Mike Robinson has dedicated his life to public service. Upon retiring from the US Navy, he joined the State of Washington Employment Security Department’s local team at WorkSource Kitsap. His journey into workforce development began during the Great Recession. Mike is responsible for the growth and development of relationships within the WorkSource partnership including government agencies, local business, economic development organizations, labor, and community-based organizations to enhance the area’s economy and community support. While leading teams at WorkSource Kitsap, Clallam, and Jefferson Counties, Mike has been a Silverdale Chamber member for the last 6 years.

When faced with adversity and overwhelming odds stacked against you and your business, how do you pivot and reinvent?Hear how these two entrepreneurs dug deep, got creative and found very unexpected ways to save their business and turn things around.HIGHLIGHTSUtilizing your values and culture to create meaningful changeLetting go of what was in favor of new possibilitiesInspiration on finding the tenacity and fortitude to push through adversityYOUR PRESENTERS:Panelists Alisha Weiss and Monica DownenAlisha Weiss is the founder and CEO of Skyhawk Press in Poulsbo. She is an engineer turned entrepreneur. Alisha is passionate about telling stories through products and creative graphic design. For the past decade, her company has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world to create high-performing apparel and merchandise as well as creating from-scratch brands to scale.Monica Downen is the owner of Monica’s Waterfront Bakery & Café in Old Town Silverdale. She is a law enforcement dispatcher turned chef. Monica is passionate about creating positive experiences for others. Since 2006, her company has nourished the community through engaged relationships. With change all around, Monica believes the ability to adapt, flex, and go with the flow are superpowers everyone can embrace.

In this Uplift Kitsap we turn our attention to the small-business agenda and the recently adjourned 2021 legislative session. Hear about State-level progress on top issues and what it means for local businesses and our community.YOUR PRESENTERDave MontoureDave Montoure is Chair of the Government Affairs Committee for the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce and the co-owner of KettleFish Seafood Counter in Old Town Silverdale.

Many individuals can find themselves released from prison but locked out of work. Successful reentry programs give former offenders opportunities to support themselves through legitimate and productive work, reducing recidivism and improving public safety. But finding employment or being able to start a business is only part of the equation. Research reveals many barriers that inhibit someone’s ability to be successful upon reentry. In this Uplift Kitsap we shine a spotlight on the work of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe’s Welcome Home Reentry Program within Kitsap County. This program models a human dignity approach to reentry—providing healing, hope, and opportunities—for those who are and have been incarcerated to become contributing members of society and embrace a positive future.HighlightsHow reentry programs can support a healthy and thriving communityInvolving businesses in reentry and creating opportunities to increase quality of life and reduce recidivism.Presenter:Janel McfeatJanel Mcfeat is the Project Manager/Strategic Planner for the Second Chance Act Community-based Adult Reentry grant. She holds a BA in Social Work from Pacific Lutheran University and is pursuing a master’s in Social Work. She has worked 20 years in case management, victim advocacy, restorative justice, Tribal probation and reentry, court services, and does strategic planning for human dignity reentry models. Ms. Mcfeat is certified in Moral Resonation Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, tapping to reduce PTSD, Conflict Resolution, and in White Bison 12 Step Medicine Wheel. She is also qualified in Correctional Assessment and Intervention System™ and is a Restorative Circle Practitioner. Ms. Mcfeat presents this human dignity reentry model to state and national audiences in hopes that the culture of corrections will shift to more restorative practices and a human dignity reentry model will be infused into jail and prison systems throughout the country.