the weekly seattle

The holidays are a big time for travel, so we sat down with the President of the Americas of Intrepid Travel to talk all about this industry. We cover their latest partnership with REI, how travel has changed over the years, and the most popular countries to travel to. All of this and your weekly news update!Top Stories:1. REI brings back travel experiences with Intrepid Travel2. New Alaska Airlines routes3. Expedia to acquire online booking platforms4. Wild Waves Theme Park to shut downAbout guest Leigh' Barnes - President of the Americas, Intrepid Travel:Leigh has worked for Intrepid for the past 15 years and was named the President of the Americas about a year ago. He is also the Publisher of Adventure.com which is a adventure news platform. About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

The CEO of SAM joins us for a conversation on the unexpected realities of running a major museum, the unique costs, and the bold changes coming to SAM including a full restaurant and bar, expanded hours, and a fresh approach to attracting repeat visitors.We also talk FIFA coming to Seattle and how Scott plans to capitalize on the global spotlight. As the only art director of a major museum with a studio art background, Scott brings a radically different perspective. About a year and a half into the role, Scott is ready to shake things up!Top Stories:1. The business of museumsSeattle Times article and PSBJ article 2. FIFA games in Seattle announcedVisit Seattle press release3. Chateau Ste. Michelle has a new ownerSeattle Times articleAbout guest Scott Stulen - CEO, Seattle Art Museum:Prior to coming to Seattle about a year and a half ago, Scott was the CEO of the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa and was a curator at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Not only does he have a long history of working in leadership positions within the arts, he is also an artist and DJ himself!About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

Rough & Tumble JUST opened a new location in Columbia City so we brought back the Founder & Owner to fill us in on the behind-the-scenes of what it's like opening a second location of her iconic sports bar in Seattle. Jen Barnes shares what challenges she had to overcome to be able to stream women's sports in her restaurants and the legal battle she got into with HBO. We talk about how the minimum wage increase has impacted her business, why many restaurants are combining themes/entertainment with their brick and mortar, and how Seattle is preparing for FIFA! You'll also hear the exclusive story of how she put a basketball court floor in her bar...All of this along with your top news stories.Top Stories1. Rough & Tumble opens second location in Columbia CityFormidable article about Jen2. Picklewood opens in SODOPSBJ article3. The Ink Drinker opens in Ballard (no article)4. Pike Brewing closes locations in Pike Place & affordability issues for small businessesEater article & Seattle Times articleAbout guest Jen Barnes - Founder & Owner, Rough & Tumble:Three years ago, Jen Barnes launched one of the world’s first sports bars dedicated to elevating both women’s and men’s sports. Since then, she has partnered with more than a dozen teams and leagues, become a part-owner of Seattle’s Salmon Bay FC women’s soccer team, and is now preparing to open Rough & Tumble’s second location. Before founding the bar, Jen built her career in the corporate startup and legal industry.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

We sit down with the General Manager for Olympic Athletic Club to learn all about how the gym industry has changed over the years and what makes this one so unique. We talk about the demand for amenities, their recent renovation, the importance of good talent, and much more. All of this along with your weekly business news roundup!Top Stories:1. The business of gymsPSBJ article2. Rad Power Bikes might shut downGeekWire article3. BECU merger & Perkins Coie mergerPSBJ article (BECU) & PSBJ article (Perkins Coie)4. Starbucks strike updateSeattle Times articleAbout guest Jean-Luc Pedanou - General Manager, Olympic Athletic Club:Jean-Luc has been the General Manager for about a year and a half. Prior to this he was the General Manager at an Equinox in Northern California and held leadership roles at The Bay Club in San Francisco. He has also worked in leadership at many fitness clubs in New York.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

We talk to the General Manager & the Director of Business Operations for the Seattle Torrent, the newest team added to the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). In this episode, we discuss why the PWHL ownership is unique, why they are playing the first season without the new jerseys, why the head coach was chosen, and how they plan to collaborate with the other major sports teams here. All of this and your top business news stories!Top Stories:1. PWHL team: New name, new logo, and season starting!2. Barnes & Noble returns to downtown3. FRS Clipper partners with SeahawksAbout guest Meghan Turner - General Manager, Seattle Torrent:Meghan was a professionally player herself and built a career as a consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers. She then became the Assistant General Manager of the Boston Fleet prior to landing this role at Seattle Torrent.About guest Madi McNamara - Director of Business Operations, Seattle TorrentMadi has a long history working in sports, specifically at Seattle Sports Commission for close to five years, as well as working at Visit Seattle our CVB before stepping into this role.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com Learn more about Top of the Tower Recording Studio: www.topofthetowerstudios.com

We talk to the Founder & CEO of a company that pioneered human composting as an alternative to burial or cremation. Katrina shares how she went from architecture school to creating this company that ultimately allowed Washington to be the FIRST state to legalize this practice in 2019. Today 14 states have legalized this new option. In this episode we also talk about how the death industry is changing, how she plans to scale, and her biggest architecture fear. All this and your top business stories!Top Stories1. The business of deathIn Seattle, art rises from ashes as cremation gains popularity (Seattle Times)Seattle funeral directors worry we’re running out of space to care for our dead (Seattle Times)2. Crocodile closes 2 venuesGoodbye to Madame Lou’s and Here-After (The Stranger)3. Urban Visions acquires Grand Central BlockUrban Visions buys Pioneer Square's Grand Central Block at steep discount (PSBJ)About guest Katrina Spade - Founder & CEO, Recompose:Recompose is a company that pioneered human composting as an alternative to burial and cremation. Katrina has her masters degree from UMass Amherst where she developed the concept that led to Washington becoming the first state to legalize this in 2019. Prior to this she was a co-founder of a design build company.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

As the GM of The Spring District, Linda brings us the inside scoop on the commercial real estate industry as well as interesting details like how the retail shops were chosen for this neighborhood and how she partnered with the city of Bellevue for success. All this and your top stories!Top Stories:1. Update on The Spring District2. Amazon (and Meta) layoffs3. Heritage Distilling closes tasting rooms4. Little Saigon landowner sues the cityAbout guest Linda Hoffner - General Manager, The Spring District, Wright Runstad & Company & Host, Whatever She's Having podcast.Linda has a long history of working in commercial real estate. She is on the board of Rainier Athletes, Bellevue Chamber, Eastrail Partners, and is the President-Elect for CREW. She is a 425 and PSBJ 40 Under 40 and a 425 Magazine Woman to Watch. She is also a former Mrs. Washington for the Mrs. America competition!Watch Whatever She's Having podcast!About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

Washington's music sector directly contributes $6.4 billion annually to the state's GDP, six times more than spectator sports. We sit down with longtime music industry businessman and current CEO of Sonic Guild Ben London to discuss everything from ticket prices, why we can't go back to the 90's, what the city needs to do to help musicians thrive.Top Stories1. Census results about the music industry in Washington state2. Live Nation CEO thinks ticket prices can be higher3. Broadway actors and producers reach tentative labor deal, but musicians still threaten a strike4. Ceramics nonprofit moves into Amazon headquarters buildingAbout guest Ben London - CEO, Sonic Guild:Ben has been leading Sonic Guild, a non-profit organization that supports local musicians for the past 7 years. Prior to this role he was the Executive Director of the PNW chapter of The Recording Academy, he was on the board of KEXP, he was the first Chair of the Seattle Music Commission, and he was instrumental in developing what is now MoPop.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

Rachel plays the audio from her panel discussion with prominent AI professionals in Seattle discussing our assumption in this space and the race to innovate. This event was held on October 3rd at World Trade Center by Emily Parkhurst of Formidable. It featured multiple panels during this half-day event. Your weekly business news roundup is still at the beginning of the episode!The Race to InnovateSpeakers:Arry Yu, managing director of Yellow Umbrella Ventures, chair of the Advanced Technologies Council for the Washington Technology Industry AssociationZiyan Huang, applied science leader, AmazonElaine Chang, technical advisor to the chief communications officer, MicrosoftLearn more about Formidable: www.beformidable.comTop Stories:1. Seattle Children's gets new CEO and Seattle University President leaves2. Microsoft donating AI tools for Washington state schools3. More restaurants close including Mbar About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

The Founder & CEO of Hot Tub Boats explains how he came up with this unique idea to create the first hot tub boat ever in Seattle, WA. Adam talks about how he funded the project, the lessons he learned along the way, and his recent expansion into California. We also talk about production challenges with the new tariffs, who he will sell his boats to, and so much more! All this and your top business news stories.Top Stories:1. The business of hot tub boats2. More emergency drones to be built in Seattle3. Smartsheet layoffs and new CEO4. KidsQuest Museum to buy Bellevue Arts Museum buildingAbout guest Adam Karpenske - Founder & CEO, Hot Tub Boats:Adam earned his degree in Maritime Studies and Marine Carpentry and has been working as a shipwright (a shipbuilder) ever since. In 2012 he started the company we know today here in Seattle as Hot Tub Boats.Rachel's event for queer women:Lesbian Chronicles LIVESaturday, October 18thReverie Ballroom7pm: Social Hour8pm: Show9:30pm: After PartyBuy Tickets--About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

We're on the hockey rink with the SVP of Social Impact & Civic Affairs for Seattle Kraken and Executive Director of the Kraken's nonprofit One Roof Foundation Mari Horita. This episode covers the behind-the-scenes of the Memorial Stadium renovation project, how one meeting changed her career from President of ArtsFund to her current position, and what conversations are being had in the boardroom of Seattle Credit Union. Lastly, we discuss her top takeaways from working in the arts industry.All this and your weekly business news roundup!Top Stories1. Memorial Stadium update2. Starbucks layoffs and store closuresGeekWire article3. Heritage Bank to acquire Kitsap BankPSBJ article4. Mariners leaving ROOT SportsGeekWire article5. The role of Bellevue's creativePSBJ articleAbout host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Rachel's event for queer women:Lesbian Chronicles LIVESaturday, October 18thReverie Ballroom7pm: Social Hour8pm: Show9:30pm: After PartyBuy TicketsContact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

Eliza recently took over as CEO of this historic 1908 Capitol Hill venue from the former owner of Century Ballroom. In this episode we'll talk about how to balance executing your own vision, while still paying tribute to what made the venue successful before. We learn from her remodeling hiccups and why there were construction delays, we discuss the different business models for arts venue spaces, and finally we get vulnerable about how lonely being an entrepreneur can be. All this and your weekly top business news stories!Top Stories:1. Reverie Ballroom opens in Century Ballroom space2. Multiple experiential entertainment venues openPSBJ article and another one about a Rage Room3. Woodinville hotel opens after construction delaysPSBJ article4. New CEOs: Hawaiian Airlines, Darigold, and T-MobileHawaiian Airlines, Darigold and T-MobileAbout guest Eliza Wilder - CEO & Owner, Reverie Ballroom:Eliza has her BFA in Theater Directing from Cornish College of the Arts and has spent the past decade producing sold-out theater and circus productions, directing large-scale corporate events, and founding High-Fidelity Fusion, and international dance festival. She's a lifelong dancer, award-winning filmmaker, and a nationally recognized dance instructor. She took over as owner of this historic space earlier this year. Learn more: https://www.reverieballroom.com/About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Rachel's event for queer women:Lesbian Chronicles LIVESaturday, October 18thReverie Ballroom7pm: Social Hour8pm: Show9:30pm: After PartyBuy TicketsContact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

In this special episode, Rachel visits her alma mater and interviews her former media professor to talk all things media. This episode will feel like you're right back in a college classroom trying to make sense of the world. They talk about how media consumption has changed over the years, why we are so divided and the role media plays, and when we stopped trusting media. They also discuss topics like the recent cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel and what that means for our democracy. Lastly, they discuss how we perceive the value of college now and whether it is worth the investment.About guest Esteban Del Rio, PhD - University of San DiegoEsteban del Río is professor of communication at the University of San Diego and serves as the director of the Frances G. Harpst Center for Catholic Thought & Culture. Prior appointments at USD include associate provost, advisor to the provost for faculty affairs, director of the Center for Inclusion & Diversity, and department chair.del Río holds a Ph.D. in communication from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His primary research is in Latino media studies. He currently teaches Media & Conflict (COMM 338) and Communication Integration Experience (COMM 492).About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

This week Michelle, CEO of ULMS and Co-Founder of BFCF dives into the nonprofit world. She discusses how her organizations collaborate with Washington state government, the story behind BFCF’s Reign jersey sponsorship, and the evolution of workforce development. And as always, your top news of the week.Top Stories:1. How Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle impacts the city2. Rough & Tumble to open second location in Columbia City3. xAI to open Seattle hub for engineers & Microsoft new RTO policyAbout guest Michelle Merriweather - CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle & Co-Founder, Black Future Co-Op FundMichelle joined Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle in 2015 and stepped into the CEO role in 2018. She co-founded the Black Future Co-Op Fund in 2020. She was recognized as a Puget Sound Business Journal Woman of Influence, and recognized on the Power 100 list. Michelle serves on several boards, including United Way of King County, KUOW, the Alliance for Education, and the Downtown Seattle Association. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.Rachel's event for queer women:Lesbian Chronicles LIVESaturday, October 18thReverie Ballroom7pm: Social Hour8pm: Show9:30pm: After PartyBuy TicketsAbout host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

It's just Rachel this week recapping the Seattle business news. She also gives a personal life update (hello Mayoral debate?!) and a teaser for upcoming guests.Top Stories:1. Restaurant closures continue (plus Mamnoon and Outer Planet)2. Climate Pledge Arena switches to reusable cups3. HomeStreet Bank merges with Mechanics Bank4. Former AWS CEO goes to private equity5. Waymo is coming to Seattle6. Lumen Field updatesRachel's event for queer women:Lesbian Chronicles LIVESaturday, October 18thReverie Ballroom7pm: Social Hour8pm: Show9:30pm: After PartyBuy TicketsAbout host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

Longtime journalist Rob Smith is back in the studio! He was the Executive Editor for Seattle Magazine/Seattle Business Magazine when we recorded our 3rd ever episode. And now he returns to talk about his career shift to Formidable, his take on billionaires owning media companies, and why Seattle has the most expensive Ubers. In honor of Bumbershoot happening, we also recap the business history of this iconic festival.Top Stories:1. Bro-PO: More IPOs, less women2. King 5 and KONG owner Tegna to be acquired3. New rewards program and facial recognition for Alaska Airlines 4. Uber Eats pays $15M to Seattle in settlement5. Cannonball Arts opened downtownAbout guest Rob Smith - Executive Editor, Formidable:Rob has a long history of journalism. He was the Editor-in-Chief at the Portland Business Journal, moved into the Editor-in-Chief role at the Puget Sound Business Journal. Then he was the Executive Editor for Seattle Magazine and Seattle Business Magazine before his recent move to Executive Editor for Formidable – a media and membership company.Rachel's event for queer women:Lesbian Chronicles LIVESaturday, October 18thReverie Ballroom7pm: Social Hour8pm: Show9:30pm: After PartyBuy TicketsAbout host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

The CEO of Whitepages enlightens us about the importance of sharing information in order to have a source of truth, the rise and fall of ReachNow, and we connect over our shared passion for a Ponzi scheme story.Top Stories:1. Allen Institute for AI lands $152M from Nvidia and NSF2. More tech layoffs: Oracle, F5, T-Mobile3. Everett man indicted for Ponzi scheme (and this article)4 Washington grapes save BC wineries after freezeAbout guest Leigh McMillan - CEO, Whitepages:Leigh joined Whitepages in 2017 to lead its consumer division. Two years later, she became CEO, steering the company through a new phase of growth. Before Whitepages, Leigh led marketing and growth at fast-moving startups like Avvo, which she helped grew one of the internet’s largest legal marketplaces, and ReachNow, BMW’s U.S. mobility service. Earlier, she led communications for the Seattle Mariners during the high-stakes campaign for a new ballpark and served as National Finance Director for U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell.Outside of the office, Leigh is an investor in Seattle-area funds, including the Allen Institute’s AI2 incubator, and serves on the board of the Transparency Coalition, a non-profit advocating for responsible development of AI technology. She is also co-owner and winemaker at her family’s winery, Welcome Road, and is an active supporter and former board member of Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

The President & CEO shares with us how she chooses locations for new stores, why there's not a veggie burger on the menu, and if we will see seating back in the Queen Anne store. We also cover the unique challenges of leading a family business as a member of the third generation, how the minimum wage increase impacted the business, and how she feels it is not the right time for the proposed B&O tax change.Top Stories:1. New(ish) Dick's Drive-In location2. Smartsheet and First Fed CEO step down3. Changes in labor market for tech grads4. Opinion: B&O TaxAdditional article referenced: PSBJ article about changes in labor marketOp-ed by Rachel SmithMy friend's businesses:Hairdresser: Charlie at Beehive Salon in Queen AnneMassage Therapist: Kat Murray in EastlakeAbout guest Jasmine Donovan - President & CEO, Dick's Drive-InJasmine is the granddaughter of founder Dick Spady. She grew up in the family business working on and off since 16, officially joining the executive team in 2013 and taking over as President from her father, in 2019. She is also a Navy veteran with degrees in math, chemistry, and business. Jasmine serves on the boards of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, the Rainier Club, and Evergreen Operating Companies.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

The General & Artistic Director of the Seattle Opera shares how the business model of the opera, and arts organizations as a whole, have changed over the years. We talk about why producing an opera is expensive, how leaders should approach funding as an investment rather than a charity gift, and lastly he dispels the myth that the opera is just for the elite.All of this along with breaking down Starbucks moving away from pick-up only stores and Zillow being sued. Again.Top Stories1. The business of performance art2. Starbucks to shut down pick-up only concept3. CoStar sues Zillow over copyright infringementAbout guest James Robinson - General & Artistic Director, Seattle Opera:James took over as the General & Artistic Director in September 2024. Prior to this, James was the Artistic Director at the Opera Theater of Saint Louis where he commissioned 11 world premieres. As a stage director, he has also directed at least 75 new productions at the world’s top theaters. James is the 5th person to lead the Seattle Opera in the 61 year history.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

As the Principal of a construction company, Tess shares with us why construction projects can get behind schedule, how building in Seattle compares to other cities, and why she's diversified her company portfolio in recent years. All of this along with breaking down the lawsuit over the Microsoft project, opening of pier 58, and the second sale of Convoy.Top Stories1. Construction industry updateno article2. Pier 58 opensSeattle Magazine article3. Contractors sue Skanska Balfour Beatty over Microsoft projectPSBJ article4. Convoy sells againGeekWire articleAbout guest Tess Wakasugi-Don - Principal, GLY Construction:Tess started at GLY as an intern and worked her way up to a Principal and has been with the company for 20 years now. She is also the President Elect of NAIOP (a professional commercial real estate organization). She is on the board of Seattle Children’s Foundation as well as ACE (architecture, construction, engineering) Mentor Board. Tess was a Puget Sound Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree.About host Rachel Horgan:Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego. Contact:Email: info@theweeklyseattle.comInstagram: @theweeklyseattleWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com