Kitsap Business

Kitsap Business Kitsap Business Magazine is the leading voice of business, innovation, and community leadership across Kitsap County.

In this month’s Ecosystem Edge column, Phaidra Co-founder and COO Katie Hoffman shares why she’s building a global AI co...
12/10/2025

In this month’s Ecosystem Edge column, Phaidra Co-founder and COO Katie Hoffman shares why she’s building a global AI company—not in Seattle, not in the Bay Area, but right here in Kitsap.

In “Why I’m Building a Global AI Startup from Kitsap,” Katie breaks down the surprising advantages that make our region a strategic home for founders: affordability, access to talent, proximity to Seattle’s ecosystem, and the grounding power of life on the peninsula.

She also lays out a bold vision for what comes next—and what Kitsap needs to fully unlock its potential as the next frontier for Pacific Northwest innovation.

Look for The Ecosystem Edge every month in Kitsap Business for insights from Matchstick Lab and the entrepreneurs shaping what’s next.

The best place to build a tech company isn’t where you think

Meet our newest monthly columnist: Dan Weedin — consultant, coach, and self-proclaimed Head Dog Walker.Dan’s latest colu...
12/10/2025

Meet our newest monthly columnist: Dan Weedin — consultant, coach, and self-proclaimed Head Dog Walker.

Dan’s latest column, “Turning Great Ideas into Real Results,” dives into a challenge every entrepreneur knows well: what happens to all those conference notes, big ideas, and bursts of inspiration once we get back to real life?

In this month’s piece, Dan breaks down a simple three-part system to turn inspiration into action — and stay accountable long after the energy of the room fades.

Look for Dan’s column every month in Kitsap Business as he shares insights on leadership, resilience, and the habits that help business owners succeed.

Last month, I attended the Firebrand UNconference hosted by Matchstick Labs at Vibe Coworks. Nearly 80 entrepreneurs from all kinds of industries showed up for the second annual event.

Meet the leader behind one of Kitsap County’s most recognizable hometown coffee brands.Our latest Executive Q&A features...
12/08/2025

Meet the leader behind one of Kitsap County’s most recognizable hometown coffee brands.

Our latest Executive Q&A features Eric Mahler, CEO of Caffe Cocina and Caffe Cocina Coffee Roasting Co., who shares the story of how a family dream, a leap of faith, and a passion for craft reshaped a small Poulsbo coffee shop into a growing regional roaster serving customers in 29 states.

Mahler reflects on the company’s early days, the pivotal decision to begin roasting in-house, and the values that continue to guide its growth. He also talks openly about community leadership, entrepreneurship, and the balance he strives to keep between business and family.

From a new Roasting Headquarters on Finn Hill to a soon-to-open Silverdale café, Caffe Cocina is gearing up for its next chapter.

Read the full Q&A and get to know the story behind the beans, the brand, and the vision shaping one of Kitsap’s standout small businesses.

For more than a decade, Caffe Cocina has been a community touchstone in Poulsbo — a place where great coffee, local connection, and entrepreneurial grit intersect. At the center of it all is CEO Eric Mahler, whose unlikely path from banking to specialty coffee has shaped one of Kitsap County’s m...

A big thank-you to Lesli Dullum Taylor (Live Well Kitsap) and Brett Clark (BC Fitness Studio) for the shoutout on the pi...
11/26/2025

A big thank-you to Lesli Dullum Taylor (Live Well Kitsap) and Brett Clark (BC Fitness Studio) for the shoutout on the pilot episode of the Live Well Kitsap Thrive podcast. We appreciate the support and the work you’re doing to uplift health and wellness across our community.

If you missed it, you can read our feature on Brett Clark’s inspiring journey here: https://kitsapbusiness.com/from-fitness-struggle-to-success-story/

And be sure to check out Live Well Kitsap’s new podcast here: https://www.livewellkitsap.com/podcast

Watch, Learn, Live Well! Library of Podcast meant to enhance wellbeing!

A new event has just been posted on our Kitsap Business Events Calendar.Want to see your event featured on the Kitsap Bu...
11/26/2025

A new event has just been posted on our Kitsap Business Events Calendar.

Want to see your event featured on the Kitsap Business Event calendar? It’s easy — just fill out our self-serve submission form here: https://kitsapbusiness.com/submit-an-event/

South Kitsap Rotary

Join us for a jolly good time and kick off the holiday season for the 2nd annual South Kitsap Rotary Santa Sleighs 5K. This festive event will have participants dressing...

As we head into the holiday, we’re reminded of a simple truth: happiness doesn’t make us thankful. Thankfulness makes us...
11/25/2025

As we head into the holiday, we’re reminded of a simple truth: happiness doesn’t make us thankful. Thankfulness makes us happy.

In a busy world, gratitude is a practice. It’s the choice to pause, notice the good, and recognize the people and moments that make our communities strong. Here in Kitsap, we see it every day in small-business owners who keep showing up, volunteers who give quietly, and neighbors who support one another in ways big and small.

However you celebrate this week, we hope you find a moment to reflect, breathe, and appreciate the bright spots around you.

As we approach Thanksgiving, I’ve been thinking about a simple idea that’s easy to say, harder to practice, and powerful when we actually live it.

In this month’s The Ecosystem Edge column, Matchstick Lab board member Carol Kowalski breaks down how collaboration, pat...
11/17/2025

In this month’s The Ecosystem Edge column, Matchstick Lab board member Carol Kowalski breaks down how collaboration, patient capital, and a shared story are fueling real momentum for local founders.

She highlights the journey of Greg and Dionne Showers, whose company Backflow Assembly Solutions grew from a two-person startup into a trusted regional provider thanks to community support through the Matchstick Lab Micro Business Accelerator.

Growth in Kitsap’s entrepreneurial ecosystem doesn’t happen by accident.

Kitsap County Commissioner Christine Rolfes joined the Poulsbo Rotary Club this week to share a detailed look at the cou...
11/16/2025

Kitsap County Commissioner Christine Rolfes joined the Poulsbo Rotary Club this week to share a detailed look at the county’s biggest accomplishments — and the challenges ahead.

From parks expansion and homelessness response to infrastructure needs, ferry traffic, public safety pressures, and a tightening county budget, Rolfes outlined what’s working and where more support is needed.

It’s a wide-ranging update on issues shaping daily life and business across Kitsap County.

County Commissioner Christine Rolfes outlines key accomplishments, budget pressures, and infrastructure concerns in an address to the Poulsbo North Kitsap Rotary Club.

The Suquamish Tribe will acquire Kitsap OBGYN in January 2026, ensuring the long-standing practice can continue serving ...
11/16/2025

The Suquamish Tribe will acquire Kitsap OBGYN in January 2026, ensuring the long-standing practice can continue serving patients amid a growing regional shortage of providers. Clinics in Poulsbo and Silverdale will remain open, and services will continue for both tribal and non-tribal members.

“Kitsap County is often referred to as an ‘OBGYN desert’… By becoming part of the Suquamish Tribe’s medical offerings, we are able to operate more efficiently and effectively, allowing us to focus on our patients,” said Dr. Amity Marriott.

Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman said expanding into specialized women’s care will “benefit the greater region” while strengthening care options for tribal members.

Suquamish Tribe’s 2026 acquisition aims to stabilize women’s healthcare access and keep Kitsap OBGYN services operating without interruption

The Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce and Ward Media — publisher of Kitsap Business — have launched a new partnership that exp...
11/14/2025

The Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce and Ward Media — publisher of Kitsap Business — have launched a new partnership that expands benefits for Chamber members and strengthens regional business collaboration.

Starting Nov. 15, Poulsbo Chamber members will receive complimentary Kitsap Business subscriptions, discounted advertising opportunities, and increased visibility across our print and digital platforms. Each issue will also include a full-page Chamber feature highlighting member news, spotlights, and events.

This partnership builds on similar collaborations with chambers across Kitsap County, helping local businesses connect, grow, and reach new audiences.

The Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce and Ward Media, publisher of Kitsap Business magazine (KBM), have entered into a new partnership that expands opportunities for local businesses and delivers direct benefits to Chamber members across North Kitsap.

When politics so often divide us, Poulsbo reminds us what it looks like when integrity, respect, and love of community l...
11/13/2025

When politics so often divide us, Poulsbo reminds us what it looks like when integrity, respect, and love of community lead the way.

In this collaborative reflection, former mayoral candidate Dan Weedin and Ed Stern's campaign chair Daria Ilgen share how their opposing campaigns found common ground and why community must always come before politics.

In Poulsbo’s recent mayoral race, two neighbors — on opposite sides of the ballot — showed what it looks like when respect, humility, and love of community lead the way. In this collaborative reflection, Daria Ilgen and Dan Weedin share how their opposing campaigns found common ground through ...

You’ve still got a couple of days to nominate your favorite local business or nonprofit for our January 2026 Readers’ Ch...
11/13/2025

You’ve still got a couple of days to nominate your favorite local business or nonprofit for our January 2026 Readers’ Choice feature - Kitsap Picks!

Know a company or organization that’s making a big impact, leading with innovation, or inspiring others in the community? Drop their name in the comments of the original post below before midnight on Saturday, Nov. 15.

The top nominees will move on to a community vote at kitsapbusiness.com, where readers will decide who’s featured in our January issue.

Help us celebrate the people and businesses that make Kitsap thrive!

We’re launching a new monthly feature and we want you to help choose who’s in the spotlight!

Each month, we’ll ask our readers to nominate a standout Kitsap business right here on Facebook. Nominate a company that’s making an impact, innovating, or inspiring others.

We’ll take the top three nominations and open a community poll on kitsapbusiness.com where readers can cast their votes for the final feature story.

Nomination deadline for our January 2026 issue: November 15.
Step 1: Nominate your favorite business in the comments.
Step 2: Share this post and rally support!
Step 3: Vote when the poll opens on kitsapbusiness.com.

Let’s celebrate the businesses that make Kitsap thrive — together!

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Poulsbo, WA
98370

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