2014 Women in Business - 2014 Women in Business

CELEBRATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS BUSINESS WOMEN HAVE MADE ON

ORCAS ISLAND

An advertising supplement published by the Islands’ Sounder

WWW.ISLANDSSOUNDER.COM Wednesday, October 22, 2014 • The Islands’ Sounder

The Women Business Owners, one of the Puget Sound’s leading organization for women entrepreneurs, has named Eastsound business owner Jill Blankenship as the winner of its 2014 Nellie Cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year Awards Competition. Blankenship was honored at the Oct. 2 sold-o ut Nellie Awards Gala held at the Four Seasons Hotel, Seattle. Blankenship is pictured above on the left.

Since 1982, the award has honored Puget Sound region women who have enhanced the status of women entrepre-neurs through their vision, perseverance and fearless leader-ship in business and the community. To qualify, a nominee must own at least 51 percent of her business, have owned it

for five years or more and have three or more employees. Candidates are judged on their entrepreneurial spirit, ethics and community commitment, financial and management skills and the risk undertaken to achieve success.

Jill moved to Orcas in 1998 and recognized its economic dependency as a tourist destination. She created Frontline Call Center as a response to the need for year-round island based employment. Jill has also been an active member of the community for 14 years serving in various com-munity leadership positions including the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce and the San Juan County Economic Development Council. Her passion for helping others led her to be the philanthropist behind Orcas Angels, whose mission is to serve the economic needs of island citizens and develop partnerships with other charities, thus meeting needs that aren’t met by traditional government resources.

Since opening the Eastsound location, Jill has opened call centers in rural communities in 11 other states, and in 2013 was named the Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

“Jill’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions to seasonal employment has changed entire communities. Her ground-breaking approach and community involvement truly mirrored the innovation and tenacity displayed by Nellie Cashman herself,” said Kay Smith-Blum, 2013 Nellie winner and judge of the 2014 competition.

Blankenship wins award

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Wednesday, October 22, 2014 • The Islands’ Sounder WWW.ISLANDSSOUNDER.COM Page 11

by CHERIE SARRETTJournal of the San Juans

Sales Manager

From 1964 to 2014 the changes for women in busi-ness has been significant.

When I first started work-ing in 1967, women made up a very small part of the total workforce. Although the Equal Pay Act of 1963 was in place at that time, women only made 66 per-cent of the income that their male counterparts made.

Yet we were happy to be working. Who were we? Were we the ladies from “Mad Men”? Were we the beautiful wife who could survive on her looks, the voluptuous secretary with benefits or the naïve, well educated, driven woman who wanted to work in a man's world and be treated as an equal? We were all of these women. We wanted to bring home the bacon and still be the best mother and wife possible. Now that we had the chance, we wanted to do it all.

My experiences in the workforce in the 1960s were much like you see on TV. The term “being hit on” was evident daily. We were attractive, we wore skirts, therefore we were

free game. There was no lack of

dodging the hands that lin-gered a little too long or the ever-present sexual remarks and innuendos. I remember making $1.89 an hour and being told I was lucky to be making that “as a woman.” In part, we believed it. But in our hearts we knew our value, and we were willing to wait it out and prove our worth as productive employees no matter how long it took.

We instilled in our daughters the need to have a career, to be able to take care of ourselves and our families. My father died when I was 8 years old, and I watched my 8th grade-educated mother struggle to support two children while working two jobs: grocery clerk and cook at the school cafeteria. I didn't want that for me or for my daughters. I couldn't see taking the chance at being blindsided by the loss of the bread earner and not be able to recover.

By 2008, 56 percent of women were in the work-force up from 42 percent in 1975. But the pay for full-time working women in 2008 was still only 82

percent of a man's income. Statistics show that it will be 2085 before we actually make the same as our male equivalents.

Even today the glass ceil-ing is hard to break through. Women comprise only 4.6 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs. We have made strides, but not great strides. I believe

part of this is still the “good ole boy network” along with the “work-life” struggle that women contend with. It has been a struggle. But from someone who has been a part of this struggle for almost 50 years we are still strong and we are still women of sub-stance and passion.

L to R: Rita Bailey, Adrienne Vierthaler, RDH;Luann Pamatian, Michelle Wohlford, RDH;Debbie Shaw and Janna Carter; not pictured, Danielle Hamasaka

Monday-Friday 8 to 5 p.m.376-2656 • 83 Mt. Baker [email protected]

A look back at women in business

PTA Karey Keel-StidhamPatient Coordinator Anne Pekuri

PT Alyson Stephens, MSPTPTA Nancy Frey

Accounting Assitant Blythe SimpsonP.T. Tech/Aide Heather Ostle P.T. Tech/Aide Renae Harvey

Mon-Fri 8-4, by Appointment • 376-6604www.OrcasIslandpt.com

� e women of…

Please Join us for ourSixth Annual

Cider Press Party49 Deye Lane

Friday, Oct. 19 • 3-5:30 pm376-6604

Thank you to the many women in business who make our community special.

Mandy Nigretto

Thank you to all of my customers who have made my business such a success!

I love my work and look forward to giving you a great salon experience.

Please contact me atMandy’s Hair Haven, Eastsound,376-7376, Monday through Friday, by appointment, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., evenings available.

The women of the Lower Tavern

46 Prune Alley, Eastsoundwww.lowertavern.com • 376-4848


by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONGEditor/Publisher

Lisa Crowe spent well over a decade running a kitchen for hundreds of young campers.

Now she is out from behind the stove and over-sees a well-loved island tav-ern.

“You get to meet all kinds of different people, and we have a great staff,” said Crowe, who man-ages the Lower Tavern in Eastsound. “I like the busi-ness side, too. I love to do the ordering and schedul-ing and handling money. I am hands-on with it.”

Crowe was the food

service director of Camp Orkila for 15 years before moving on to the tavern five years ago.

Owner Jim Passer had been asking her for some time but she wasn’t ready to make the leap.

“It was a hard deci-sion for me but I wanted to spend more time with my daughter, Hailey. I was working so much,” she said.

When she is not at the tavern, Crowe is with Hailey, now a senior at Orcas High School.

“If I am not working, I am at the barn with our horses or hanging out with Hailey,” she said. “She only has a year left of school, so I am trying to grab every second with her.”

Prior to moving to Orcas, Crowe worked for a high volume catering restaurant and a horse breeding farm in Issaquah.

She came to the island for a seasonal position at Camp Orkila and never left.

“I had never been to Orcas even though I grew up in the Pacific Northwest,” she said. “I got off the ferry and thought it

was just gorgeous.”She met future husband

Erick at The Bungalow, which was located in the building that is now the White Horse Pub. Erick is the manager of San Juan Propane – Orcas.

In addition to two hors-es, the Crowes have four dogs in their family: Ruby, a Doberman, two mini Aussies named Bandit and Red Red and Sullie, a heel-er/corgi mix rescue from Texas.

Lisa says she loves run-ning the Lower Tavern.

“Jim is quick-witted and keeps you on your toes,” she said. “He is also one of the most caring people. He does what he can to help people and he doesn’t want any recognition.”

Lisa says their great-est challenge right now is staffing. The restaurant has experienced an increase in business but there is also more competition, which means potential staff mem-bers are working elsewhere.

“The island is so much busier but it’s a great prob-lem to have,” she said. Cali Bagby/Staff Photo

Lisa Crowe is manager of the Lower Tavern.

Serving Orcas Island customers with a smile

360 376-6566 18 Haven Road, Suite 120

Lots of items for the special woman or man on your list. Stop

in and see what’s new!

� ank you for supporting me in 36 years of business on Orcas Island! ~Denise Wilk

There are a lot of exciting things happen-ing at Frontline Call Center this year. We have opened a new division called Front-line Services where we are now providing professional services to a company that provides our call center software and have been able to hire 5 new employees in our Orcas Island of� ce.

The ability to open a business in the San Juan Islands has never been easier with today’s technology that allows people to work from anywhere. Businesses today no longer require that you have to meet on site before they will hire you. Through web based screen sharing and video conferencing the ability to meet with companies and run meetings can be done virtually.

Thinking outside the box and positive af� rmations have allowed me to continue to grow my companies and I look forward to the future and what I can do next! Henry Ford was right when he said, “Whether you think you can or think you can't – you're right.” Your belief system, like your computer, doesn't judge what you input; it simply accepts it as the truth. The key to cultivating and maintaining a positive mental attitude is to use your power of choice and take control of your thinking. It's a challenging task to develop a calm, focused mind, but well worth the effort.

Jill Blankenship


by COLLEEN S. ARMSTRONGEditor/Publisher

Over the years, Marlace Hughes had thought about owning Ray’s Pharmacy. And after it unexpectedly became a reality seven years ago, it’s where her heart is.

“I love being a small busi-ness owner and serving the community on Orcas,” she said.

More than a decade ago, Marlace met her future husband Rick at Ray’s Pharmacy. He was visiting his father, who made the fateful introduction.

Marlace later moved to San Francisco, where Rick was working for ESPN. Before she left Orcas, Marlace told pharmacy owners Jack and Robin Becker: if you ever want to sell, give me a call.

Several years later Rick quit his job, and the Hughes came back to the island for a brief respite before consid-ering a move to Seattle.

During that time, the Beckers took Marlace up on her offer and asked if she wanted to buy the phar-macy.

“We thought it would be a great experience to raise a family on Orcas and run a business that will help the people of Orcas Island,” Marlace said. “And we saw potential for growth ... It’s pretty funny that now we own the business where we met.”

Since purchasing Ray’s, Marlace has increased inventory, expanded the toy room, listened to custom-er input for needed items, expanded and modernized the pharmacy department and added insurance plans so more islanders would have prescription coverage.

In addition to prescrip-tions, supplements and vita-mins, the pharmacy has a wide array of health and beauty products, jewelry, candles, housewares, cloth-ing, shoes, candy, specialty chocolates, wine, cards and gifts for just about any occa-sion.

“We want to be one-stop shopping for people,” she said.

Marlace says customer service is a key part of her business philosophy – it is critical to build a loyal cus-tomer base to carry them through the lean winter months.

“Good customer service is what keeps people com-ing back,” she said. “We are grateful for our year-round customers. I hope everyone

supports local businesses because it is so important to local economy.”

While Rick has lent his support along the way, the business has always been Marlace’s venture. She over-sees 14 employees and says having a great staff is key.

“Our goal is to have one big family where everybody helps each other out,” she said. “I am so appreciative of my staff.”

When she is not busy running the pharmacy, Marlace is enjoying her 10-year-old son Ricky. Rick was elected to the San Juan County Council two years ago. Marlace says he has wanted to be involved with politics for a long time.

“We have been very for-tunate that everything has fallen into place,” she said.

Cali Bagby/Staff PhotoMarlace Hughes owns Ray’s Pharmacy in Eastsound.

Ray’s: a family-run pharmacy

A few days prior to the school year in 2006, my boys and I (who are now away at college) traveled from the Toronto area of Canada to take a look at the Orcas Christian School. We fell

head over bunnies and deer in LOVE with the island. � en a� er meeting the warm welcoming islanders and the OCS sta� and teachers we knew Orcas Island was to be our new lovely home.

Born and raised near Seattle in a home where contracting and property developments were a central part of life, both residential and commercial investments seem second nature to me. Education and working as a project administrator for my father’s commercial � rm prepared me for my next 15 years in Ontario, Canada a� er marrying. Aside from our main company of manufacturing and distribution of hospital charting products, we invested in century homes to restore as well as commercial warehouses and properties for side com-panies we opened – one of which was a 400-seat restaurant with a pub.

Residing in a completely “gutted” restaurant that we remodeled into a home (commonly known as � e Old Upper) my sons and I enjoy a fantastic view from windows to work, plan and dream in front of. Only a little over two years new to my real estate license and I’ve had successful closing deals: an island log home with guest house, the waterfront Vern’s Bayside Restaurant (now � e White Horse Pub), and a personal purchase of a home near Gateway Real Estate in Puyallup. I chose to hang my license with Gateway a� er my � rst starting months with Windermere since I was already working with my father’s commercial broker as my mentor.

Current listings include a private 40 acre estate on Hood Canal with over 2000’ of waterfront, a beautiful vacant lot on Orcas with zoning for multi-family on Enchanted Forest, also a gorgeous 11 acre parcel with water view near Shipsbay on Colgan Creek road that can be developed into 2 acre lots, and the new “rising star” of entertainment – � e Random Howse in Eastsound: a restaurant with live music, theater and danc-ing venues. Working with buyers, sellers, Orcas Recycling Services board and the community as a whole on beautiful Orcas Island has enriched my life in numerous ways – it truly feels like my forever home. I would be happy to serve in anyway. Please don’t hesitate to call.

in 2006, my boys and I (who are now away at college) traveled from the Toronto area of Canada to take a look at the Orcas Christian School. We fell

head over bunnies and deer in LOVE with the island. � en

Wendy Shinstine

www.orcasislandproperties.com360 298 5950 • [email protected]

I have enjoyed watching the community thrive and being an active volunteer in many organizations. My shop focus is to have just the right thing for you – antiques, collectibles, fur-niture, accent accessories, art, books, jewelry, Persian rugs (which are a particu-lar interest of mine), and other treasures of the heart

– to help give our lives more sparkle. I’ve been in busi-ness on Orcas since 1974, which probably makes it the oldest business on the island.

LOCATED INOUR HOUSE MALL

(360) 376-4538KAY MORGAN MILLER

OWNER

PERSIAN RUGSACCENT ACCESSORIES,

ANTIQUESGIFTS, JEWELRY,

ORIENTALIA,FURNITURE

OUR HOUSE MALL

ACCENT ACCESSORIES,


by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONGEditor/Publisher

Without meaning to, much of Mary Ann Sircely’s career has been centered around women.

In the 1980s, she launched a quarterly publication about women’s issues. For years she has been involved with an advocacy group in Pennsylvania that helps pass legislation for women’s rights and tackles issues like health care and voting. And the majority of her marketing firm’s clients are females.

“It is very rewarding to help women in business grow,” she said.

Before moving to Orcas in 2010, Mary Ann lived in Pennsylvania. After studying government, journalism and fine arts at Connecticut College, she worked as a reporter and editor at the Bucks County Courier Times. That is where she met her husband of 38 years, Harry, a photojour-nalist. He passed away this July from cancer.

After her time at the newspaper, Mary Ann worked as a freelance journalist. When Macintosh computers came out, the direction of her career shifted.

“With Macs, I was able to do all my own page design,” she said.

Mary Ann launched the Bucks County Woman, a quar-terly publication that highlighted local business owners.

In 1987, she started Sircely Marketing and Design, which offers full service communications. Mary Ann does website development, marketing strategies, logo and branding work and print materials. Her specialty is multi-media packages.

“I was trained in traditional journalism and I apply all those same principles to my graphic design work: honesty, ethics and integrity,” Mary Ann said. “If the client doesn’t agree, then we aren’t a good fit.”

Her oldest son Matthew moved to Port Townsend a dozen years ago and every time she and Harry would visit him, they never wanted to go home.

“We fell in love with the whole area. And then we discov-ered Orcas,” she said.

When they moved to the island, their son Erik came to design and build their home. He decided to stay and resides in Deer Harbor. Their only son not in the Northwest is Jason, who lives in Colorado.

Mary Ann has kept a lot of her clients from Pennsylvania in addition to those she has on Orcas. She works with free-lance writers and artists to keep up with the workload. Her favorite projects are ones that are versatile.

“When you can come up with a design that transcends the medium, when it can be used for many different things – that is my favorite,” she said.

One of her recent jobs was an all-island mailing for OPAL Community Land Trust.

“There were too many fonts, too many colors – I broke every rule. But there were so many people who contributed to it. It was such a fun project,” she said.

Much of Mary Ann’s time on Orcas has been spent caring for Harry, who battled lung cancer for years.

Now she wants to spend more time on her sailboat, take hikes on the island and raise her four-month-old chocolate lab, Rollo. Harry saw a photo of the litter prior to his death and was happy that Mary Ann would be raising a pup in his absence.

“Rollo gets me out of the house. It’s good for me,” she said.

Helping other women in business grow

Colleen Smith Armstrong/Staff PhotoAbove: Mary Ann Sircely with her four-month-old lab Rollo Left: The cover of Bucks County Woman, a publication that Mary Ann launched in Pennsylvania.

188 A Street (in the front of the Athletic Building)360.376.3659 / www.orcaspilates.com

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Teaching since 2005, Anne Marie Schultz isdelighted to be joined in the studio by fellow

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Curious? Call for your free consultation today!

New location!Michele Wiley and her

business Chele Enterprises are celebrating two years on Orcas Island and expanded into a new space! The business is now located in a larger o� ce in Suite #106 in the Village Plaza on North Beach Road.

Michele is a licensed inde-pendent agent with Chele En-

terprises, LLC/Madrona Point Insurance Services. She has numerous connections in the greater Seattle and Arlington-Smokey Point area and the San Juan Islands.

She represents many insurance carriers including Chubb, Kemper, Premier Marine, Travelers, Hartford and Progressive and many lines for commercial, gen-eral and professional liability.

With her strong commitment to community, Michele volunteers at the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce, Orcas Island Historical Museum and Arlington-Smokey Point Chamber of Commerce as an ambassador.Contact Michele Wiley today for a free insurance estimate!

Home | Auto | Commercial | Aviation Insurance

Insurance Services

365 North Beach Road, #106, Eastsound360-376-5707 offi ce | 360-722-2802 direct

www.cheleent.com

Michele Wileylicensed independent agent

A Touchof Rejuvenation

Walk-Ins Welcome!

Hot Stone • Balinese Foot Bath Re� exology • Organic Facials

Couples Romance • Men’s Deep Sport Medical/Injury • AcupunctureSenior Discounts • Gift Certi� catesAccepting Insurances, PIP and L&I

On the water in the Eastsound Sea Star Lofts344 Main St. Suite 103

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M O N K E Y PUZZLEC U R I O S I T I E S

360-376-2275 ■ Eastsound, WA360-376-2275 Eastsound, WA360-376-2275360-376-2275

What Monkey Puzzle offers is a space to not only design your own jewelry but also to design your

own jacket or vest. Sallie Bell has created patterns for the vests and jackets, but the clients become an integral part of the process when they choose

the colors and the pattern of their choice.


376-2230 (376-3693 after hours)Store Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30 am-6 pm, Sun 10:30 am-4 pmPharmacy Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm

376-2230 (376-3693 after hours)Store HoursPharmacy HoursPharmacy Hours

Women in Business at…

Left to right

Angie Boucher, Christina Savell, Wendy Hamaker,Robin Becker, Marlace Hughes

The women ofStudio Mierau

Offering hair services,nail services, tanning& great entertainment.

188 A Street, Eastsound376-7667

Margi, Tina, Susan, Kristin, Jodi and Hailey

D e b o r a h H a n s e nV i c t o r i a S h a n e r

K r i s t e n S l a b a u g hL i s a B o t i l l e r Wo l f o rd

M a r y C l u reE l a i n e G o o d r i c h

� e Women ofO R C A S I S L A N D

R E A LT Y l l c

LOCATED NEXT TO THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM ON NORTH BEACH ROAD

360.376.2145PO Box 171 Eastsound, WA 98245

www.orcasislandrealty.com

Orcas Fire & Rescue thanks its women

� re� ghters & EMTs

EMT/FF ladies of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (L to R): Rita Harvey, Shawn Petro, Patricia Ayers, Beth Wangen, Hilary Canty, Lanae Benner, Arna Robins, Annalies Schuh, Kari Schuh, and Rachel Harvey (in back). Absent from the photo were: Jennifer Corbin, Maria Nutt, Jaylin Peacock, Lesley Preysz, Lindsay Schirmer, Jill Sherman, Heather Thomas, and Monique Turner.

Liane OlsanACE-Certi� ed Personal Trainer

FIT 4U

360-376-5511 • [email protected]

Fitness training at homeor Orcas Athletics


Need a Marketing Lift?

Call 360.376.2830 | www.sircely.com

Writer and graphic designer Mary Ann Sircely is a seasoned marketing professional who bringsmore than 25 years of experience to businesses andnonprofits on Orcas Island.

Her passion is to help others succeed by putting smart marketing strategies and creative design towork for clients in print and on the web.

Turn to Sircely Marketing & Design for exceptional:

• Marketing strategies

• Branding and logo design

• Website design, website development and search engine optimization

• Print and promotional materials.

MARY ANN SIRCELY

Tara Hubbard, owner of Orcas Island Canvas, designs and creates customized canvas for boats, awnings and out-door furniture. Specializing in marine canvas, Tara also enjoys working with customers to create unique and personalized covers and enclosures for their homes, decks and outdoor living spaces.If you have a canvas project that you’ve been thinking of or you need to repair exist-ing canvas, give Tara a call at 376.7245 or email her [email protected].

Tara Hubbard, the owner of Orcas Island Canvas and Sails, has been an avid sailor and boater for nearly her entire life. After working in a sail loft in Seattle for 8 years, Tara established her own Orcas Island based canvas company, specializing in marine canvas and sail repairs.Tara has designed, created and repaired customized canvas for boats, awnings, outdoor bathtubs, outdoor furniture, and even a saw mill! She loves to design and construct typical and unusual projects, and welcomes even the most unique and creative opportunities.Tara offers pick up and delivery service. She can be reached at 376.7245 (SAIL) and [email protected].

Orcas Island canvas and saIls

Orcas Island Canvas

Our Women In Business

® Islanders Bank

Our attentive team provides a professional suite of

Consumer and Business banking products.

We also offer:

Secure Online and Mobile Banking Wireless Credit Card Services Loans and Lines of Credit including

Home Energy Improvements Affordable Housing Specialist

475 Fern Street Eastsound, WA 98245

(360)376-BANK (2265)

~Community Banking Since 1981~

www.IslandersBank.com

www.twilliamsrealty.com

Call 360-376-8374365 North Beach RoadEastsound

The Women of T Williams Realty

Collaborating for success in a competitive market with energy, integrity,

action, honesty, intention, knowledge, independence, community, friendship, family.

Roxy Marck, Beth Holmes, Mandy Randolph, Marlis Sandwith, Mary Ann Sircely. Seated: Tina Brown, Sandi Friel and Teri Williams.

Women of theIslands’ Sounder

Kathryn Sherman, graphic artist.

Colleen Smith Armstrong, editor and publisher.

Cali Bagby, assistant edi-tor and web editor.

Joanna Massey, circula-tion manager.

374 North Beach Road Eastsound, WA • (360) 376-5883

Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis

Rachel Newcombe, L.I.C.S.W

2014 Women in Business - 2014 Women in Business

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