Features
'Everything begins with an idea'
“Everything begins with an idea.” Earl Nightingale may not have been talking about starting a business when he dropped this pearl in the 1950s, but the wisdom behind it holds to this day. According to the Idaho Department of Labor, 9,212 small businesses opened their doors in 2023 – but the U.S. Bureau of Labor reports that one in four small businesses fail within their first year of operation.
Training options abound for small businesses
While small businesses may not think they have a lot of options when it comes to training, citing either access, time, or cost, there is a lot more to choose from than they might think. "Start with the basics," Brent Baker, executive director of Pend Oreille Economic Partnership and founder of Elevate Now Consulting. "Know what all the bases are, and cover them, and in the right order. It is very common to see entrepreneurs doing a good job of working on the wrong thing."
Big benefits from small businesses
From brew pubs in Post Falls to boutiques on Sandpoint's historic First Avenue and all the way to the Center of the Universe in Wallace, small businesses reap huge rewards for their communities. "Small businesses are the heartbeat of Sandpoint," said Mickey Quinn, executive director of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce.
Toastmasters, NIA and Rotary play part in forging business bonds
Sharpening skills or honing in on specific types of business relationships are hard to foster in a vacuum, but organizations like Toastmasters, the North Idaho Alliance and Rotary Club offer focused opportunities to build community and train outside the workplace.
Summer brings big opportunities for small shops
Staff, inventory key challenges
The busy summer season is almost here and small shops like Bear Paw Cookies are bearing up for brisk business
Cedar Street Bridge connects community, businesses
Over the past 15 years, Shery Meekings, Creations owner, has faced different seasons at Cedar Street Bridge as ownership changed hands six times. While the bridge was at full capacity two years ago, 14 vendors left since then.
Evans Brothers Coffee brewing for 15 years
In the early days of running their business, brothers Rick and Randy Evans were focused on skiing almost as much as they were on coffee
Connect with customers in the Book of Lists
Make sure your business has a place in the 2024 Book of Lists.
Rotary donates book vending machines at Mt. Hall
The Rotary Club of Bonners Ferry donated a book vending machine to Mt. Hall Elementary School, including $600 worth of books in the beginning of May.
Business comings and goings
Embellishing merchandise with custom logos, ROJO Ink has opened at 1640 E. Schneidmiller Ave. (viewable from Interstate 90) in Post Falls.
Leonard Paul is the hub of Priest Lake
As long as visitors have been exploring Priest Lake, the Leonard Paul has been there to greet them. Movie stars (silent movie actress Nell Shipman built her studio nearby), trappers, miners, and prospectors in search of their fortune were regulars as were loggers and their families. So, too, did visitors look for a peaceful retreat and a taste of the lake life, or anglers heading out onto Priest Lake.
Community complements commerce
North Idaho events support local economy
The Inland Northwest's natural beauty draws people in, but it's the fairs, markets, holiday festivities, hometown celebrations and other events that maintain the vibrancy of the communities and keep visitors coming back for more.
Cyberattacks rising
Constant attacks costing private and government
Ken Wardinsky, chief information officer for North Idaho College, said an intruder accessed NIC’s network in October 2022 and in a short time caused "havoc” before being stopped.
Former school celebrates past, future as bed & breakfast
Some people can’t wait to leave school behind them. However, when it comes to the Northside School Bed and Breakfast, the opposite is true — people are anxious to go back.
