Mike Andes

Local Leaders Mike Andes

Sometimes Whatcom County is overlooked. To the North we have Vancouver, B. C. and to the South there is Seattle. It is easy to forget that Whatcom County has a rich history and numerous businesses and brands that have made a tremendous impact. When most people think about entrepreneurship in Washington they think of Microsoft and the tech scene of Seattle, but what about the local business people in our community? What struggles have they overcome to create successful companies? What can we learn from these small business owners that have built noteworthy brands over the course of many years? The Local Leaders project is intended to highlight the stories and people behind the most popular brands in Whatcom County. How did the likes of Woods Coffee, Faithlife, and Kombucha Town get started? What was their genesis and how have they been passed down from generation to generation? The goal is for you to see these entrepreneurs and their companies in a new light and have a deeper connection with them the next time you patronize these local businesses.