Name: Tracy Puhl
Organization: Women Entrepreneurs of Oregon
Favorite local coffee shop: Stumptown on Division. I’ve lived in the neighborhood for about 5 years, and I am fiercely loyal. It’s lovely to know your baristas!

How did you get involved with Start-Up PDX?

As current president of Women Entrepreneurs of Oregon, I was working on creating a mutually beneficial partnership with the Leadership and Entrepreneurship High School. When I heard that LEP was working on creating a conference to reach emerging entrepreneurs (particularly those who typically lack access to business resources, like women, low-income individuals, and minority communities), I was really excited to get on board! WEO is now engaged in an amazing partnership with LEP, and we’re proud to be sponsoring a really unique conference that is so in touch with what Portland’s communities need right now.

What aspect of the conference are you most excited about?

I  love that we’re essentially creating a “one stop shop” for entrepreneurs and small business owners. In my first stages of business ownership, I felt like I was frantically running around trying to figure out what I needed to know and what resources were available to me. My personal goal for this conference is to make sure that people like me leave Start-Up PDX feeling confident about their next steps and their connections with local organizations (like WEO!) that can help them on their journey.

What’s the #1 thing a new business owner needs to know?

That it’s okay to not know everything! When I first became the owner of GladRags, despite having been an employee, I realized there were a lot of intricacies that I didn’t understand. It was tempting to skate through and pretend like I knew what I was doing in areas where I lacked expertise, but I found that it was way more helpful to simply fess up and ask questions! I’ve gained an immense amount of knowledge and insight simply by asking people “I’m not clear on that. Could you please explain what that means?” Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

What’s the most rewarding part of owning your own business?

Everything. Seriously everything. I knew it would be hard work–and it is–but I honestly didn’t expect it to be so much fun. Owning a business is incredibly empowering; I feel like I can do anything! I never planned to be a business owner. My heart was in social services, but that’s a field where you can quickly get burnt our for a variety of reasons. With GladRags, I can integrate my values of environmental and social sustainability into work where I truly thrive.

So, tell me about GladRags. . .

GladRags manufactures and distributes washable cloth pads and other planet- and body-friendly products for women. Inspired by the simple utility, earth-friendliness, and comfort of cloth diapers, GladRags was founded in 1993 in Portland, Oregon. It began as a home based business that quickly outgrew the extra bedroom and moved into its own building. Today, GladRags is still a small company with a big presence, promoting positive attitudes toward menstruation and making the environment a safer, cleaner place. GladRags can be found in health food stores and natural pharmacies nationwide. I began as a GladRags customer, then was hired on as an employee, and now own the company!

Name: Adam Reid
Organization: Leadership and Entrepreneurship Public Charter High School
Favorite local restaurant: There’s so many!!!…Cassidy’s, Montage, EastBurn, Fire on the Mountain, Salt n Straw Ice Cream, Papa Hayden’s, Pizza Schmizza…the list goes on.

Tell me a little bit about LEP.

LEP High engages students in their learning experience and makes school and exciting place where they can thrive. Focusing on leadership and entrepreneurship, students learn how to take full control of their lives and create the future they want. We emphasize to our students that they should take their passions and make it their life, and if a career doesn’t exist where this can happen– create it! (we have student based businesses operating).

Other features include a college-prep curriculum that surpasses normal high school diploma requirements, project-based teaching methods, and real world experiences through internships and service learning with businesses and community organizations. Lastly, in the small school environment, students feel cared for, connected, and supported at school.

Please visit our website www.lephigh.org to learn more. Tours and family meetings are available by calling 503-254-2537.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I enjoy watching our students grow and thrive.  When a student becomes inspired by seeing the impact they have on their lives and community, there’s nothing in this world like it.  Most youth seem to feel unimportant, undervalued, and incapable, especially youth from more challenging backgrounds like poverty.  It is priceless to see the direction a student’s life was previously headed (jail, dropping out, homelessness, etc.) and watch them rise above these obstacles to receive college scholarships, start businesses, and use their voice as a respected leader in the community.I also love working with a such a dedicated group of educators and meeting the ‘mover and shaker’ entrepreneurs throughout Portland.

How did you get involved in Start-Up PDX?

Start-Up PDX formed from an initial conversation with several entrepreneurs in Portland, and it was modeled after a similar conference that occurred in the 1980s at Willamette University.  We felt that, while there are valuable organizations that serve small entrepreneurs, there weren’t enough strong networks and services for the very beginner entrepreneur to support them taking the initial leap (no pun intended) and creating their company.

Why is Start-Up PDX important to you? To the community?

Almost everyone knows how intimidating and challenging entrepreneurship can be.  Unlike most career paths, there’s no classroom learning or degree that points towards success.  There’s no authority to place tasks to complete for an income.  When you’re in the start-up phase, nearly everyone thinks your an unrealistic dreamer, and being reckless, stupid and avoiding a “real job”.  It’s a very intimidating career choice, with no clear path towards success.  It’s very lonely.  We need more services in front of beginning entrepreneurs, and beginning entrepreneurs need more people for support.  I’m excited to see this conference provide networking opportunities, potential friendships, and local resources for growing businesses.

What is the #1 thing a new business owner needs to know?

Find a network of people who have done what you’re trying to achieve and become their best friends.  Take them out to lunch, coffee, whatever you need to do to build a relationship.  Volunteer to help them in their business.  You will solidify the relationship and siphon valuable business experience from this environment.  When you are creating your business, their input and guidance will be priceless, because they have wisdom gained only through the raw trials and errors that you are encountering.

Are you a business owner and, if so, why did you choose to start your own business?

I’m currently a business owner and have been part of starting for-profit and non-profit companies in several fields like education, music, and food & beverage.  It took me a while to learn that I was an ‘entrepreneur’ because it didn’t exist as a career option in high school or college.  It wasn’t even on the list of choices from the aptitude and interest assessments the guidance counselors made us complete.

At first, I hated all traditional career paths because I didn’t fit into them (and lost many years painfully trying).  I became bored too easily and I didn’t like structure imposed on me from above.  I loved freedom, complex and creative problem solving, going against the status-quo, and creating something from nothing.  My first experience in entrepreneurship occurred because I wanted to do things on my own and I partnered to create several organizations with like minded people.  It was later that I learned this was called entrepreneurship and there was a life people could build doing it.  Since then, I have greatly enjoyed each day being different, constantly learning from other people around me, seeing new industries, and stretching my skills and abilities to their breaking point.  I’ve made (and continue to make) a ton of mistakes, some catastrophic, but I always enjoy the ride.

In the meantime, please join our communities on Facebook and LinkedIn to network with other local entrepreneurs, and be part of the Start-Up PDX conversation on Twitter!