Start small, dream big 💪

6 resources for small businesses in Portland

Two owners of Favela Brazilian Cafe pose behind the counter of a colorful shop with lots of products and a menu on the wall behind them

Favela Brazilian Cafe opened on Southeast Foster Road in 2019. | Photo via City of Portland

Setting out to start your own small business might be the biggest decision of your life — but you can be sure it won’t be the last. Whether you’re navigating the early stages of getting your idea off the ground or are years into the journey, there are plenty of resources in Portland that can steer you to success.

PCC Small Business Development Center
Register for a no-cost orientation to learn more about the community college’s educational programming, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date on classes, grants, and free networking opportunities. Advisers and local experts also curate a complimentary blog on topics ranging from marketing to client success stories.

Portland Small Business Hub
On this site, you’ll find a directory of culturally specific business advisers and guidance on how to access loans and other financial support.

Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
The membership group promotes startups and scalability by facilitating events and investment, with a special emphasis on the bioscience and food/beverage industries. It also partners with Portland-based agency Pregame to give high-level workshops and coaching.

An artsy store with various items displayed — Tender Loving Empire carries music and items from many local businesses.

Small Business Empowerment Program
From start to finish, this program provides guidance on signing lease agreements, permitting and building hurdles, and much more for BIPOC owners and people with disabilities.

Prosper Portland
The city’s economic and urban development agency focuses on job growth and retention. Its Inclusive Business Resource Network offers one-on-one advising and training, plus member services like accounting and bookkeeping.

Lewis & Clark Law School’s Small Business Legal Clinic
Low-income small and emerging business owners work with law students to receive transactional legal services (expedited trademark and patenting, for example) through this program, which focuses on lowering barriers for historically disenfranchised individuals.

To all of our readers who were not born in the Pacific Northwest, what Portland restaurant best reminds you of where you’re from?

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TASTES LIKE HOME

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Tuesday, Feb. 7

Solar Showcase: Wynne Watts Commons | Tuesday, Feb. 7 | 5-7 p.m. | Wynn Watts Commons, 928 NE 162nd Ave., Portland | Free | Don’t let the February weather fool you — the sun will come back, and when it does, it can be used for energy. Learn how at this panel discussion.
Chuck Klosterman | Tuesday, Feb. 7 | 7 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland | Free | The dream of “The Nineties” is alive in Portland, and this bestselling author is in town to talk about it.
Portland Winter Light Festival | Tuesday, Feb. 7-Saturday, Feb. 11 | 6-10 p.m. | Various locations | Free | “The Light of the Stars” will illuminate Rose City with pop-up installations sprinkled across neighborhoods while the downtown district hosts large, dynamic light-art sculptures and performances.
“Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” | Tuesday, Feb. 7-Sunday, Feb. 12 | Times vary | Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., Portland | $34.75-$139.75 | Give in to this breathtaking Broadway musical that takes the audience on the group’s riveting journey from Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Free Tax Preparation Services | Tuesday, Feb. 7 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Sellwood Community House, 1436 SE Spokane St, Portland | Free | Don’t leave it to the last minute, make an appointment with MFS CASH Oregon’s IRS-certified volunteers.

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Golden State Warriors | Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 7 p.m. | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $30+ | Game forecast: raining threes, even without Steph Curry.

Thursday, Feb. 9

Nature Educator Volunteers - Field Trip Training | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd., Portland | Free | Learn how to guide 90-minute tours for elementary school-age students by exploring nature through hands-on activities.

Friday, Feb. 10

Heartless Heathers vs. High Rollers | Friday, Feb. 10 | 8 p.m. | Rose City Rollers, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland | $20 | Bid on the “Best Seats in the House,” which includes a couch for two and Plow Stop drink tickets.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE FEBRUARY FUN

Weather

49º | Here comes the rain again | 98% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:24 a.m.
Set: 5:26 p.m.

Community

Work on Portland’s first outdoor shelter for people living in their RVs has been completed, although an official opening date is yet to be announced. The Salvation Army will manage the Safe Park site on Northeast Sunderland Avenue, providing case managers and mental and behavioral health services. 🚌 (KGW)

Coming Soon

“The Biggest Little Restaurant in Beaverton.” Old Asia Bistro & Tea House will become the fifth addition to the restaurant group behind Top Burmese this spring when it opens in the 800-sqft former Chamber of Commerce building. Expect 100 different varieties of loose leaf tea and Malaysian, Singaporean, and Burmese dishes. 🍛

Arts

“Flowers for Black Elders” is a multimedia art exhibit and celebration of Black musicians from Northeast Portland running at NATIONALE through Saturday, Feb. 25. The collection of portraits, audio storytelling, interviews, and music comes from singer/actor Onry and executive producer Joni Whitworth, plus photographer Brett Brown. 📷 (Portland Tribune)
Everything’s better on Broadway. Keller Auditorium has announced its lineup for the 2023/2024 season, which includes “Les Mis,” “Disney’s The Lion King,” and “Six,” the tale of Henry VIII’s wives infused with punchy pop music. Single show tickets are available now. 🎭 (Portland Monthly)

Biz

Entrepreneur Chaunci King is building a space for her distilling business, Royalty Spirits, at 4532 SE 63rd Ave. She spoke with Portland Inno about her plans there for 2023, including opening a tasting room, sharing knowledge with others in the beverage industry, and hosting mixology workshops and jazz and spoken word performances. 🍸 (Portland Inno)

Try This

Turn up the steam. Reporter Lizzy Acker has done the hard (and dare we say, sweaty) work of visiting Portland’s places to soak and sit in a sauna. From Löyly to Common Ground Wellness Cooperative, she documented a variety of available features like cold plunges, nudity, and COVID protocols. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Salt & Straw wants to stir some excitement into your romantic night in. Light “A Whiff of Waffle Cone” scented candle and settle onto the couch with the five ice cream flavors in its latest gift pack collection. Each highlights a renowned chocolatier — we’ll take the Cloudforest Chocolate Ishpingo & Mango, please.

Closing

We did not foresee this. North Mississippi Avenue’s Psychic Bar will be closing after Sunday, Feb. 19. An ownership group comprised of people from Hey Love, Victoria Bar, and Palm Springs-based boutique hotel Villa Royale will collaborate on a new “uncanny” project inside the Victorian house. 🔮

Cause

Did you know that Meals on Wheels People delivers more than nutritious meals to older adults in your community? Donations provide light home repairs, check-ins, emergency preparedness kits, and more. Interested in making a difference? Make a donation. 🤝 *

Shop

What’s getting us through February: our humidifiers. We love the Levoit Blue Cool Humidifier for its quiet design, multiple mist levels, and how easy it is to clean. Do your skin (not to mention, your houseplants) a favor and up your home hydration. *

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Food carts 🤝 room service

Order room service from food carts at The Hoxton, Portland

Expect mainstays like Yolko Ono and hash browns, plus this exclusive wrap.

Lovely Rita, keep us fed. 🎶

This month, The Hoxton, Portland will launch a new program where it invites beloved local food carts into its ground-level restaurant, Lovely Rita. These pop-ups will only last a few days at a time, but locals and hotel guests (via room service) will be able to savor the street fare from the comfort of indoors. Each event will feature one exclusive item too.

Fried Egg I’m In Love, known for slingin’ delicious breakfast sandwiches, will get the first crack at it, Wednesday, Feb. 22-Friday, Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Reserve your spot and check out the other upcoming residencies.

Kee’s #Loaded Kitchen | Thursday, March 9-Saturday, March 11| Set your sights on soul food favorites like smoked brisket, mac and cheese, and fried chicken.
Sorbu Paninoteca | Thursday, April 20-Saturday, April 22 | Italian cooking made with lots of amor.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ben.

Editor’s pick: My wife and I finally tried Eem last Saturday and it was well worth waiting in line.

Once we were able to put our name down, we went to Migration Brewing’s Williams pub and discovered Sofar Sounds, a startup that hosts “secret concerts in unique spaces.” Give it a try if you like good local music.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? The kids will go crazy for these family-friendly activities.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Cambrie Juarez, Ben McBee, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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