Connections in Cowlitz

Sadly, businesses aren't quite as simple as "the Field of Dreams."

After building it, people don't just come, you have to TELL them about it- and that's where your marketing comes in.

In our episode with Sparks Marketing Collective we talked, we fan-girled, and we go lots of free advice (like to stop using AI Images, and make sure to cross-post!)

Sparks Marketing collective can help you figure out your goals, track your analytics, and pivot your strategy to build your brand.

Social Media, Website Design, Google Advertising, Professional Photography, Community Engagement- They can do it all!

Thank you to Chelsea Sparks and Rebekah Knoble for visiting us in studio.

And as always, thank you to our sponsors-

JoJo + CoCo Boutique

Woodford Commercial Real Estate

The Cowlitz PUD

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Katie Keaton, your SW Washington Realtor

Gabbi Graves, your Hometown Lender

0:00- Intro

2:19- Social Media Switch Ups

4:55- Chelsea’s Background

7:30- Professional Photography and Videography

7:53- Becca’s Intro to the business

11:35- Idea Generation for Clients

16:07- Triage new Clients

18:50- Becca’s Favorite Clients

20:59- Filming Day

24:58- Free Advice

Our first repeat guest- and for good reason!

Stash Records is a gem in our community- but if you’ve driven down Commerce Ave on Record Store Day at 5:00 AM, you’ll know they aren’t so hidden!

(Record Store Day is April 18th BTW!).

They are a player in the Record Store scene and bring newcomers to Downtown Longview who are looking to browse their carefully categorized collection of physical media.

With a mix of new and nostalgia, you can’t help but feel excited when you walk into Stash Records on Commerce in Longview.

Their collection consists of new releases, and old favorites- so don’t forget that you can ask them for special orders AND sell or trade in items in your collection that you no longer need.

If you want to dive deeper into Tyler’s background, how the store got started or hear Tyler education us on vinyl etiquette, go back and watch our first episode with Stash Records- it’s one of our best yet!

And as always, thank you to our Sponsors- JoJo + CoCo Boutique, Woodford Commercial Real Estate and The Cowlitz PUD

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Katie Keaton, your SW Washington Realtor

Gabbi Graves, your Hometown Lender

0:00- Intro

1:42- Shop Organization

5:08- Shop Décor

9:27- CD Resurgence

13:42- Why Old TVs are becoming All the Rage

16:31- Frustration w/ Streaming

21:26- What is Tyler Watching Right Now

26:46- The VHS Copy of Cars is worth HOW Much?

27:44- Stash will Buy your Collection

30:57- Who are the Kids Listening to??

33:07- Record Store Day

40:22- Record Store Day Releases

"Introducing YOU to the LOCAL FACES, behind LOCAL PLACES!" Get connected with all things Cowlitz County, WA. Our community is full of things to do, places to eat, people to meet - we’ve got your connections! Each episode features a local business owners and/or change-makers in our community.

We sat down with Erik and Teresa Lassen, owners of Cowlitz County's Premier Virtual Sports Studio in the Three Rivers Crossing.

What started as one man's mission to be nerdy about his golf game morphed into so much more.

YES you can get lock-in your golf game, "map your bag," or test your "smash factor," but you can also explore the other 14 sports games, plan your next party or even play some zombie dodgeball!

Almost Outdoors allows you to *virtually* play on REAL Courses. Whether you want to practice at Mint Valley for the next sunny day, or you want to try a course in Florida to decide if its worth visiting on your next vacation.

Sound like something you want to try? Go to almostoutdoors.com

Walk-ins also welcome!

Thank you to our sponsors-

Jojo + Coco Boutique

Woodford Commercial Real Estate

The Cowlitz PUD

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Katie Keaton, your SW Washington Realtor

Gabbi Graves, your Hometown Lender

0:00- Intro

2:21- Golf

3:05- Available Games

5:57- Parties

7:50- Golf Nerds

9:34- Play Real Golf Courses

12:13- Business Ownership

22:44- How to Book Time

27:26- Hidden Gem- Junior League

A place for all kinds of creativity in Cowlitz County!

The “Stitch” includes-

-Wedding Dress and Formal Gown Alterations

-Custom Tailoring

-Screen Printing and Embroidery

-Handmade Items

-Workshops and Classes

Over on the “Sound” side you’ll find-

-Live Shows

-Open Mic Nights

-Music Lessons

-Songwriting Workshops

-Private Events

And that doesn’t even cover EVERYTHING you’ll find at Stitch and Sound.

Are you surprised this is in Longview? We were! But now you know, and now you can find your creative spark… (or get your pants hemmed) at this awesome local business!

A huge Thank You to owner of Stitch and Sound, Chrissy Hadaller, for coming on the podcast to talk about her business, and to spread her passion for what she does.

And as always, thank you to our Sponsors- JoJo + CoCo Boutique, Woodford Commercial Real Estate and The Cowlitz PUD

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Katie Keaton, your SW Washington Realtor

Gabbi Graves, your Hometown Lender

0:00- Intro

3:14- The Elevator Pitch

4:49- The Beginning

14:41- Build your Custom Bag

17:41- Merch for Businesses

22:54- Quilting Space

26:48- Water Color Classes

30:02- Songwriting Collective

34:34- Open Mic Nights

41:47- Worship Experiences

43:20- Chrissy's Hidden Gem

46:51- Where to Find Stitch and Sound's Schedule and Offerings

47:50- Chrissy Sings us Out w/ Original Song

We are OBSESSED with the Longview Grocery Outlet, AND it's owners- Mike and Michelle Casanover.

This episode we discuss the history of Grocery Outlet... the many iterations of the back room (who else remembers being dropped off in there to watch a movie while your mom shopped??), AND how the store went from being just "Canned Foods" to a place were you can get great deals on all of your groceries.

The business model make sense, the savings are real, and the family atmosphere that Mike and Michelle bring to the store is something to be celebrated.

Who knew talking about affordable groceries would be so fun?

Thank you to our sponsors, Jo Jo + Co Co Boutique, Woodford Commercial Real Estate, and the Cowlitz PUD

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Katie Keaton, your SW Washington Realtor

Gabbie Graves, your Hometown Lender

Sometimes, when you love craft beer enough... you get approached to start a Beer Fest!

At least that's the story behind Marc Silva and Longview's Crafted Beer Fest. And Marc got even luckier when his fellow Rotarian, and member of the Longivew Rotarty (Noon Edition), Rondell Simon-Felix agreed to do the Crafted Podcast with him.

This year's Crafted Beer Fest is on August 16th, with options from FORTY breweries and while you're there, you can enjoy another of our Local Rotary's events- SQUIRRELFEST 2025, all at the Longview Civic Circle.

Listen to our full episode to hear about the birth of the beer fest, the inception of the Crafted Podcast, and how you can listen to their episode online OR in person at J Squared Barrel House.

Make sure you follow along on their socials to get updates on this year's festival and upcoming podcast episodes.

Thank you to our sponsors, Servpro of Longview/Kelso and JoJo + CoCo Boutique

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Katie Keaton, your SW Washington Realtor

Gabbi Graves, your Hometown Lender

0:00- Intro

1:30- I’ve Got a Guy

2:20- Podcasting

7:47- Crafted Beginnings

11:09- Rotary

16:50- Crafted + Squirrel Fest

25:57- Be in the Live Studio Audience

28:50- Exciting Things in this Year’s Crafted

32:31- Marc and Rondell's Hidden Gems

Introducing you to the "Men behind the Mall!"

Bob Davis and Eric Pucci are the new owners of the Three Rivers Crossing in Kelso.

They've introduced a new name, are bringing in a new look and have infused a new energy in the hopes of creating a Lifestyle Center that members of our community can use and enjoy.

In the episode we talk about their passion for the project, community excitement and their plans to highlight local businesses while also brining in the National Brands you want.

And of course, we couldn't let these two proven entrepreneurs come on the podcast without asking for some business advice!

Curious about what is happening at The Crossing? This is the episode to watch.

Thank you to our sponsors, Servpro of Longview/Kelso and JoJo + CoCo Boutique

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Katie Keaton, you SW Washington Realtor

Gabbi Graves, your Hometown Lender

00:00 - Intro

04:00 - The Nostalgia!

07:50 - Rumor Has It...

13:07 - Precisely 168 Days

16:00 - Sometimes, it's the little things

23:00 - Calling Local Entrepreneurs

28:50 - The Climb

35:00 - Why buy a WHOLE mall?!

38:18 - Be Tenacious

40:45 - Ringing Mr. Mackler

45:05 - We are Listening & Taking Notes

Good News! You no longer need to drive your kids to Vancouver for private basketball training or fast pitch lessons because Kyle and Rae Randall have opened Longview's very own Athletic Facility and have big plans for increased offerings as they grow.

Kyle and Rae both played sports at the College Level and have the passion and know-how to put it all together for your kids, while also keeping what matters most in mind- developing on and off the court.

We talked about their process of deciding to open the facility, how they came to find their location, and their offerings, like their STARS (Striving Together to Achieve Results and Success) Basketball Program.

Do you want to see what GAME Winner's is up to? Download their app- GAME Winner Athletic Facility on the app store, and make sure you follow along with them on their socials.

Thank you to our Sponsors, Servpro of Longview/Kelso and JoJo + CoCo Boutique

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Katie Keaton, your SW Washington Realtor

Gabbi Graves, your Hometown Lender

0:00- Hello!

:53- "I've got a guy" Segment

1:42- Game Winner Intro

3:55- Facility Talk

10:53- Potential Mascots?

11:40- GAME Winner Training Opportunities

15:05 - Current Teams

17:48- Developmental Philosophy

19:41- A Local Option for Training and AAU Game Play

23:45- Plans for the Future

26:13- How to Follow Along

The Cowlitz Community Farmers Market is a CONSUMABLE market, with 80% of their 40-45 weekly vendors selling consumable products... produce, baked goods, garden starts, home-made soaps and hot foods..... hot sauces..and more!

Food tastes better when you know where it came from, so after listening to our episode with Laurie Kochis, Market Manager (and vendor of the ever-popular Homer Bread), you may find yourself subbing out the store for the market for your pantry staples.

We touched on the history of the market, what it takes to become a vendor, how the market has formed a community and why it's important to be in-touch with where your food comes from.

The Cowlitz Community Farmers Market has been serving our area since the 70s, its time you check them out!

Market Hours-

Saturdays 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Cowlitz County Fairgrounds

Tuesdays 12 PM - 6:00 PM at 15th & Broadway in Longview

https://www.cowlitzfarmersmarket.com/

0:00- Intro

2:42- Consumable Market

5:04- Produce Seasonality

12:11- Non-Profit Community Booth

14:53- How to Get a Booth

16:25- The Farmers

17:47- Unique Finds

18:43- Incubation Tank

20:11- Lori’s Homer Bread

22:25- Sourdough? Yes or no??

25:08- The Farmers Market being a place for Parent’s of Special Needs Children

As always, thank you to our Sponsors-

Servpro of Longview/Kelso and Jojo + Coco Boutique

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Katie Keaton, your SW Washington Realtor

Gabbi Graves, your Hometown Lender

We've all got 'Junk.' And if you're asking what to do with yours, we've got the answer!

Cameron and Madisen Parsons aren't afraid to get their hands dirty as the owners of Cowlitz Junk Removal, and they'll take you along for the ride if you follow them on social media.

(why are junk removals so satisfying to watch??)

We talk about the gory details, and the surprising finds, plus how they got into the business and what advice they'd give to aspiring business owners.

Watch along for an entertaining and informative episode with one of Cowlitz County's up-and-coming family businesses.

As Always, thank you to our sponsors- Servpro of Longview/Kelso and Jojo + Coco Boutique

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Katie Keaton, Your SW Washington Realtor

Gabbie Graves, Your Hometown Lender

#junkremoval #satisfying #cowlitzcounty #pnw