PDX Business Spotlight

In this episode, Keshav interviews Morgan, the inspiring owner and founder of Polk Apothecary. Morgan opens up about her personal journey, detailing the extensive research behind selecting each herbal ingredient, carefully chosen to target specific skin conditions. She also shares insights from her educational path and prior business ventures, illustrating how she transformed her passion into a thriving skincare brand and brought her vision to life.

and check out their website at

Know any BIPOC-owned businesses in the PDX area? Drop us a voice message at anchor.fm/youthventure-team/message and maybe we'll feature them on the podcast!

In this episode, Keshav sits down with Kal, the visionary owner and founder of S.M.O.C Skincare. Kal shares his personal journey of overcoming eczema through the creation of his products, his dedication to ensuring that every aspect of his business produces authentically organic skincare products, and offers inspiring advice for aspiring entrepreneurs eager to turn their passions into reality

and check out their website at

Know any BIPOC-owned businesses in the PDX area? Drop us a voice message at anchor.fm/youthventure-team/message and maybe we'll feature them on the podcast!

In this episode, Keshav chats with Sophia, the owner and founder of Salvie Donuts! Sophia discusses her Salvadorian heritage incorporated with the unique flavors in her donuts and her connection with the PDX community through her pop-ups. Make sure to follow Salvie Donuts at https://www.instagram.com/salviedonuts/

and check out their website at

Know any BIPOC-owned businesses in the PDX area? Drop us a voice message at anchor.fm/youthventure-team/message and maybe we'll feature them on the podcast!

In this episode, Gauri chats with Affouet, the owner and founder of Hibis Bloom. Affouet discusses the benefits and cultural significance of hibiscus, educating others about the beautiful food and drinks from Africa, connecting people through food, and much more! Make sure to follow Hibis Bloom on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/drinkhibisbloom/,  visit their website at https://www.hibisbloom.com/, and check out their catering services at https://www.hibisbloom.com/hibisbloomcatering!

In this episode, Gauri talks to Chishayla, the owner and founder of Fearfully & Wonderfully Made. Chishayla describes the intersection of being Christian and being a person of color, the most important ingredient in her products that big companies overlook, both the upsides and downsides of being a business owner of color in Portland, and much more! Make sure to follow FFAWM on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ffawm_/, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Fearfully-Wonderfully-Made-LLC-102667558241681, on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@ffawm_ and visit their website at https://ffawm.com/!

Welcome back to Season 5 of PDX Business Spotlight! In this first episode, Gauri chats with Wentemi, the owner and founder of Sumner Street Shea. Wentemi discusses the welcoming BIPOC business community in Portland, the benefits of following up with network contacts, the first Shea butter she formulated, and much more! Make sure to follow Sumner Street Shea on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sumnerstreetshea/?hl=en, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sumnerstreetsheallc and visit their website at https://sumnerstreetshea.com/! 

And don't forget you can visit Wentemi in person this Saturday and Sunday, September 17th and 18th at My People's Market at the OMSI Bridge Lot, from 11 AM to 5 PM! You can find more information on the My People's Market website here https://www.mypeoplesmarket.com/.

For our final episode of Season 4, we put together a highlight reel of all the businesses we interviewed! Don't worry, we'll be back with Season 5 soon! Check out the Season 1, 2, 3, and 4 full-length episodes, available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Anchor, YouTube, and more!

Businesses featured in Season 4:

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In this episode, Gauri chats with Kyikyi, the owner of Himalayan Dumplings. Kyikyi discusses introducing her daughters to her culture, managing starting her businesses, her day job, and her kids' online school, what she thought about before starting her business, and much more! Make sure to follow Himalayan Dumplings on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/himalayandumplings/, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/himalayandumplings and visit their website at https://www.himalayandumplings.com/! Visit Kyikyi in person at the Beaverton Farmer's Market. Find more information here: https://www.beavertonfarmersmarket.com/beavertonfarmersmarkert

In this episode, Gauri chats with YK and Anna, the owners and co-founders of Hanuk Design. YK and Anna talk about developing their products through motherhood and the pandemic, resources for young BIPOC entrepreneurs, developing sustainable products, and much more! Make sure to follow Hanuk Design on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hanukdesign/ and visit their website at https://hanukdesign.com/! And you can also visit them in person this Saturday, April 30th at the Crafty Wonderland Spring Art + Craft Market at the Oregon Convention Center, Exhibit Hall D (777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd in Portland, OR)! You can buy tickets at https://www.ticketswest.com/events/detail/crafty-wonderland-spring-art-craft-market-2022/ for only two dollars!

In this episode, Gauri talks to Molly, the owner and founder of Optimistic Soap. Molly discusses working a day job while also working on her passion and her hobbies, integrating her activist side with her soaps, supporting causes she believes in, even if she profits less, and much more! Make sure to follow Optimistic Soap on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/optimisticsoap/ and visit their website at https://www.optimisticsoap.com/! And you can also use Molly's website to find a retail store that stocks her soaps near you at https://www.optimisticsoap.com/find! Additionally, if you want to shop from her directly, you can meet her in-person at the My People's Market on June 4th!

Know any BIPOC-owned businesses in the PDX area? Drop us a voice message at anchor.fm/youthventure-team/message and maybe we'll feature them on the podcast!