Longtime journalist Rob Smith is back in the studio! He was the Executive Editor for Seattle Magazine/Seattle Business Magazine when we recorded our 3rd ever episode. And now he returns to talk about his career shift to Formidable, his take on billionaires owning media companies, and why Seattle has the most expensive Ubers. In honor of Bumbershoot happening, we also recap the business history of this iconic festival.

Top Stories:

1. Bro-PO: More IPOs, less women

2. King 5 and KONG owner Tegna to be acquired

3. New rewards program and facial recognition for Alaska Airlines

4. Uber Eats pays $15M to Seattle in settlement

5. Cannonball Arts opened downtown

About guest Rob Smith - Executive Editor, Formidable:

Rob has a long history of journalism. He was the Editor-in-Chief at the Portland Business Journal, moved into the Editor-in-Chief role at the Puget Sound Business Journal. Then he was the Executive Editor for Seattle Magazine and Seattle Business Magazine before his recent move to Executive Editor for Formidable – a media and membership company.

Rachel's event for queer women:

Lesbian Chronicles LIVE

Saturday, October 18th

Reverie Ballroom

7pm: Social Hour

8pm: Show

9:30pm: After Party

Buy Tickets

About host Rachel Horgan:

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @theweeklyseattle

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

The CEO of Whitepages enlightens us about the importance of sharing information in order to have a source of truth, the rise and fall of ReachNow, and we connect over our shared passion for a Ponzi scheme story.

Top Stories:

1. Allen Institute for AI lands $152M from Nvidia and NSF

2. More tech layoffs: Oracle, F5, T-Mobile

3. Everett man indicted for Ponzi scheme (and this article)

4 Washington grapes save BC wineries after freeze

About guest Leigh McMillan - CEO, Whitepages:

Leigh joined Whitepages in 2017 to lead its consumer division. Two years later, she became CEO, steering the company through a new phase of growth. Before Whitepages, Leigh led marketing and growth at fast-moving startups like Avvo, which she helped grew one of the internet’s largest legal marketplaces, and ReachNow, BMW’s U.S. mobility service. Earlier, she led communications for the Seattle Mariners during the high-stakes campaign for a new ballpark and served as National Finance Director for U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell.

Outside of the office, Leigh is an investor in Seattle-area funds, including the Allen Institute’s AI2 incubator, and serves on the board of the Transparency Coalition, a non-profit advocating for responsible development of AI technology. She is also co-owner and winemaker at her family’s winery, Welcome Road, and is an active supporter and former board member of Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo.

About host Rachel Horgan:

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @theweeklyseattle

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

The President & CEO shares with us how she chooses locations for new stores, why there's not a veggie burger on the menu, and if we will see seating back in the Queen Anne store. We also cover the unique challenges of leading a family business as a member of the third generation, how the minimum wage increase impacted the business, and how she feels it is not the right time for the proposed B&O tax change.

Top Stories:

1. New(ish) Dick's Drive-In location

2. Smartsheet and First Fed CEO step down

3. Changes in labor market for tech grads

4. Opinion: B&O Tax

Additional article referenced:

• PSBJ article about changes in labor market
• Op-ed by Rachel Smith

My friend's businesses:

Hairdresser: Charlie at Beehive Salon in Queen Anne

Massage Therapist: Kat Murray in Eastlake

About guest Jasmine Donovan - President & CEO, Dick's Drive-In

Jasmine is the granddaughter of founder Dick Spady. She grew up in the family business working on and off since 16, officially joining the executive team in 2013 and taking over as President from her father, in 2019. She is also a Navy veteran with degrees in math, chemistry, and business. Jasmine serves on the boards of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, the Rainier Club, and Evergreen Operating Companies.

About host Rachel Horgan:

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @theweeklyseattle

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

The General & Artistic Director of the Seattle Opera shares how the business model of the opera, and arts organizations as a whole, have changed over the years. We talk about why producing an opera is expensive, how leaders should approach funding as an investment rather than a charity gift, and lastly he dispels the myth that the opera is just for the elite.

All of this along with breaking down Starbucks moving away from pick-up only stores and Zillow being sued. Again.

Top Stories

1. The business of performance art

2. Starbucks to shut down pick-up only concept

3. CoStar sues Zillow over copyright infringement

About guest James Robinson - General & Artistic Director, Seattle Opera:

James took over as the General & Artistic Director in September 2024. Prior to this, James was the Artistic Director at the Opera Theater of Saint Louis where he commissioned 11 world premieres. As a stage director, he has also directed at least 75 new productions at the world’s top theaters. James is the 5th person to lead the Seattle Opera in the 61 year history.

About host Rachel Horgan:

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @theweeklyseattle

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

As the Principal of a construction company, Tess shares with us why construction projects can get behind schedule, how building in Seattle compares to other cities, and why she's diversified her company portfolio in recent years. All of this along with breaking down the lawsuit over the Microsoft project, opening of pier 58, and the second sale of Convoy.

Top Stories

1. Construction industry update

no article

2. Pier 58 opens

Seattle Magazine article

3. Contractors sue Skanska Balfour Beatty over Microsoft project

PSBJ article

4. Convoy sells again

GeekWire article

About guest Tess Wakasugi-Don - Principal, GLY Construction:

Tess started at GLY as an intern and worked her way up to a Principal and has been with the company for 20 years now. She is also the President Elect of NAIOP (a professional commercial real estate organization). She is on the board of Seattle Children’s Foundation as well as ACE (architecture, construction, engineering) Mentor Board. Tess was a Puget Sound Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree.

About host Rachel Horgan:

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @theweeklyseattle

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

It's Yonder's 5 year anniversary so we brought the Founder & CEO Caitlin back to the studio to share what's changed since we last talked, how the tariffs are affecting her business, the sometimes tricky relationship between small businesses and the city, and lastly, how we feel about virtual reality.

Top Stories

1. Trader Joe's coming to Northgate

Seattle Times article

2. Impact of tariffs

PSBJ articles

3. Bus only lanes in Fremont & Ballard

Seattle Times article

4. New mixed reality theme park

PSBJ article

About guest Caitlin Braam - Founder & CEO, Yonder Cider:

Caitlin founded Yonder Cider in 2020. Prior to this she worked at Angry Orchard as a Brand Strategist and before that she was the President of Seattle Cider Company & Two Beers Brewing. She has years long history of working in PR and broadcast journalism. www.yondercider.com

Yonder 5th Anniversary Party

Saturday, August 16th

12pm-10pm

About host Rachel Horgan:

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @theweeklyseattle

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com

As the CEO of the largest shelter in Washington state serving families experiencing homelessness, Dominique shares what Mary's Place is doing to serve our community and how things have dramatically changed since 2019. She talks about their strategic three pronged approach to help those in need, the impact of decreased federal funding, and why a housing first model has been successful. She also busts certain myths or assumptions many make about people experiencing homelessness. All this along with your roundup of top Seattle business news stories!

Top Stories:

1. Housing first program reveals positive data

Real Change article

2. Legislation proposed to protect the homeless

Seattle Times article

3. Youth shelter closes and CEO steps down

Seattle Times article (CEO)

Seattle Times article (closes shelter)

4. Starbucks announces new in office policy

PSBJ article or Seattle Times article

About guest Dominique Alex - CEO, Mary's Place:

Dominique Alex has been in the role of CEO at Mary’s Place for about two years. Before that, she was their Chief Program Officer. She’s also held leadership roles at Children’s Home Society of Washington (now known as AKIN), worked as a Head Start education specialist, an autism behavior based therapist, and was an adjunct faculty member at Goddard College.

About host Rachel Horgan:

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @theweeklyseattle

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com⁠⁠

The CEO of Fire & Vine Hospitality joins us to talk about the restaurant industry and especially the impact of the minimum wage change that took effect in January. Should all restaurants implement a mandatory service charge? Is there a place for dive bars in Seattle anymore? As the Founder of Brigado, a tech hospitality company, Chad also explains why he's declared war on credit card fees and where he thinks the solution is to avoid these ever increasing costs. Lastly, as the co-founder of Third Door Coalition, Chad shares his experience in trying to solve chronic homelessness and why he ultimately shut down that business.

Top Stories:

1. Whale Wins to close & Sea Creatures employees unionize

Eater article (Whale Wins)

Eater article (Union story)

2. Little Red Hen faces lease termination

Seattle Times article

3. Microsoft layoffs again

GeekWire article

4. Seattle being sued over mandatory affordable housing

Seattle Times article

About guest Chad Mackay - CEO, Fire & Vine Hospitality and Founder & CEO, Brigado:

Chad took over his father’s El Gaucho business as CEO in 2013 and has since turned it into Fire & Vine Hospitality which owns locations throughout Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Portland, Vancouver, Walla Walla soon to be Idaho. Chad co-founded Third Door Coalition which saught to solve homelessness in Seattle and he is also the founder & CEO of Brigado. He is currently on the board of Visit Seattle and previously the chair of the Washington Hospitality Association.

About host Rachel Horgan:

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @theweeklyseattle

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com⁠⁠

As the Founder & President of a tech consulting/data analytics company AND a former lawyer, Ryan has a lot of interesting perspectives on the news of this week. We debate the controversial B&O taxes and what it really means to pay your "fair share". Ryan shares why going public used to be his dream and why it no longer is. He also makes some bold predictions on the future of Salesforce. Lastly, we dive into intellectual property laws: Does duping a product makes a creator more innovative? What should the role of government be to protect entrepreneurs?

Top Stories

1. Blueprint & Sigma form partnership

Business Wire article

2. B&O taxes debate

GeekWire article

3. Seattle startup raises $15M to compete with Salesforce

GeekWire article

4. Lululemon sues Costco

Seattle Times article

About guest Ryan Neal - Founder & President, Blueprint Technologies:

Ryan has led this company for close to 13 years. He is also the Managing Partner at Pendulum Partners, a private equity company. Prior to these roles, he was a managing partner at a law firm, owner of an athletic club, and owner of a windows & doors company.

About host Rachel Horgan:

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @theweeklyseattle

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com⁠⁠

Rachel's older sister joins the NY hotel "studio" to break down the top news stories and share some of her own about what it was like growing up with Rachel and what it's like being a high school teacher.

Top Stories:

1. Leadership changes: USAFacts, Rover, Perkins Coie, Kaiser Permanente

USA Facts

Rover

Perkins Coie

Kaiser Permanente

2. Live Nation eyes new venue

PSBJ article

3. Compass sues Zillow

Seattle Times article

4. Grocery store updates: Bartell Drugs, QFC, PCC, Whole Foods

Bartell Drugs

QFC

PCC

Whole Foods

About guest co-host Lindsay Fletcher - Teacher:

Lindsay has been teaching for 17 years. She teaches English as a new language as well as Spanish to high schoolers. She is also a nationally board certified teacher. Lindsay lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two kids.

About host Rachel Horgan:

Rachel is an independent event producer, emcee and entrepreneur. She worked for the Business Journal for 5 years as their Director of Events interviewing business leaders on stage before launching the weekly podcast. She earned her communication degree from the University of San Diego.

Contact:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @theweeklyseattle

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.theweeklyseattle.com⁠⁠