Tillamook Chamber Chatter Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Nonda Zwald to chat about her deep community roots and her and her husbands newest business, Pyrat's Perk. Nonda shares her journey through various roles in Tillamook County - from working in real estate and managing local water systems to co-founding the "Mutt Strut" and helping establish local animal rescue efforts.

She shares the story behind starting Pyrat's Perk alongside her husband Ken, the heartfelt meaning behind the cart's name and logo, and how they built a thriving local coffee stand serving up signature drinks, milkshakes, and hearty menu items. Tune in for a heartwarming conversation about family, resilience, and giving back to the community.

To learn more about Pyrat's Perk, visit: https://pyratsperk.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pyratsperk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pyrats_perk/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pyratsbrewsandbit

To connect with us here at the Chamber:

• Website: TillamookChamber.org
• Facebook & Instagram: Tillamook Chamber
• Email: [email protected]

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In this episode of Chamber Chatter, Sara Gurath, Head of School at Neskowin Valley School, shares how outdoor exploration and experiential education empower students from ages three and a half through fifth grade. Tune in to discover their unique outdoor curriculum, homeschool enrichment programs, and an exclusive first announcement about new adult and family community education classes launching this fall!

To learn more about Neskowin Valley School visit: https://www.neskowinvalleyschool.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neskowinvalleyschool

To connect with us here at the Chamber:

• Website: TillamookChamber.org
• Facebook & Instagram: Tillamook Chamber
• Email: [email protected]

Don't miss out on what's next. Subscribe to the podcast, and be sure to share it with your friends and family!

In this episode of Chamber Chatter, we sit down with Ken Henson, founder of Refettorio Consulting, to explore what it takes to build a thriving, sustainably profitable hospitality business. Bringing over 30 years of business experience across kitchens, restaurants, and tourism leadership—ranging from local bars and counter service to white-tablecloth fine dining—Ken offers a unique, holistic perspective on hospitality, tourism, and food systems.

Ken breaks down why so many independent operators struggle with razor-thin margins and demonstrates how executing on core operational levers—like routine inventory tracking and smart labor management—can immediately protect your bottom line. Beyond the data, he emphasizes how operational excellence creates genuine engagement with guests and staff, proving that a strong workplace culture is the real driver of long-term success.

To learn more about Refettorio Consulting visit: https://www.refettorioconsulting.com/

Be sure to give him a thumbs up on Facebook as well: https://www.facebook.com/RefettorioConsulting

To connect with us here at the Chamber:

• Website: TillamookChamber.org
• Facebook & Instagram: Tillamook Chamber
• Email: [email protected]

Don't miss out on what's next. Subscribe to the podcast, and be sure to share it with your friends and family!

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Chrissy Smith (Executive Director) and Carol Parks (Programs and Communications Coordinator) from Friends of Netarts Bay WEBS. In this episode, they reflect on the organization's 20-year evolution—from a dream envisioned by founder Jim Mundell to a full-fledged non-profit delivering hands-on STEAM education, tide pool explorations, and community stewardship programs.

Discover how WEBS works to break down barriers to outdoor learning, partner with regional school districts and tribal partners, and host unique community initiatives like their upcoming 20th-anniversary event. Tune in to learn how to participate in free local events, become a STEAM coach, or support their mission to conserve Netarts Bay.

Website: https://www.netartsbaywebs.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NetartsBayWEBS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/netartsbaywebs/

To connect with us here at the Chamber:

• Website: TillamookChamber.org
• Facebook & Instagram: Tillamook Chamber
• Email: [email protected]

Don't miss out on what's next. Subscribe to the podcast, and be sure to share it with your friends and family!

On this episode of Chamber Chatter, we sit down with Dr. Robert Bare and Dr. Taylor Krueger, the dynamic co-founders behind NW Coastal Tradewinds. Bringing a powerful blend of high-level expertise, spanning Robert’s 23 years in law enforcement, city management, and international business consulting alongside Taylor’s deep background in business strategy and digital innovation, they offer hands-on, practical consulting tailored specifically for Oregon Coast entrepreneurs. From navigating local seasonal swings to grant writing and structured operational resets, they share how proactive planning and strategic networking help local small businesses and nonprofits thrive.

To learn more about NW Coastal Tradewinds visit their website: https://www.nwcoastaltradewinds.com/

To connect with us here at the Chamber:

• Website: TillamookChamber.org
• Facebook & Instagram: Tillamook Chamber
• Email: [email protected]

Don't miss out on what's next. Subscribe to the podcast, and be sure to share it with your friends and family!

Bobby Poppe joins us on the Chamber Chatter and shares the Walker family’s long history in the industry, which spans five generations from 1917 motorized trucks in Portland to celebrating the company's upcoming 70th anniversary in Tillamook. The conversation covers the realities of working in waste collection, highlighting how the job provides dependable pay and job security and why Bobby chose working outdoors over a windowless engineering lab.

The episode also dives into local operations, detailing how garbage moves from curbside pickup to how the system prevents environmental harm, and what items residents can drop off for free at the 12th Street recycling lot. Listen in to hear what happens to Tillamook's trash after it leaves the curb.

To learn more about City Sanitary Service visit their website: https://citysanitaryservice.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citysanitaryservice

To connect with us here at the Chamber:

• Website: TillamookChamber.org
• Facebook & Instagram: Tillamook Chamber
• Email: [email protected]

Don't miss out on what's next. Subscribe to the podcast, and be sure to share it with your friends and family!

Welcome back to Chamber Chatter, your local connection to Tillamook County businesses! In this episode, hosts Renee and Meg sit down with Patrick and Amanda King, the passionate couple behind Country Squire Kitchen.

Discover how a shared love for the outdoors—from fishing and foraging to gardening and canning—fueled Patrick and Amanda’s dream to swap city life for the Oregon coast. They open up about moving to Tillamook, launching their business, and the local roots that inspire their menu. Plus, get an exclusive sneak peek at what they’re building behind the scenes for the future!

To learn more about Country Squire Kitchen visit their website: https://www.countrysquirekitchen.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/countrysquirekitchen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/countrysquirekitchen/

To connect with us here at the Chamber:

• Website: TillamookChamber.org
• Facebook & Instagram: Tillamook Chamber
• Email: [email protected]

Don't miss out on what's next. Subscribe to the podcast, and be sure to share it with your friends and family!

Welcome back to Chamber Chatter, everyone! Today, we’re sitting down with Kevin Hancock of Hancock Photography, a local business owner who transformed a passion for photography into a small local business.

In this episode, Kevin shares what brought him to the Pacific Northwest and how he fell in love with the stunning landscapes right here in Tillamook. From capturing breathtaking coastal scenes to opening the doors of his very own brick-and-mortar storefront in downtown Tillamook, he breaks down what it really takes to turn a lens on life, step out on faith, and build a business.

Be sure to stop by his gallery space in downtown Tillamook to see those incredible landscape prints up close and say hello.

To learn more about Hancock Photography visit: https://hancockphotographystudio.com/

To connect with us here at the Chamber:

• Website: TillamookChamber.org
• Facebook & Instagram: Tillamook Chamber
• Email: [email protected]

Don't miss out on what's next. Subscribe to the podcast, and be sure to share it with your friends and family!

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Marletto, the owner of West Coast Spas, to discuss the journey of building a local Oregon business from a single manufacturing facility in Woodburn to six retail locations. Scott shares how West Coast Spas elevates the entire customer experience by building, selling, delivering, and servicing their own custom hot tubs. We also dive into their exciting expansion to the coast with their brand-new showroom at 114 Main Avenue in Tillamook, the customization and delivery process for homeowners and vacation rentals, and what it takes to run a seamless, factory-direct operation.

To learn more about West Coast Spas visit their website here: https://westcoastspas.com/

To connect with us here at the Chamber:

• Website: TillamookChamber.org
• Facebook & Instagram: Tillamook Chamber
• Email: [email protected]

Don't miss out on what's next. Subscribe to the podcast, and be sure to share it with your friends and family!

What does community banking look like? In this episode of Chamber Chatter, we sit down with Shelley and Oliver from the Tillamook branch of Oregon Coast Bank to discuss how they are redefining local financial service—without a single sales quota in sight.

Oregon Coast Bank has built its entire mission around supporting the neighbors, loggers, fishermen, and local business owners who make the Pacific Northwest thrive. Shelley Crisp and Oliver Whiting share the inspiring origin story of the bank's founder and how his vision of keeping banking deeply personal and entrepreneurial continues to drive their recent expansions into Washington and beyond.

To learn more about Oregon Coast Bank visit - https://oregoncoast.bank/

To connect with us here at the Chamber:

• Website: TillamookChamber.org
• Facebook & Instagram: Tillamook Chamber
• Email: [email protected]

Don't miss out on what's next. Subscribe to the podcast, and be sure to share it with your friends and family!