Idaho Speakeasy | Stories and advice from Idaho business owners, entrepreneurs, creators, local icons, and community leaders

Preston Lewis is the cofounder and Chief Creative Officer of Black Box VR—a virtual reality fitness experience. Black Box VR’s innovative technology represents the world’s first fitness virtual reality space that uses real weight. They have invented a dynamic resistance machine that pairs with virtual reality game experiences. When the player is in the virtual... The post IDS:101 Preston Lewis – Black Box VR appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Boise Angels is a Treasure Valley non-profit focusing on supporting foster families in skill and relationship building. In Idaho, numbers vary, but there are currently over 1,700 children in foster care. The need for foster homes remains high and they continue to turn over quickly, with over 60% of first time families calling it quits... The post IDS:100 Emilee Fortin – Boise Angels appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Nicole Foy is a reporter with the Idaho Press Tribune who focuses on Canyon County and Hispanic affairs. She has spent the last few years ‘building a beat’ in the Hispanic community and does her best to report on stories that are representative of a range of experiences. Part of Nicole’s work has been focused... The post IDS:099 Nicole Foy – Idaho Press Tribune appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Conservation Voters for Idaho is a statewide nonprofit that safeguards what makes Idaho special through voter representation and mobilization. From hot springs to clean water, Conservation Voters for Idaho protects the natural resources that Idahoans take for granted. Antonio Hernandez is a voter’s right associate working specifically with the Hispanic community in Idaho. His goal... The post IDS:098 Antonio Hernandez – Conservation Voters for Idaho appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Jessi Roberts is founder and CEO of Cheekys Brand as well as author of the new book, “Backroads Boss Lady” which will be available in stores and online March 5th. While there is no doubt that Jessi Roberts is a force, her personal brand of success is anything but aggressive. The author and main Boss... The post IDS:097 Jessi Roberts – Cheekys Brand/ Backroads Boss Lady appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

In 2018, the Boise Rescue Mission celebrated 60 years of service to the Valley’s homeless, hungry, and needy community. Founded in 1958 at the Mission’s downtown location at Front Street and Capital, the Boise Rescue Mission has been one of the city’s most beloved and trusted organizations. Reverend Bill Roscoe is the current President and... The post IDS: 096 Reverend Bill Roscoe – Boise Rescue Mission appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Sean Evans is the current President of Junior Achievement of Idaho, an organization committed to preparing and inspiring young people to compete in the global economy. The organization provides program based education starting in kindergarten and running all the way through high school. The program is run by volunteers who use JA kits to deploy... The post IDS: 095 Sean Evans – Junior Achievement of Idaho appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Shannon Decker is the Executive Director of the Speedy Foundation and the Idaho Suicide Prevention Coalition. The Speedy Foundation was started in 2011 in memory of Shannon’s cousin, Olympic Freestyle skier and three time Olympian, Jeret Peterson. His death compelled Shannon and her family to help others affected by suicide.The family felt that the Speedy... The post IDS: 094 Shannon Decker – The Speedy Foundation/Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Advocacy appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Launched in 2015, Trailhead is a non-profit committed to fostering innovation and providing mentorship to local entrepreneurs. It has become a focal point for small businesses and startup events in Boise. In the future, Tiam and his team at Trailhead will be actively exploring ways to invest some of their own money into individual member... The post IDS: 093 Tiam Rastegar – Executive Director of Trailhead appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Jim Thomas is the head coach of the women’s soccer team at Boise State University. Over the past 5 years, he has transformed the soccer program at Boise State into a whole person experience, strategically bringing in new recruits to build a better Boise State community. The journey of the team has been marked by... The post IDS: 092 Jim Thomas – Head Coach at Boise State University for Women’s Soccer appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Founded by Marcu Alexander and her family as a way to help fund the research efforts for Heart Cystinosis, Hearts for Hadley has hosted several fundraising efforts and broke the $100,000 mark at their most recent event. Due to limited government funding because of the rarity of Heart Cystinosis, Hearts for Hadley and other organizations... The post IDS: 091 Marcu Alexander – Hearts for Hadley appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Our Planet Soap is a Boise based company offering natural, cold processed soap, handmade in small batches. All the products are palm free and named after an endangered animal with 10% of profits donated to conservation efforts. Chris Rudd, the founder and maker behind the company is a self-proclaimed soap nerd who has done extensive... The post IDS: 090 Christiane Rudd – Our Planet Soap appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

The Idaho Botanical Gardens, located off Warm Springs Avenue in Boise’s East End, is one of the Treasure Valley’s most beloved institutions. The garden was founded in 1984 by a small group of individuals who wanted to be able to share regionally specific grown plants with the community and expand the horticulture environment in the... The post IDS: 089 Erin Anderson – Idaho Botanical Garden appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Jay Saenz holds two titles at Oliver Russell in Boise—Digital Marketing Manager and Helmsman for Good. His latest project is taking plastic that would typically end up in the waste stream and making it into durable, usable products at the new company PlasticWorks. Since its inception just seven short weeks ago, the company has built... The post IDS: 088 Jay Saenz – Oliver Russell (PlasticWorks) appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Mark and Jeanette Priddy are the founders and owners of Happy Day Brands, a food product company built on the tenets of social entrepreneurship and change. For every product purchased across their brand, Happy Day donates one meal to a family in need. The couple relocated to Eagle, Idaho 25 years ago after deciding they... The post IDS: 087 Mark & Jeanette Priddy – Happy Day Brands appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Nine years ago this December in Ketchum, Idaho, Karen Morrison was working as an assistant to a physical therapist. It was there that she met a young woman named Amanda, a talented athlete who had been a four-sport rookie of the year at Yale when she was in a terrible car accident that left her... The post IDS:086 Karen Morrison & Katie Martin-Stutzman – AquAbility appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Nick Crabbs is the super talented and very busy Boise tech leader who is a founding member of the software development company, VYNYL, and is the current Co-chair for Boise Startup Week. The popular event lasts for three days and packs in more than 120 talks, competitions and shows. With serious money and prizes on the... The post IDS: 085 Nick Crabbs – Boise Startup Week appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Some topics are more difficult to talk about than others, but that shouldn’t excuse us from having those conversations. One of the most heart wrenching and disdainful practices is that of human trafficking, and Idaho certainly isn’t exempt from that activity. Whatever form human trafficking comes in, the consequences are years of trauma and recovery... The post IDS: 084 Jennifer Zielinski- Idaho Anti Trafficking Coalition appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Driven by her desire to live intentionally and adventurously, business owner Stacy Ennis works freelance as a writer, public speaker, and creative consultant while living abroad with her husband and two young children. Having returned to Boise for the launch of Growing Influence, a business fable which she co-wrote with business advisor Ron Price, Ennis... The post IDS: 083 Stacy Ennis – Co-Author of Growing Influence appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Karen Bubb is an exceptionally active and engaged artist and Cultural Planner who has been pioneering the fine arts and culture scene in Boise, Idaho for more than twenty years. Her influence has helped shape not only the physical landscape of Boise, but the supportive art community that the city is known for. Bubb’s work... The post IDS-082 Karen Bubb – City of Boise appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

The Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs is a non-partisan state agency serving the Hispanic Community. The Commission serves as a liaison between the Hispanic Community and State Government. Affectionately referred to as the “Little Agency that Can,” the ICHA strives to identify, monitor and resolve difficulties facing Idaho’s Hispanic Community. JJ Saldana has been with... The post IDS-081 JJ Saldana – Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Karalie DeLuca is the founder of the Jayden DeLuca Foundation, a non-profit organization which raises awareness for pediatric heart conditions –the #1 birth defect in America– and supports advancements in disease prevention and patient-care. After Karalie and Jeremy DeLuca lost their daughter to complications from a heart defect, they chose to honor Jayden’s life by... The post IDS-080 Karalie DeLuca – Jayden DeLuca Foundation appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Chip Cookies is a late night bakery that delivers boxes of cookies all around the Boise and Provo areas from 8pm-2am. They sell large, warm, and fresh cookies that are perfect for a late night snack. Mason Snow, the General Manager in Boise, discusses how he and his wife got started with Chip Cookies, how... The post IDS-079 Mason Snow – Chip Cookies appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Wyatt Schroeder is the Executive Director of CATCH, or Charitable Assistance to Community’s Homeless. CATCH is a charitable program funded by the generosity of local organizations, which assists homeless families with housing and case management, allowing them to focus on a pursuit of self sufficiency. To learn more about CATCH and various opportunities to get... The post IDS-078 Wyatt Schroeder – Catch Inc. appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Sarah Shinn, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Idaho, spends her days figuring out how to make dreams come true. Since it’s founding in 1986, more than 1,500 wishes have been granted in the state of Idaho. Volunteers are key to their success. To learn more or to get involved, visit idaho.wish.org. Read the full Idaho Speakeasy story: idahospeakeasy.com/sarah-shinn-story The post IDS-077 Sarah Shinn – Make-A-Wish Idaho appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Lime and a Coconut offers traditional dishes from various regions in Thailand. They host monthly pop-up dinners in downtown Boise, cooking workshops, and catering. You can find them at the Capital City Public Market and festivals throughout Idaho. ​To find out about the next pop-up for Lime and a Coconut and s​tay tuned to all the culturally... The post IDS-076 Lime & a Coconut appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Nine years ago, Dan Balluff left his corporate career to open the City Peanut Shop in downtown Boise. He now collaborates with craft breweries and other local businesses to create new products and host events. Visit them online or get the full experience at 803 West Bannock Street in downtown Boise. Read the full Idaho... The post IDS-075 Dan Balluff – City Peanut Shop appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Karan Tucker is the Executive Director of Jannus, Inc, a nonprofit which provides human services to individuals who are making a variety of transitions in their life. By pooling business resources, the non-profits under their umbrella can be “entrepreneurial and adaptive based on what our state and communities need.” To learn more about the services... The post IDS-074 Karan Tucker – Jannus, Inc. appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Rebecca and Nick Drake are the owners of Drake Mechanical, a family-owned business which has been serving the Boise community since 1909. They recently started Drake Family Foundation for Veterans assists local veterans with HVAC, electrical, roofing, and plumbing needs. For more information on the foundation or to apply for assistance, visit the Drake Family... The post IDS-073 Drake Family Foundation for Veterans appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.

Kicked out of his grandparents’ home the day after his high school graduation, Dennis Conforto spent a year homeless, living under an evergreen tree in Seattle, Washington. With a greater appreciation for homes, Conforto went on to found HouseCheck with the mission of improving the quality of homes on the market. He founded HouseCheck, an... The post IDS-072 Dennis Conforto – HouseCheck Foundation appeared first on IDAHO SPEAKEASY.