Seattle Business Builders

Washington state recently became the first state in the nation to establish a state-run long-term care trust fund, which will help pay for long-term care and support services for eligible individuals over 18 years of age. What does this mean? Starting on January 1, 2022, employers must begin collecting a 0.58% payroll tax on W-2 employees' compensation, with a few exceptions. That means all wages, bonuses, paid time off, severance pay, and stock options are subject to the tax -- and there is no cap on the income level for the payroll tax. Do I have to participate? Well, for most part, yes. However, if you are a W-2 earner that is subject to this payroll tax there are a few possible ways to opt out, during a very narrow, one-time, opt-out window. You are a W-2 employee who already has a long-term care insurance policy in place through your employer, or You are a W-2 earner who currently has or will have an individual long-term care insurance policy (or a LT Care rider on your life insurance policy) approved and in place by November 1, 2021. In both scenarios: The policy will need to provide equal or better benefits than those available through the state program, and You will need to apply to the Employment Security Department between Oct. 1, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2022 for an exemption. It is important to note that exemptions are permanent – no changing your mind later. I spoke with Brent Anderson, a certified long term care insurance professional about this new law and some of the options available outside of the state-run long-term care insurance system. Listen in to learn a bit more. P.S. If you want more information, learn more at WA Cares Fund site

YOLOing with Jet the Gerbil and Business Leadership While the term YOLO -“you only live once” - has been around for years and has come back more recently (thank you, Drake).  The phrase means different things to different folks, but this past year YOLOing has taken on a new face, mirroring the self-reflection some of us have gone through in deciding how we want to live our lives, at least for now. However, for many it has also been accompanied by unexpected opportunities to do things a little bit differently than normal. It inspired many of us to rethink our priorities and allowed some of us to seize the moment and choose new types of adventures. Michael Keller, former Chief Marketing Officer at Dairy Queen and CEO of Pearson's Candies, interpreted YOLOing this way – by becoming a first-time children's book author. The Legend of Jet the Gerbil is the true story of an amazing pet gerbil, his human, Michael, and the fast-paced journey that unfolded years ago. So, how does one go from an accomplished senior executive to a published children's book author? Find out in this podcast and learn how Michael overcame his trepidations to pull together a children's book during a global pandemic. Listen in – this podcast has lessons for us all!

Jenefeness Tucker is a business advisor at the Washington Small Business Development Center. She has been coaching, educating, and training entrepreneurs for more than 18 years. She teaches Economics at Seattle Central College and is the author of several books, including “Finesse My Business: From Launching to Levitating,” “21 Day FI$CAL Bootcamp Workbook” and “Finesse My Time Management System.” She joined the Seattle Business Builders podcast to talk about how local business owners can access free (but high quality) business coaching and what Washington business owners should focus on as we move forward in the wake of a pandemic. You can learn more about Jenefeness at her website, and you can learn more about services offered by the Washington Small Business Development Center right here.

Dan Adams is the CEO of McMillen Jacobs Associates, a mid-sized heavy civil engineering firm specializing in tunnel and dam projects and featuring design-build capabilities. Dan sat down with Will to talk about his long history as a field and design engineer and, now, as a C-suite executive managing the challenges of leading 500+ employees at a global firm in the midst of a pandemic. He has a unique perspective that's been shaped through work on many notable projects – like the UW Link Extension, the SR 99 Tunnel, the West Seattle Bridge, and Boston’s “Big Dig” – and it results in valuable insight;  in the interview, he shares how Seattle is coping with its infrastructure needs in comparison to the methods of other cities around the nation and globe. The discussion included topics like: Crisis management, maintaining a dynamic corporate culture with a remote workforce, the challenges of managing a sales pipeline in the COVID-19 era, and employee communication. Listen in to find out Dan’s perspective on how things will likely change – both for the worse, and, potentially, for the better – in the wake of the pandemic. Learn more about Dan and McMillen Jacobs Associates at the company's website.

Ken Graff has a background working in the hospitality industry. He spent years working downtown coordinating operations for venues, and even had a 10-year stint at the Space Needle. Today, Ken is a REALTOR® specializing in the greater Seattle area, who offers offers his clients superior skills in negotiation, up to date market knowledge, excellent customer service, and a relentless work ethic. Will sat down with Ken to talk about how he got into real estate, how his business moved to adapt in the wake of COVID-19, and what Seattle's housing market looks like now. Learn more about Ken at his website.

In the wake of the worldwide coronavirus outbreak - and amidst a developing outbreak in the Seattle area - Will and Laura sat down to discuss how citizens and investors should approach the situation. From clinical data to market analysis and from China to the US, this conversation covers a breadth of information on what impacts to watch for. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only.  It should not interpreted as medical or financial advice.  Nothing in this podcast should be viewed as a substitute for talking to a qualified professional about any personal financial or healthcare issue. Here are some helpful links (referenced in the podcast). World Health Organization Advice: who.int/emergencies Center for Disease Control Information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Dr. Brant Carroll is the owner of Eye Associates Northwest PC, a healthcare practice with a team comprised of ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. Will sat down with Brant to talk about how technology and government regulation are impacting the practice, how Brant got started 25 years ago, and what's coming next in the world of specialized healthcare. Learn more about Eye Associates at their website.

Terri Morgan is owner of TCM Models, a modeling and talent agency that provides a boutique approach, a personalized atmosphere, and hands-on coaching. Will sat down with Terri to talk about how she came to own the business 40 years ago, how she scouts talent, and how TCM Models has adapted to the industries many changes over the years. Learn more about TCM Models at their website. Subscribe at:

Haley Keller is the cofounder of Peddler Brewing Company, a microbrewery with a tasting room and large beer garden located in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, WA. Will sat down with Haley to talk about how she and her husband Dave decided to make their brewing hobby a business, how they found their space, and what's coming next. Learn more about Peddler Brewing Company at their website. Subscribe at:

Janis, Krijn, and Judy are the three co-owners of Queen Anne Book Company. Will sat down with the trio to talk about how they stepped in after the previous owner of the business closed down, what it's like working together, and how the independent book seller market is growing and changing. Learn more about Queen Anne Book Company at their website. Subscribe at:

Diana and Steve are the founders of Sip and Ship, Seattle's trusted and reliable shipping center and community hub. Will sat down with the two of them to talk about how the business got its start, how they've persevered through a recession, and what the future looks like for woman-owned businesses in Seattle. Learn more about Sip and Ship at their website. Subscribe at:

Scott Cooper is the founder of Blue Highway Games, a Seattle board game store that offers an alternative to electronic media with a carefully curated game selection and a community of like-minded customers. Will sat down with Scott and Amanda Erven, the store manager, to discuss how the business was born out of a job at Microsoft, how it’s grown, and what the future holds. Learn more about Blue Highway games by visiting their website. Subscribe at:

Ben Mawhinney is a co-founder at Wonderland Gear Exchange, which is an outdoor gear consignment shop that is positioned to take advantage of a major national trend - recreational equipment re-use. Will sat down with Ben to learn how the business got its start, how it overcame some challenges (including a burglary!) along the way, and what the future looks like. Learn more about Wonderland Gear Exchange at their website. Subscribe at:

Bryce Bircher is a senior accountant at Martin, Bircher, Thompson, a firm that differentiates itself by its focus on a specific industry niche – medical and dental professionals.  Will sat down with Bryce to discuss how the business started, how strategy has driven the firm’s growth, and what it’s like to work in a family business. Learn more about Martin, Bircher, Thompson at their website. Subscribe at:

Harvey and Linda Foster are the owners of Red Head Steering, where they offer rebuilding and remanufacturing of truck steering columns. Will sat down with them to discuss how the business started, how the business has been changed by the internet, and what they’ve learned throughout the process. Learn more about Red Head Steering at their website. Subscribe at: