Black Lives Matter

Black-Owned Businesses: Service Directory

Portland Monthly's guide to Black-owned companies to hire for just about any job you need done.

08/04/2020 By Eden Dawn, Lauren Carlos, and Jordyn Mayer

How We’re Coping

Masks. Distancing. How Does a Facepainter Meet a Pandemic?

With outdoor events canceled and birthday parties feeling too risky, Mystique’s Fancy Faces owner Celese Williams is sharing her craft online.

07/31/2020 By Margaret Seiler

Business

Doctors, Doughnuts, Sawmills, and New Car Dealers: Who Got Big PPP Loans in Oregon

More than 1,000 businesses in the state got $1 million or more.

07/07/2020 By Margaret Seiler

Unemployment

A Staffer Alleges Mismanagement in the Unemployment Office Affecting Thousands of Claims

"I sat at my desk, played with my phone, and got paid for it. Your tax dollars paid me to sit at my desk and play on Instagram.”

06/26/2020 By Eden Dawn

Coronavirus

Businesses in Portland Finally Open Back Up, But Who Knows for How Long?

A few days after Multnomah County entered phase one, it's not yet business as usual.

06/23/2020 By Julia Silverman

Business Talk

Are You a Portland Company Committing to Working for Racial Justice?

Lori Caldwell has some advice for you.

06/12/2020 By Eden Dawn

Shopping

Retail Is Open. Now What?

Portland is still under a stay at home order, but retail stores are ready for customers. How are boutique owners coping?

05/22/2020 By Eden Dawn

How We’re Coping

After a Health Scare, This Portland Tailor Is Sewing Again

‘When you sew, you can always find some work, even in the worst pandemics,’ says Earl Marson.

05/22/2020 By Margaret Seiler

Coronavirus

Hundreds of Local Stylists Say It's Too Dangerous for Salons to Reopen

“It’s dehumanizing to be told that our clients need to be six feet apart while we are right on top of them. Are we less human? Worth less?”

05/13/2020 By Eden Dawn

Community

The Fab Lab Puts Out 60 Free Hours of Digital Daycare for Your Kiddos

The Portland children's science show recently uploaded 60 hours of content for kids K–5 thanks to a little help from their friends.

05/08/2020 By Eden Dawn

Coronavirus

What Will Oregon Shops Need to Do When They Reopen?

A new draft from Gov. Kate Brown's office outlines what retail life might look in the first phase of reopening.

04/30/2020 By Eden Dawn

Coronavirus

Why Can't Self Employed and Freelance Oregonians Get Unemployment Benefits Yet?

Small business owners and freelancers are being rejected from unemployment claims even though they are supposed to qualify under the CARES act. But that is about to change.

04/25/2020 By Eden Dawn

Business

Oregon's Lawmakers Demand to Know Where Our Small Biz Funding Is

In a group letter to the SBA, senators and representatives want to know if the federal stimulus money is coming, and when.

04/16/2020 By Eden Dawn

News

The CDC Says You Should Wear a Mask and We Say It Can Look Good

These local designers are sewing custom reusable face masks for sale and donation.

04/10/2020 By Kyle Sosa

Business

34 Local Business Orgs Plead to Governor Brown for Immediate Action

“Oregon’s small businesses are hurting right now. Without immediate financial relief, thousands of them will shut down forever.”

04/09/2020 By Eden Dawn

WeWork Rework

WeWork Had a Great Fall. Now an Oregon Native Is Trying to Put It Back Together Again.

Miguel McKelvey on what it will take to get his company back on its feet

04/01/2020 By Fiona McCann

Community Resource

Portland’s Small Businesses Pool Resources to Help Each Other

From legal help to marketing counsel to online groups and forums, Portland’s small business community is stepping up.

03/31/2020 By Eden Dawn and Fiona McCann

Red Tape

Oregon Businesses Can Make the Gear Doctors Desperately Need. So What's the Holdup?

Federal regulations, a lack of funding, and no clear direction from the top, for starters.

03/31/2020 By Julia Silverman

Coronavirus

Portland’s Small Business Grant Applications Are Open until April 1

Portland’s Small Business Relief Fund is aimed at getting $2,000—$10,000 grants to 200 small businesses. Some say that’s not nearly enough.

03/30/2020 By Eden Dawn

Coronavirus

Portland's Small Businesses Want to Know If and When Help Is Coming

As local businesses are forced to shutter, they look to the state and federal government for economic relief. Here's what that might look like.

03/26/2020 By Eden Dawn