May 13, 2002
 

African gift shop will donate Valentine's Day profits to survivors in a village ravaged by AIDS
Having lost most of her village and family to AIDS, Atieno Kombe says whatever she can pull together from her Seattle business is the least she can do for relief efforts in Africa. Kombe, owner of Uzuri International Gifts, is donating profits from today's Valentine's Day sales to help African children and women who have lost their families to AIDS.

Paper or plastic? Some prefer beauty: Bag company finds niche in upscale retail
If plastic grocery sacks are the Yugos of the tote world, bags made by Hana Print and Pack of Seattle are the BMWs. Hana Print and Pack produces and sells the bags — company President John Kim calls them "portable billboards" — to high-end retailers, mostly in the fashion industry.

Soap makers' sweet niche: Renton family doesn't let recession delay entrepreneurial dreams
In the uncertain aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, as economists warned of a looming recession, Carolyn and Paul Ossorio grappled with sobering questions. Should they delay — or even abandon — plans to start their own business? After weeks of deliberation, the couple decided to go forward with the business, SoLu Soap. Today, they're glad they did.

Two bakers find right mix for success
If there's a recipe for business success, Debbie Pezzillo and Tina Brettholle of Seattle Baking Company believe they've found it — and it's a sweet one. Their inconspicuous Rainier Valley warehouse has become a baking powerhouse.