Kitsap means business

Meet the inaugural Matchstick Lab cohort that started it all.

Cohort I

Darren O’Connor I NthoX
Smart electric vehicle charging, manufactured in Kingston.
Dionne + Greg Showers I Backflow Assembly Solutions
Backflow testing services, repair, and replacement for developments, commercial, residential, water departments, city, county, state, and federal agencies.
Megan Clarke I Sites on the Sound
Beautiful, user-friendly websites that help small business owners maximize their online presence and achieve their goals.
Megan Martin I Indigo Plum Shoes & Apparel
Bringing you the latest footwear, apparel and outerwear fashions for the entire family.
Michael Griffin I Griffin Gallery NW
A fine art gallery of one, in the midst of evolution.
Reama Schuldt I Spread Supplies
A new and used art supplies store located on Callow in Bremerton.
Sandra Rocha Evanoff I Brasil Comes to You
Authentic Brazilian dinner parties and cooking classes, online and at home.
Sara Smith I Dream Maker Creative
Mobile arts and crafts studio providing in-person workshops in Kitsap, Mason and Pierce County, WA.
Tricia Benson I Viking Marine
Marine electrician services with a focus on lithium conversion/solar upgrades and complete systems refits.

Five months.
Ten businesses.

Cohort I participants benefitted from:

Membership at Vibe Coworks
A supportive peer community
Intensive business plan training + professional training workshops
Personalized mentoring and technical guidance
Curated introductions and networking opportunities
Marketing assets, including a custom business video

Thanks to grant funding, the Micro Business Accelerator is free to apply for, free to participate in, and there is no equity exchanged.

Meet the Matchstick Mentors

Behind every great entrepreneur is long line of mentors and advisors. This experienced team of mentors is here to support Matchstick Lab Cohort I founders by offering objective advice, fresh perspective, and a listening ear—one-on-one, and in small groups.

Aljolynn Sperber

Marketing consultant + entrepreneur / With expertise in public relations, marketing strategy, social media management, campaign marketing, crisis communications and more, Aljolynn is a skilled marketer and champion for small businesses in Kitsap County.

Brad Gleeson

Serial entrepreneur, management consultant and business development pro / A 25-year veteran of the technology-based business startup world with a distinguished career establishing successful differentiated businesses with innovative business models, cutting-edge products and effective go-to-market strategies.

Chuck Smith

Entrepreneur and CTO / Technology executive and entrepreneur with 25 years of experience leading high-growth teams and building category-defining software products. Chuck has deep technical experience with software development, information security, enterprise SaaS platforms, distributed systems, data analytics and warehousing, and infrastructure engineering.

Jake Miller

Financial executive / A disciplined, innovative, results-oriented financial executive with a proven track record negotiating merger and acquisition transactions, commercial agreements, and strategic alliances. Specific expertise in greenfield and operational infrastructure assets (telecom, energy transition, renewable energy and transportation sectors).

Dr. Samantha Mathis

Leadership development coach + military veteran / Coaches leaders at all levels on how to cultivate deeper self-awareness of individual strengths and resourcefulness, ultimately developing the self-confidence, resilience, needed to become the leaders they strive to be. Also: supporting transitioning military and veteran personnel transfer their valuable and unique skillsets to the civilian workplace.

About the Matchstick Lab Micro Business Accelerator

The Matchstick Lab Micro Business Accelerator is a dedicated five month program designed to accelerate the entrepreneurial endeavors of underrepresented entrepreneurs and small business owners in Kitsap.

Learn more