Photo by Molly Quan
Some of my greatest memories involved observing the lively and often boisterous conversations at extended family gatherings, enjoying a delicious combination of Iraqi, Hungarian, Romanian, and Jewish foods together. My family spoke about both the promises and challenges of their new lives in a melange of languages.
As a first-generation Iraqi/Romanian American, I grew up watching my immigrant parents and extended family work hard to pursue the “American Dream.” I saw firsthand the challenges my family faced overcoming language, cultural, social, and other barriers. Everyone hustled – balancing multiple jobs, pursuing education, and some creating small businesses in an uphill economic reality.
Inspired by my family’s pluck and tenacity, I moved to Portland at the age of 21, opening my first store, a vintage and resale clothing shop with just $2,500. That business, Retread Threads, would grow into a second location in downtown Portland and give birth to its little sibling store, Black Wagon, an e-commerce shop with a soon-to-follow flagship in Portland, Oregon.
After 28 years owning and operating brick-and-mortar retail concepts, I sold my last store to pursue my love of writing and a passion project in the form of a podcast. Grief Gratitude & Greatness is an exploration of our culture’s relationship with grief by engaging people in conversation to normalize often-stigmatized, difficult subjects. In 2020, I received a RACC grant for the podcast.
Throughout the past two decades, I have worked as a coach and consultant for small businesses, working with clients independently and as a counselor with The Small Business Development Center. I have long advocated for small businesses as a member of Portland’s Small Business Advisory Council and other public sector forums.
In 2020, I created PDXSOS.com, a consumer-facing call to action to support small businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic. PDXSOS.com is now Small Shops - Big Hearts, a directory of over 800 small businesses. Concurrently, I founded Bricks Need Mortar, an organization that provides advocacy, consulting, connection, and solutions to keep our small business community thriving.
I am honored to have been awarded Oregon’s Travel and Tourism Industry’s Portland’s Rising Star Achievement Award (2021), Travel Portland’s 2023 President’s Award, and Portland Business Journal’s 2024 Game Changers Recognition.
Human engagement and rewarding experiences are at the center of all of my work, from my podcast and writing to my work with small businesses and the organizations who support them. I keenly observe and explore solutions to how we can have healthy, successful, and rewarding relationships with one another in and out of the workplace.
Just like the family meals that were vibrant with bold, satisfying, and meaningful conversation, I foster that same feeling with the people, businesses, and organizations I work with.
