Find Out Why the Palouse Region is a Startup Launchpad 

Chiana McInelly

The Palouse region is a great place to start a business. From community support and university resources to organizations, like the chambers of commerce in Moscow, ID, and Pullman, WA, entrepreneurs have everything they need to take their startups from ideation to market.

Ahead, local entrepreneurs share about their experiences opening and growing businesses in the Palouse region.

Cory and Blake Preston: Owners of Etsi Bravo, Paddock Spirits Co., The Emporium and Cry Baby Café

Cory Preston met his wife, Blake, while they were working at restaurants in Pullman. They soon developed plans for a place of their own and opened a bar called Etsi Bravo in Pullman in 2015. The upscale cocktail lounge sold to-go cocktails during the pandemic, leading to a line of canned cocktails called Paddock Spirits. Soon thereafter, they opened a restaurant, bar and nightclub called The Emporium and a cafe called Cry Baby Café, both in Pullman.

Chiana McInelly

What resources did you use to start your businesses?

With Paddock Spirits, we were able to succeed because area restaurants and bars supported us and took our product on. We’re so grateful for that, because we could be in a community where people view one another as competition, but it’s never felt that way in Pullman.

When opening The Emporium and Cry Baby Café, the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) was really helpful. When we opened Etsi Bravo, we just sort of charged ahead and learned how much we didn’t know when it comes to finance and legal. The Pullman Chamber of Commerce set us up with the SBDC, and they had a program where we got free hour-long sessions with accountants and lawyers who gave us advice.

Why would you recommend the Palouse region to people wanting to start a business?

It’s more forgiving. If we tried to do any of these businesses in a city like Seattle, we would get eaten alive with the high price of rent. But there’s also a personal or community connection here that’s been necessary in our success. People came out to support us, which is a pretty remarkable trait for a city to have.

What advice would you give those looking to start a business?

Now that we’ve done things a few different ways, I’d su gest utilizing those resources, like the Pullman Chamber and the SBDC, to assist you with your research and decision-making, because these organizations are just as excited as you are to get new energy and new business in town, and they know the lay of the land. 

Chiana McInelly

Graham Lilly: Owner of Hunga Dunga Brewing Co.

Graham Lilly grew up in Moscow and attended the University of Idaho, where he studied microbiology and bioethics with the intention of continuing to medical school.

As a hobby at the time, he was also home brewing, and the closer he got to graduating, the more he thought brewing beer professionally sounded more fun than school. Having worked in restaurants as a chef and bartender, he decided to open his own brewery.

What made you decide to open your business in Moscow?

At the time, there was not a brewery here. It was kind of crazy. There were two in Pullman, and it seemed like beer culture had just skipped over Moscow, so it was a pretty logical decision to try to do it here. We’re completely driven by the community. Without their support, it’d be really hard to make it, so we’re very fortunate to have our local community support us so well.

What resources did you utilize when starting your business?

The community really built Hunga Dunga. It took a lot of people who have different skill sets to contribute their skills. I have friends who are plumbers, electricians, painters – people who saw the vision and wanted to help. With their help and help from investors, we were able to open in a relatively large way and are looking at expanding.

Melissa Hartley

What are some lessons you’ve learned since opening your business?

One thing we’ve learned is that our employees are our most valuable assets. That’s one of our primary philosophies that has really helped drive our growth and development.