The owners of these top-notch businesses help make Seattle one of the country’s best cities for female entrepreneurs.
Illustrations by Jonny Ruzzo
HEATHER HODGE & EMILY KIM
THE PASTRY PROJECT
This social enterprise, opened during the pandemic by two women who met while working at Molly Moon’s Ice Cream, provides free baking and pastry training to those in the industry with barriers to education and employment. Shop for their tasty goods online, or follow their social media pages to learn of Seattle-area pop-ups.
165 S Main St
thepastryproject.co
JEAN THOMPSON
SEATTLE CHOCOLATE
Owner and CEO Thompson grew Seattle Chocolate into a nationally recognized company, and in 2012 she launched the jcoco brand, which features bold flavors like black fig pistachio and edamame sea salt. A percentage of every purchase helps fight hunger. Tour the Tukwila factory, and purchase take-home treats at the SEA Airport shop.
1180 Andover Park W, Tukwila
seattlechocolate.com
SUZANA OLMOS
CITIZEN CAMPFIRE
Olmos has been an entrepreneur since she sold flowers from a neighborhood park as a child. Citizen Campfire, “Seattle’s summer camp for adulting,” has found success. Sit in the beer garden, and order from another of Olmos’s innovative outposts, Lazy Susan—a Korean-meets-Mexican eatery that serves scrumptious dishes like bulgogi burritos.
706 Taylor Ave N
citizencampfire.com
MALIKA SIDDIQ
LIKA LOVE/IN THE HEART
When Malika Siddiq moved her mobile, pop-up fashion business into a brick-andmortar space, she turned surplus square footage into a New Orleans–style speakeasy serving classic cocktails and Southern-inspired dishes. The bar is racking up rave reviews, and the shopping-drinking-eating experience is a hit with girls’ nights out.
4547 California Ave SW (enter the bar from the alley)
likalove.com/pages/intheheart
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