Seattle Office of Economic Development

Meet La Union Studio, a design studio with a mission to support local businesses and celebrate culture through design. 🎨🌎

As interior designers, founders Sonia-Lynn Abenojar and Sergio Max Legon-Talmoni know what it takes to turn an idea into a reality. After helping friends and family with several projects, they were inspired to start La Union Studio. A decade later, their dream has a home – a brick-and-mortar office in Mt. Baker, the neighborhood where they grew up.

La Union is the first business to partner with our office and Grow America - formerly NDC through the Business Community Ownership Fund. This program helps address small business displacement and rising commercial rents, allowing entrepreneurs like Sonia-Lynn and Sergio to own their space and build community. 💛🖤

Discover how Sonia-Lynn and Sergio turned their vision into reality and created a lasting impact in their community: https://bottomline.seattle.gov/2026/05/27/la-union-uses-business-community-ownership-fund-to-build-community-with-their-commercial-space/

Commercials are driving more than cars through Seattle, they’re driving our local film industry. 🎥🚗💨

A new TOYOTA commercial filmed in Seattle, utilizing our city’s versatile landscapes, incredible talent, and streamlined permitting process. Commercial film productions made up more than half of all productions filmed in Seattle last year, creating more than 2,100 local jobs.

Learn more about how we’re making it easier and more affordable to film commercials in Seattle: https://bottomline.seattle.gov/2026/05/20/toyota-commercial-spotlights-seattles-commercial-film-industry/



Washington Filmworks

The Chinatown-International District is one of the city's most diverse neighborhoods, rich in history and culture. 🏮🐉

The Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area supports neighborhood businesses by providing services like advocacy, cleaning, and security. It also hosts a calendar of signature events, including the Night Market, Lunar New Year celebration, and Food Walks. The C-ID is all about community, bringing people together to celebrate this incredible neighborhood. ❤️

Learn more about Seattle’s 11 BIAs and what they do (and don’t) do for our city’s business districts: https://bottomline.seattle.gov/2025/11/20/business-improvement-areas-provide-community-driven-approach-to-support-seattles-business-districts/

Happy National Small Business Week! 🎉

We're celebrating the heart of our communities: small businesses. From your favorite local coffee shop to the boutique down the street, these businesses add character and vibrancy to our neighborhoods. They don't just create jobs; they build stronger, more connected communities. 💙🛍️

Before he became our acting director, Beto Yarce was a small business owner himself. He started his business, Cintli, selling jewelry and Mexican folk art at local markets. In 2004, he expanded by opening a shop in the iconic Pike Place Market.

“My time at Pike Place Market connected me to a sense of community and grassroots organizers, people who care about each other and want our city and region to be better,” he said. “I care about my community and my city, and I want to make it better. That’s why I’m doing this work.”

Let's show them some extra love this week! ❤️

Read more about Beto's small business journey: https://bottomline.seattle.gov/2026/05/04/from-farmers-markets-to-pike-place-market-acting-director-beto-yarce-shares-his-journey-as-a-small-business-owner/

S**O is a unique neighborhood filled with a diverse business community, and the S**O BIA is here to help it thrive! 💚

The S**O BIA keeps the neighborhood clean and safe, adds vibrant murals 🎨 and pocket parks 🌳, and provides networking opportunities to help local businesses thrive. Through these efforts, they are building a stronger community for everyone.

Learn more about the incredible work the S**O BIA does for their neighborhood: https://bottomline.seattle.gov/2026/04/29/sodo-business-improvement-area-supports-businesses-neighborhood-to-create-a-vibrant-community/

**OBIA