Business Development Toolkit
Business Development Advisory Committee:
Created in early 2025, the Business Development Advisory Committee (BDAC) discussed the need for thorough information about the various steps that business owners should take when navigating the commercial location process. From feasibility to final occupancy, their goal was to provide helpful information to better prepare business owners to make well informed decisions about the location they intend to lease or purchase, how to prepare for the permitting and building process, and how to make the process as affordable and smooth as possible.
“We are here to help you transition from vision to completion with confidence and clarity -
equipping you with foundational knowledge before starting your commercial location journey.”
Knowledge is power. Knowing the right questions to ask and the correct terminology to use is beneficial for you and the professionals you will interact with. “You don’t know what you don’t know” is equally true whether you are a business owner, government agency, or service professional. Our goal is to help provide the guidance and information necessary to
Purpose:
Are you starting or thinking about starting a business?
Are you purchasing an existing business?
Are you expanding your current business?
Are you making the transition from leasing to owning a commercial location?
Wherever you are with your business, we are thrilled for you! Whether you are dreaming up your first business, expanding a successful business, or navigating commercial real estate, we want you to know that you are not alone in your business journey. We are your allies and we are here to help you prepare for one of the most challenging parts of business ownership: navigating the commercial location process.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (BDAC) FOUNDING and TOOLKIT PROJECT TEAM
Chrissy Shull - Owner, Integrity Piercing, BDAC Chair
Steve Wilkinson - Executive Director, Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce
Chelsea Ewer - Director of Operations, Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce
Deanna Walter - Community Development Director, Chelan County
Jordyn Giulio - County Administrator, Douglas County
Heather Mauseth - Building Official and Fire Marshall, Douglas County
Curtis Lillquist - Planning Department Director, City of East Wenatchee
Chris Hanson - Building and Fire Plans Examiner, City of Wenatchee
Emma Honeycutt - Assistant City Engineer, City of Wenatchee
Stephen Neuenschwander - Assistant Community Development Director, City of Wenatchee
Tom Wachholder - Public Works Director, City of Wenatchee
Brian Dickey - Environmental Health Specialist, Chelan-Douglas Health District
Dominique Gilley - Supervisor, Food and Living Environments Programs, Chelan-Douglas Health District
Richmond Petty - Onsite and Drinking Water Supervisor, Chelan-Douglas Health District
Marc Hart - Owner, King Pizza
Addy Hernandez - Realtor, Windermere Real Estate
Brooke Lammert - Economic Development, Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority
Melissa Kenady - Owner, Kenady Group
Steve Maher - Coordinator, Our Valley Our Future
Danielle Martin - CEO, Building NCW
Nik Moushon - Architect, MJ Neal Associates
Rosa Pulido - Executive Director, Wenatchee Downtown Association
Stacy Suydam - SVP, Commercial Banking Officer, Peoples Bank