Built Oregon

Building a business from scratch is tough. A founder’s driving inspiration is often the only thing that keeps them from giving up. In this project with Built Oregon, we helped founders capture that spark to tap into when they need it most.

Sector 

Consumer Products

Services

Mission

Values

Brand positioning

Audience analysis

Strategic planning

Strategic messaging

Collaborators

Michelle Wald

Start-ups need capital, a business model, a supply chain, a marketing plan and about 50 hours in the day to get it all done. Taking time to dive deep into the company’s purpose is low on the list. Yet — when the going gets rough, and it will — it’s often that purpose that inspires a founder to persist.

Empowering BIPOC founders with Built Oregon

Built Oregon supports founders in the region’s rich tradition of consumer product creation (sneaker culture, craft brewing, foodie paradise — all built here). To ensure all start-ups get a chance, they created Bridges, a retail partnership program specifically for BIPOC founders. 

With a grant from Prosper Portland, we provided additional support to Bridges participants, helping them clarify and articulate their company’s purpose through workshops and 1:1 coaching. 

From an ice cream company that’s going national with its relationship-based business to a sweets shop fueled by family and love to natural cosmetic companies that draw from long-held traditional wisdom, these founders all stand for something bigger than themselves. 

We created a space for them to connect with their visions, find authentic language, and integrate this inspiration into their brands.