Amber Puzey is the first to tell you her shop, A Lettered Home, is not merely a bookstore – it’s a love letter to the city of West Richland, written with her own hand.

When the Frichettes first bought the Red Mountain land for their vineyard and winery and lived in a mobile home on the property, Shae Frichette kept several raised beds of flowers and vegetables. Now she’s taking on her grandest gardening project to date as vineyard manager, along with creating overnight lodging experiences.

In nearly 13 years at Benton-Franklin Health District, the agency's district administrator worked her way from administrative assistant to district administrator – without the four-year degree many assumed the job required. Her approach to leadership, built on relationships rather than credentials, has shaped how the health district operates today.

It’s been a story of setbacks and survival for two women trying to launch their business, but with luck and a lot of resilience, they’ve opened a shop in West Richland. 

The president of a nonprofit coalition of the state’s largest companies doesn’t deny business owners are feeling pressured from all sides. But Rachel Smith, president of Washington Roundtable, is “not part of the Chicken Little crowd."

About 100 tickets are left for the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual Tri-Cities Women in Business Conference in September. The popular conference has sold out in recent years.  

The woman who has led the Tri-Cities’ largest business and professional network for the past 20 years has announced her plans to pass the torch. 

Working women may soon have an easier time navigating a major life change in the workplace.

A long-time independent bookstore and a salon specializing in natural hair care have received $20,000 grants to help them to continue growing and serving the community.