we are bricks need mortar

Where main street businesses go to gain and collaborate.

Your business is an essential asset to the neighborhood, its residents, and the local economy.

We are here to partner with you to survive, sustain, and thrive into the future.

Advocacy & Visibility

Bricks Need Mortar advocates for small businesses with campaigns designed to direct customers to support small, independent businesses. We also share vital information on the needs health of our community with policy makers so they make decisions that positively impact small, independent brick and mortar businesses.

Coaching & Resources

We provide both, individual 1 on 1 and group coaching for members and at reduced rates. We share strategic planning, best practices and thought leadership to help you work smarter and your business hum brighter.

Community & Connection

Our monthly live and virtual panel discussions allow for learning and a great way to connect with other members in our community. Get inspired, learn from subject matter experts and collaborate with peers.

Partnering & Progress

We understand that partnering with organizations whose missions and actions align with the needs and goals of our members, helps our businesses grow and prosper. Our affiliates, sponsors and partners provide resources and services that we are able to offer you at affordable rates.

Join the Bricks Need Mortar Coalition Today

Be part of our growing community of independent small businesses.

$ 49 Monthly or $490/yr

Access to Monthly Events
PDX SOS Listing
Member Only Content (pdxsos, advocacy, and survey + infographics)
50% Off Discount on Office Hours
50% Off Discount on Group Coaching
Featured on the IG Feed/BNM Newsletter
Custom Branding Assets
1 Free $250 value consultation
Connect with Other Leaders
Opportunity to Participate in Seasonal Promotions
Save on Kuto payment processing
PDXSOS job listing board -free listing and promotion of open positions
Coaching with Think NW
Discount on Mac's List Job Listings Bricks Need Mortar members get $15 off job postings.

high value

Bricks Need Mortar founder, Sarah Shaoul, received Portland’s 2020 Rising Star Achievement Award by Oregon’s Travel and Tourism Industry for her volunteer work creating PDXSOS.com, the call to action to save our small businesses, and for her advocacy and support of small businesses with Bricks Need Mortar.

Succesful hiring practices for the reopening economy.

Join Bricks Need Mortar for a panel discussion on successful hiring practices for the reopening economy.

Our panel:
Gloria Coleman Cofounder: Four Forces + HR Specialist
Kaci Korinek Human Resources Director: Workplace Change
Mac Prichard Founder: Prichard Communications + Mac’s List

Free for Bricks Need Mortar members
$25 for non-members

Spring 2021 and Technical Assistance for Central Eastside Small Businesses

Bricks Need Mortar will provide 6 months of technical assistance, learning sessions, and group coaching to 12 businesses within the Central Eastside Together ESD District Boundary.

Help our businesses thrive
Be part of the movement

Take a peek inside our past events and survey results

Our Team

Sarah Shaoul
BNM founder

Passionate about human engagement, Sarah works with businesses to establish and maintain healthy ethos and culture to propel businesses to thrive forward.

Sarah Shaoul is a business consultant and coach with over 25 years of experience owning, operating and building retail brands.

Advisory Team

Jared Mees

Owner at Tender Loving Empire

Tender Loving Empire curates a collection of goods and music from hundreds of independent makers for people who want to support their creative community, surround themselves with beauty and live wholehearted.

Michele E. Reeves

Founder at Civilis Consultants

Civilis Consultants works to assist commercial districts to recognize and leverage their strengths, craft unique brands, and ultimately, increase sales per square foot.

Ashley Henry

Executive Director at BBPDX

BBPDX works to engage Portland's business leaders in the civic processes that shape the direction of the city. Ashley is passionate about connecting leaders with strategic opportunities to bring greater shared prosperity to all Portlanders.

Will Cervarich

Co-Owner and Director of Development at Betsy & Iya

Founded in 2008 Betsy & Iya is a brick and mortar shop in NW Portland and jewelry brand. Will specializes in systems, operations and brand strategy.

Rebecca Armstrong

CEO at North

Rebecca spearheads agency direction and guides communications strategies for clients that include Hydro Flask, Peet's Coffee & Tea, New Seasons, Hood River Distillers and Green Valley Creamery among others.

Jim Hassert

COO of Grovemade

Jim Hassert has over 15 years experience owning and running small businesses and loves helping passionate owners turn vision into reality.

Bridgid Blackburn

Co-Owner at Cargo

Cargo is a 25 year old home goods and lifestyle shop in Portland's Central Eastside. Bridgid is on the board of the CEIC, Venture Portland, founder of Merchants & Makers Committee and serves on committees for the Regional Arts Council, Business for a Better Portland, and Portland Means Progress.

Betsy Cross

Founder and Co-Owner at Betsy & Iya

Founded in 2008 Betsy & Iya is a brick and mortar shop in NW Portland and jewelry brand. Betsy is the Lead Deisnger and Creative Director.

Ray Moseley

Business Mentor at Prince's Trust

Ray Moseley has a varied professional career starting in sales at IBM, then Investment Banking at Smith Barney. The mainstay of his career was spent as a principal building AND1 to a $250m global brand.

Mitch Daugherty

Executive Director at Built Oregon

Built Oregon supports the growth of Oregon’s consumer product industries in order to create sustainable, inclusive, and innovative job growth.

Sponsors & Partners

How Can We Help Your Business?