we are bricks need mortar
Where main street businesses go to gain skills, access resources, and collaborate.
Your business is an essential asset to the community 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.
May Shop Talk: Retail Pulse Check with Travel Portland
Bricks Need Mortar is partnering with Travel Portland for our May Shop Talk!
Join BNM and Travel Portland for a round table discussion centered around Portland’s retailers!
Thursday, May 22nd from 5:30PM – 8:00PM at the Portland Visitor Center at 1132 SW Harvey Milk St. #104, Portland, OR 97205.
Please note that Travel Portland has a limited capacity of 45 guests for this event.
About Us
Our mission is to provide support with advocacy, connection, community, guidance and resources, so as an independent business you don’t have to feel as though you are going alone.
- Our goal is to lead small businesses to access resources, gain skills and facilitate collaboration so small businesses can thrive into the future.
- We believe in community over competition and believe we can efficiently and effectively deliver value, results, and solutions to this community as a whole.
- The culture of our organization is centered in helping all businesses through these challenging times, particularly those businesses who are disenfranchised and marginalized.
Shop Talk with Portland Office of Small Business Manager Mitch Daugherty
Learn about Portland’s new Office of Small Business.
Mitch Daugherty, manager of the Office of Small Business at Prosper Portland will be on hand to share more about the office, their mission and efforts.
Mitch wants to hear from you about what it is that you need and how the Office of Small Business can best work together with Bricks Need Mortar to foster an environment in Portland where small businesses can thrive.
The Paladins League will provide coffee and pastries.
This event is free to attend.
Join the Bricks Need Mortar Coalition Today
Strengthen and grow your business
$
49
Monthly or $490/yr
-
Be part of our growing community of independent small businesses.
Creating Community
As the the environment in which we conduct business is ever changing the need for connection,collaboration, innovation and learning is more essential than ever before. We host monthly in person Shop Talks and virtual learning sessions + panel discussions to help you gain skills, partner with peers and ensure your voice is heard.
We Are Here
Bricks Need Mortar conducts surveys to capture the pulse of Portland’s small brick and mortar business community. We share data with small businesses so you can see how you stand in relation to your peers and help guide you in making important decisions.
We share this data with policy makers to help them understand the needs of our community and to support our advocacy efforts.
Visibility
BNM amplifies brick and mortar small businesses through Small Shops Big Hearts website, social media and email channels. Social media channels and emails reach over 10K shoppers and growing. We send out a monthly email inspiring readers with community stories and small business features, reminding consumers of all the reasons to shop small businesses all year round. We produce the Discover the Heart of Portland Shopping guide, distributing 20K copies through Travel Portland and Travel Oregon visitor centers, participating businesses, local hotels and airbnbs.
Advocacy
Bricks Need Mortar provides a voice and visibility for Portland’s brick and mortar small businesses. Founder, Sarah Shaoul, meets and communicates with local leaders and policy makers to collaborate on solutions to improve the environment in which small businesses operate. We initiate and advise on policy matters that impact our brick and mortar small businesses. Bricks Need Mortar is the voice of our small business community and ensures representation for business owners who lack the bandwidth to follow and engage in policy discussions.
Community
Storytelling Offerings
These packages highlight the voices and stories that power our community. We create authentic, engaging content that strengthens connections, builds trust and amplifies your impact as a community invested small business.
Dedicated Member Reel
1 social media video post to highlight 1 business Videos will be posted to SSBH Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok with appropriate tags and collaboration invite to partner business. Available to BNM members only
Community Group Reel Package
Campaigns will be posted to SSBH Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok with appropriate tags and collaboration invites to participating businesses. Businesses will receive equitable representation in package series. At least 1 participating business must be a BNM member.
Spring 2021 Group Coaching 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.
As we enter a new year with new challenges, it’s important to make note of our accomplishments and how we can build upon them to make the greatest and most meaningful impact moving forward.
Our Founder
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.
Katherine Sealy
Founder & CEO Event Cosmetics
With over 20 years of experience in dermatology, cosmetology, and fashion, Katherine Sealy's talents are known and sought around the country.
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 Ask Armstrong
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.
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.
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.
Erica Lurie
Founder and Designer at Garnish Apparel
Erica Lurie is the founder / designer of Garnish Apparel, a Portland-based brand offering styling services and a house line of locally made clothing and accessories for professional women. Their brick-and-mortar is located in the Pearl District.
Sponsors & Partners
Partner with Us to Support a Vibrant Thriving Community!
We partner with organizations and companies that share goals of supporting our community and the small businesses that make Portland the place we love.
Let’s talk about how your organization can be part of this movement.
