Email Address
info@beaconbusinessalliance.org
Our Location
Seattle, WA
A 2024 Southeast Seattle Recap
As the new year approaches, we’ve been reflecting on the amazing strides made this year. It’s been such an exciting year for us. We have also grown our partnership with Essential Southeast Seattle. We are community-based organizations focused in different neighborhoods across southeast Seattle doing community work, and through ESES we strategize and strengthen our collective efforts. We’re so grateful to be a part of the Southeast Seattle community!
We have continued to advocate for existing and new businesses, but this year we grew our team by adding two outreach specialists whose main focus is to deepen direct relationships with brick and mortar businesses across the neighborhoods. We have also committed to building the ESES Marketplace with creative entrepreneurs, home businesses and service oriented businesses. In 2025 we hope the results of this work will start to show (check out the who’s who in the marketplace here). We hope you have enjoyed another year of winter lights and garlands wrapping our neighborhood businesses! We were able to cover those expenses this year for all. Joining this incredible team and working alongside the ESES Collective has been a huge highlight for me personally.
I haven’t formally introduced myself to the community, my name is Agueda Pacheco Flores and I’ve been with the team since March, and since then, it’s been non-stop action! I’m responsible for communications, including writing newsletters for Beacon Business Alliance, ESES, and Mt. Baker Hub (you’ve probably seen my work in your inboxes!). But beyond just newsletters, I’ve also been diving into social media strategy for the ESES Collective, which has been such a rewarding challenge.
Since taking over the social media strategy for the ESES Collective, I’ve been working to create content that engages and grows our community. It’s been awesome to see how our Instagram account has been growing, too! In the last year, we’ve seen 80% increase in engagement with our posts , and a 60% increase in our reach —total number of users who see our posts. That’s been such a huge win, and I’m really proud of the direction things are headed. I’m excited to see this momentum continue into the new year! So what else happened this year?
Team Growth: Meet Angel Mitchell
I’m not the only newcomer to the team! Angel Mitchell also came on team this year as a project manager for Beacon Business Alliance. She’s been a game-changer for us, especially in managing and organizing projects. One of the initiatives she’s been leading is to revamp the Creative Connections program for 2025, This program connects creative entrepreneurs and businesses in Southeast Seattle. Check out 2023 reels when you subscribe to our YouTube channel. It’s been exciting to see the program evolve, and we’re looking forward to taking it even further!
Of course, as BBA is part of ESES, all of this work is reinforced by the collective effort and collaboration between our amazing partners— Beacon Business Alliance, Homesight, Rainier ABC, and Mt. Baker Hub. We’re all working together to create positive change in Southeast Seattle, and I couldn’t be more proud to be part of such a strong team.
A huge shout-out is due to my colleagues who make the work we do at ESES possible: Angela Castañeda, Flora Tempel, Kate Bond, Walker Murray, and our Homesight partners uplifting the MLK Business Association area, Sarah Valenta, Spring Gin, and Felicia Pelaez. Each of them brings something invaluable to the table, whether it’s community organizing, program development, or creative strategy. It’s a true team effort, and we feel so fortunate to work alongside such passionate and dedicated individuals. Together, we’ve been able to amplify the impact of ESES, and I know we are all excited to continue building on this momentum in the coming year.
Shining a Spotlight on Black-Owned Businesses
One of the projects I’m most proud of this year was the Black Black Friday reel series I put together for ESES. The series highlighted Black-owned retail businesses in Southeast Seattle. We all wanted to show love for local businesses that often go under the radar. It was amazing to see the positive response from the community, and it really made me appreciate the ingenuity of these small businesses and what they contribute to our neighborhood.
ESES in the Media
This year we got our digital Marketplace some advertisement for the first time ever. Keep your eyes out for our logo in places like The Stranger, South Seattle Emerald, Seattle Met, and The Seattle Times. Our hope is this will add value for businesses and entrepreneurs who are using our marketplace, which is a great place to find unique gifts this season. Follow us on social media to see our campaign highlighting Southeast Seattle gems on the marketplace as well as brick-and-mortar businesses offering promotions and happy hours.
What’s Next?
As we look ahead to 2025, I can’t help but feel excited for what’s coming. With Angel and me settling in, and the continued support from our incredible colleagues and partners, I know we’re going to continue growing, learning, and doing amazing things together. I’m so grateful for all the support we’ve received this year, and I’m eager to see where we can take things in the future. The holiday season is always a time for reflection, but it’s also a time to plan ahead, and we’ve got some big plans in the works!
From all of us here, I want to wish you a warm and joyful holiday season. Thank you for being part of our journey in 2024, and here’s to even bigger wins, growth, and successes in 2025. I can’t wait to share everything we’ve got planned for the new year!
About
For people who love Beacon Hill’s ethnic, social, and economic diversity, Beacon Business Alliance promotes the neighborhood, connects stakeholders, and more.
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Location
- P.O. Box 14059 Seattle WA 98114
- Info@beaconbusinessalliance.org
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