Success Stories


High Impact Technology co-founders Russell Monk and Tom Ohnstad in front of the company's 23 patents

Blast Protection Makes an Impact with Oregon’s Exports

Protecting service members in Iraq and Afghanistan was the top priority in 2004 for High Impact Technology co-founders Russell Monk, Tom Ohnstad and their team when they developed Ballistic Jacket, a self-sealing/self-healing protective coating for military fuel tanker trucks. Projectiles could be shot into the fuel tank, but no fuel could leak out. By 2013, reduced demand by the U.S. government gave Monk and his team an opportunity to take the company in a new direction.

Solution

With 23 patents under its belt, the company knew its technology had applications to protect critical infrastructure not only in the U.S. but all over the world.  In order to introduce itself to the global marketplace, High Impact Technology had to find a way to connect with potential international customers in a... Read More

Building on a Family Tradition in the Pacific Northwest

Growing up with a contractor for a father and being one of six brothers and sisters as part of his “crew,” the constructing business came naturally for Brenda Fairbanks who started Daybreak Construction in 2000. After nearly 10 years of doing smaller residential and commercial projects, Fairbanks was ready to expand her business and explore the opportunities of entering the federal contracting marketplace. As she was preparing to take the next step, tragedy struck as she was involved in a serious car accident leaving her unable to walk for nearly a year.

Solution

As Fairbanks was recovering, she learned that she was accepted into the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program, a nine-year government contracting certification to provide a level playing field for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people or entities. With the help of an SBA backed loan, Fairbanks was able to... Read More

Paying It Forward and Making a Global Impact in Oregon

Donating a fleece blanket to a homeless shelter near the customer for every blanket the company sells is the business model Sackcloth & Ashes co-founder Bob Dalton has used since producing his first blanket in Monmouth, Oregon in June 2014. He was inspired to start the company when he learned his hardworking single mother had found herself living on the streets in 2013 in Florida, and as a way to make a difference, he learned what homeless shelters needed most - blankets. Dalton’s talents of marketing the one-for-one business model to retailers and co-founder Jordan Tardie’s operational management skills, helped propel the brand’s popularity across the country, but they needed access to capital to help them take their message to the global marketplace.

Solution

In 2019, Co-owner and Chief Financial Officer Samuel Campbell, with Tardie and Dalton, approached the West Salem Branch of Columbia... Read More

Making Movement Matter in Oregon

Shortly after earning his doctorate in physical therapy and a Master in Healthcare Administration, 25-year-old Bryan Lang never thought he would pursue his passion for helping others outside a traditional healthcare network. That changed when an opportunity to purchase a clinic from a retiring physical therapist was presented to him. With the help of co-founders Justine Cosman and his sister Kara Schuft, both physical therapists, Whole Body Health and Physical Therapy opened its doors in northwest Portland in 2014. The clinic’s patient-centered approach to treating simple strains, sprains, post-operative surgical repairs, and chronic pain soon made it very popular with the local community and the new owners realized they could use some help managing their growing practice.

Solution

They turned to the local Portland SCORE chapter for business counseling assistance. Through a series of monthly meetings, SCORE mentor Kaye... Read More

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