3 Female Business Owners Killing it in Everett's Small Business Scene

Everett's flourishing small business scene is a world filled with hard-working individuals that work day and night to make Everett the greatest city possible. Right in the heart of downtown, there are countless business owners who deserve a standing ovation.

Small business owners, we applaud you. 👏

This Mother's Day, we want to highlight some of Everett's fierce female business owners who hold their ground as thriving leaders. We hope you enjoy our mini-interviews with some of Everett's finest ladies on the block.

Shout-out to my mom, and all the moms out there, for being ladies we can look up to. 😎

**J. Matheson Gifts, Kitchen & Gourmet (permanently closed)**

**Owner Judy Matheson**

What first brought you to Everett, and why have you stayed?
I was born and raised in Everett, although my husband and I left Everett for a period of time, and then returned and settled and worked in Lake Stevens. Prior to opening the shop I worked in the retail industry for twenty odd years. When I decided to open my own store I chose to return to downtown Everett.

What inspired you to start a business in Everett?
I was inspired to open a store in Everett because I saw a need for a quality shop, and felt I could be successful, although many cautioned me against it.

Why did people warn you about starting a business in Everett?
As I was planning to open my store in downtown The Bon Marche, J. C. Penney’s , Pay N’ Save and all the other stores were leaving downtown. Many stores were going to the malls, and downtown areas were being deserted.

Since I grew up in Everett, I realized that there were people left in Everett who would support a quality store like mine. I was right, and from the beginning they showed their support and loyalty.

How long have you been working together as a couple/family? How did it come to be?
My husband Hugh has always helped out in some manner, both while working in his own business and after his retirement. We travel to tradeshows together and I value his input. He has great taste and a keen eye and he acts as a great scout for me while at the shows. We find that being able to travel together is a great perk and both knowing the ins-and-outs of the business allows us to make important decisions together. He also helps out at the shop on all manner of projects.

What are your roles in the business? What are your favorite tasks pertaining to your business?
I run the day to day activities of the shop, do the buying, pay the bills, etc. My favorite part of the business is interacting with and serving my customers - many of them are like family to me.

Do you have any gift suggestions for mothers this Mother's Day?
We have many wonderful gifts ideas for Mothers Day. Gift ideas include: Bath products, handcrafted jewelry, gardening items, books, sleepwear, clothing, and of course candy. Also, we offer complimentary gift wrapping.

Any fun facts about you or your business?
We have been voted best gift shop in the county for multiple years in a row. I [also] love to cook and entertain and I enjoy swimming at our local YMCA several times a week where I plan my day and stay healthy.

**Renee's (permanently closed)**

**Sue Nemo and Sharon Sanford**

What first brought you to Everett, and why have you stayed? What inspired you to continue a business in Everett?
Last year we were given the opportunity to purchase an established women’s boutique (Renee’s) here in Everett. We were familiar with the boutique, its reputation as a premier clothing store and its history of serving the Everett and surrounding communities for over 23 years. We were impressed with what is currently happening in downtown and along the waterfront/marina area. With all the new condominiums and growth, we see it as a viable place to work heading into the future.

How long have you been working together as a family? How did it come to be?
We have worked on and off together for many years. Our first venture together was a kitchen and interior design store in Mount Vernon 20 years ago, but later took time off when we each started our families. After our kids began school, we opened a small interior and building design firm but when the housing market took a down turn, we changed directions and each worked separately for several years. We took over Laurie’s, a small boutique in Stanwood two years ago and then purchased Renee’s last September, 2016.

What are both of your roles in the business?
We are owners and equal partners and share all responsibilities.

What are some of the perks of working with family? Any not-so-nice things?
Everything is a perk. We can be brutally honest with one another and bounce ideas back and forth, which is a definite perk. Knowing each other so well helps when making decisions.

Do you have any suggestions of items in your shop to give as gifts for Mother's Day?
Jewelry is always a nice, easy gift. Scarves, candles and soap that we carry make great gifts too. Of course, a nice quality shirt or sweater would make any mom happy.

Any fun facts about you or your business?
We happen to be identical twin sisters.

**Lombardi's Italian Restaurant**

**Founder Diane Symms and Vice President Kerri Lonergan-Dreke**

What first brought you to Everett, and why have you stayed?
Kerri: We were attracted to Everett because of the scenic waterfront and our vision of Everett as a thriving, tight knit community in need of additional upscale dining opportunities.

Diane: I saw Snohomish County as a place where there would be growth opportunities as well as waterfront opportunities – because who doesn’t like the waterfront? [I saw it] as a growth strategy, we already had locations in Ballard (Seattle) and Issaquah (Eastside) at that time (1998). We had our sailboat moored out on a dock and we were down at the Marina often. It seemed like a natural fit as there is so much waterfront in Italy in the areas where we had visited.

What inspired you to start a business in Everett?
Lombardi’s was founded in 1987, in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. We were excited about the chance to design a restaurant from the ground up, and to become a pillar in a Snohomish County community, where we both reside.

How long have you been working together as a family? How did it come to be?
Diane opened her first restaurant in 1970 as a single mother. Kerri worked for her mom as a teenager in the summers. After spending a year in the banking industry upon earning a degree in Business Administration, Kerri returned to the family business shortly before Lombardi’s inception in 1987.

What are/is your roles in the business?
Diane: As the founder, I am beginning to relinquish daily operations to Kerri and the management team and focus on the company strategy for menu development, wine events and staff training as well as facilities and design elements as needed by the ever-changing restaurant business.

Kerri: I oversee the managers running day to day operations, in addition to managing HR & Accounting/Finance functions, along with marketing strategy & facilities management.

What are some of the perks of working with family? Any not-so-nice things?
Working in a family business either works well, or not at all. There doesn’t seem to be much middle ground. We are fortunate that we get along so well both inside and outside of the business because we have clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Both of us are even tempered, patient and listen well. There are no prima donnas here.

Do you have any suggestions for Mother's Day brunch at Lombardi's?
Our seafood is fresh and local which makes for a very flavorful dish; one of the features for Mother’s Day is a Seafood Pasta just like you would find in Italy – Scallops, Argentina Prawns, Mussels, Salmon, Clams, artichokes, Kalamata olives, zucchini, and spicy tomato broth and Casio de Roma cheese. Of course, what could be better than a nice steak featuring WA raise beef – all natural, tender and juicy. The seasonal dessert is one that everyone asks for – Limoncello Tiramisu! It is only available during the spring season.

Any fun facts about you or your business?
Angelica Della Morte, our most popular Bruschetta spread, means “angel of death” in Italian. The folklore is that there’s enough garlic in this dish to keep away the angel of death!

Thanks to all the businesses that answered our questions, you guys are the bees knees.

If you're really stumped on what to get your mom for Mother's Day, get a last minute gift crafted by Everett artisans at the Everett Maker's Market this Saturday at 12 PM at the Anchor Pub.

Of course the best gift to give any mom is quality time, so why don't you treat her to a Mother's Day brunch at Lombardi's on Sunday. Reserve a table soon, space is running out. Mimosas for everyone!