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NAZANINE'S DAY
Nazanine rises early. A local baker, she does much
of her work before the rest of the city wakes up.
She enjoys her time alone, though – on her short
walk to the bakery she often runs into some early
joggers or dog-walkers, who she’ll later see in
her store. Her walk gives her time to reflect.
Nazanine moved to Portland a few years ago from
her home in New York, and found just what she was
looking for: a real community that is supportive
of small businesses and entrepreneurs. She received
assistance from both the City government and her
customers to make her dream – her very own Persian-inspired
bakery – a reality.
Jacob is already at the store when Nazanine arrives,
and she is grateful once again that she’s been able
to find so many good employees who also live in
the neighborhood. Localism is a theme running throughout
her business. With new networks of suppliers and
processors, she is able to source most of her flour,
sugar, eggs and other ingredients from area farmers,
and she works with other businesses in nearby neighborhoods
to take care of her bookkeeping, printing and other
needs.
After the lunchtime rush, she heads over to a business
association meeting, where she agrees once again
to organize the annual art festival. She loves how
active the businesses are in Portland’s “neighborhood
villages,” and with the influx of corporate headquarters
downtown that support the arts, fundraising for
these events has become even easier.
Nazanine heads off to shop and make some calls
to suppliers before walking home again, as another
day in the neighborhood comes to a close.
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