IBA, as the premier business brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest, is firmly established as a respected professional service firm in the legal, accounting, banking, mergers & acquisitions, real estate, and financial planning communities. Periodically, we will post guest blogs from professionals with knowledge to share for the good of owners of privately held companies & family-owned businesses. The following blog article has been provided by Manny Seymour.
Why Washington and Oregon Are Built for Living and Growing a Business
You don’t move to the Pacific Northwest for glitz. You move for tall trees and taller ambitions. Washington and Oregon have a rhythm all their own, one that rewards people who want their businesses to breathe the same air as their lives. Here, it’s not about burnout. It’s about building something lasting, surrounded by people who get it. That rare mix of creative spirit and practical grit? It’s baked into the soil.
Weather That Works With You
You can’t separate lifestyle from livelihood, not here. The temperate climate and natural beauty of Washington and Oregon make it easy to stay sane while building something from the ground up. Mild summers, misty winters, and easy access to lakes, forests, and mountains create a built-in wellness plan that doesn’t cost a monthly fee. You can finish a client call, then hit the trail with your dog or paddleboard across a still bay. It isn’t a fantasy, it’s Tuesday. That clarity of mind feeds decision-making and innovation in a way spreadsheets can’t touch.
The Digital Backbone Is Already Here
If your business even brushes up against tech, you’re going to want to keep your eyes on Seattle and Portland. The thriving tech industry in Seattle has been pulling talent and dollars for decades, and that momentum has only grown. These cities aren’t just home to giants, they’re incubators for startups with teeth. Tech infrastructure is strong, talent is educated and abundant, and the culture welcomes experimentation. You’re not just tolerated for thinking differently, you’re rewarded. Plus, the time zone works wonders if you’re doing cross-coastal business. West Coast mornings, East Coast afternoons—it just makes sense.
The Money Finds You
You don’t need to be flush with capital to get started here, but it doesn’t hurt. Oregon in particular has gone out of its way to offer venture capital opportunities in Oregon through structured state initiatives and private partnerships. There’s funding for clean tech, food innovation, and manufacturing, just to name a few. The angel network is dense enough to be functional without being overwhelming. And there’s less red tape and fewer gatekeepers than you’d find in Silicon Valley or New York. If you’ve got a clear pitch and a solid plan, there’s someone out here who’ll take your meeting—and probably in a Patagonia vest.
The Earth Cares and So Do You
Sustainability isn’t some corporate tagline out here, it’s the standard. From architecture to agriculture, this region knows how to think green. Washington businesses, in particular, benefit from a commitment to sustainability and green initiatives that reflects in both local policies and consumer expectations. You can run a company that doesn’t just profit but gives back—to the environment, to the community, to the people you employ. It might cost a little more upfront, but your brand story and customer loyalty will carry weight. In a climate-conscious market, that’s not just ethical, it’s strategic.
Degrees That Don’t Derail Your Grind
Running a business while upgrading your skill set used to mean sacrificing one or the other. Not anymore. If you’re looking to sharpen your accounting, communications, or management instincts, consider this: an online business degree from a reputable program. It opens doors without slamming others shut. Whether you’re scaling your side hustle or overseeing a team, the coursework can ground you in practices that make your operation smoother and smarter. And the online format? It makes it possible to juggle both your bottom line and your deadlines without losing sleep or sanity.
Brains on Your Block
You’d be surprised how much a smart neighbor can do for your hustle. Oregon’s university system, for example, pumps out graduates with sharp minds and curious instincts. Continued learning thanks to business programs keeps the talent pool stocked with hungry thinkers and doers. That’s good for your hiring pipeline, sure, but also for the kind of energetic ecosystem that sparks ideas at coffee shops and brewery patios. And because education is tied so tightly to local industry, there’s a constant feedback loop between what’s taught and what’s needed.
There’s Room for Your Life, Too
Let’s not pretend business is everything. A big reason people stay here—start families, start hobbies, start over—is that there’s more to do than work. You can’t scroll LinkedIn when you’re waist-deep in a mountain lake or tasting your way through a vineyard. That balanced lifestyle in the Pacific Northwest is more than a marketing phrase. It’s quiet evenings without traffic noise, Sunday markets with real farmers, neighborhoods that feel like something from before the internet. And when your life feels whole, your work gets better. That’s the loop you want to live in.
People always talk about finding the “right fit” for a business. That usually means taxes or rent. But the right fit is bigger than that. Washington and Oregon offer something rarer: a place where business can thrive without devouring your life. You’ll grow here, not just as a founder or a worker, but as a person with space to breathe, build, and be. If you’re looking for a sign, maybe it’s time you headed to the Pacific Northwest.
If you have questions relating to the content of this article, Manny Seymour would welcome the opportunity to talk with you. Mr. Seymour can be reached at manny.seymour@allisdwell.com.
IBA, the Pacific Northwest’s premier business brokerage firm since 1975, is available as an information resource to the media, business brokerage, mergers & acquisitions, real estate, accounting, legal, and financial planning communities on subjects relevant to the purchase & sale of privately held companies and family-owned businesses. IBA is recognized as one of the best business brokerage firms in the nation based on its long track record of successfully negotiating “win-win” business sale transactions in environments of full disclosure employing “best practices”.