Blog

While Moving to Bend can help you plan on relocating and learning more about why Bend is such a great place to work, we know that serious entrepreneurs are looking for ways to get connected, learn the details, and find great advice about getting started in Bend. Here are the sources you should use ASAP!

1.Bend Chamber of Commerce

The Bend Chamber of Commerce remains a popular starting point for entrepreneurs interested in Bend. The city does an excellent job of keeping the site updated to help out local ventures and provide important economic and funding news. Membership is also a great way to make local connections and find out about local meetings where you can learn much more. Training and education programs are also available through this site.

2.EDCO

EDCO, or Economic Development for Central Oregon, is another incredible portal for those planning to set up a venture in Bend. The organization’s goal is to help incubate promising businesses in Central Oregon, and it’s packed with information about financing, communities, and advice from experts for ventures in all stages of opening a business. There are targeted sections for tech and outdoor industries, two specialties of EDCO, but any business can benefit from checking out the general advice the site has to offer and what upcoming events may be useful.

3.SCORE of Central Oregon

SCORE is an organization designed to bring business leaders together for the specific purpose of helping entrepreneurs and new businesses succeed. The Central Oregon chapter is an excellent resource for those making plans.

SCORE has three primary services. It offers a library of templates and documents you can use to make business plans or proposals and meet government requirements. SCORE also holds workshops that teach topics meant for small business owners (currently somewhat disrupted because of COVID-19, but with consultations still available). Finally, the site lets you arrange for mentoring from Central Oregon leaders who are willing to provide private advice on starting a company in Bend.

4.COCC Small Business Development Center

Central Oregon Community College has a Small Business Development Center that’s entirely focused on helping new ventures start or grow after they launch. There are many hands-on opportunities to learn through workshops, valuable advice, management training and much more. While some services and classes cost money, others are available for free. Moving to Bend also notes that the Center also recently launched a financial initiative designed to help struggling entrepreneurs in Central Oregon get emergency loans. And yes, their services remain open in the era of coronavirus.

5.Opportunity Knocks

Opportunity Knocks is a peer-to-peer service that’s designed to link owners and entrepreneurs with others who have been in the industry longer and have valuable experience to share. It’s a good option for entrepreneurs who need to tackle very specific challenges in their unique industry and would like some advice from others who have been in the same situations.

6.Bonus suggestion: Business Xpress

This is Oregon’s one-stop webpage for business owners learning everything they need to know about doing business in the state. It includes all the links you need for registration, compliance, aid programs, trade shows, training options, employee materials, and much more.

Bend is packed with entrepreneurs and some very helpful incubators for a variety of businesses, so it’s no surprise that the city is the source of many popular products with brands rising in fame (in addition to the already famous beer, of course). If you’re looking for something to take home with you as you start the process to relocate to Bend, give to a friend while moving to Bend, or just try out, these are our top picks!

1. Hydro Flask

Few Bend product companies grew quite as fast or became quite as popular in the 2010s than Hydro Flask. The company produces extra-durable insulated canisters, flasks, and bottles that are made for the roughest outdoor use while still keeping your drink warm or cool throughout the adventure. The rugged design is backed by a double wall “TempShield” vacuum insulation. Their products have a variety of designs for different types of beverages or traveling (including food options). The sheer number of imitators that have arisen in recent years is a testament to their success, but there’s only one Hydro Flask.

2. Ruffwear

No place is better suited for a company that wants to make sure your dog is ready to adventure with you – so it’s no surprise Ruffwear found success in Bend. These are far cries from the sweaters or kerchiefs that other dog owners may use: Ruffwear offers durable, outdoor-ready coats, boots, harnesses, packs, flotation devices, collapsible bowls, and much more to ensure your furry friend can join you no matter what you’re doing (nor how much they like to gnaw on things).

3. Cairn

Subscription boxes have been immensely popular for the past several years, but no one quite does what Cairn does. Headquartered in Bend, the company offers monthly or quarterly boxes specifically filled with outdoor items to test out and enjoy. That includes hammocks, trail snacks, handwarmers, bug spray, stuff packs, gel insoles, lip balm, flashlights, hoodies…pretty much anything you may need to enjoy the outdoors, no matter what you like.

4. Picky Bars

Energy bars can be a tough sell, but Picky Bars hit on a brilliant formula. Their bars are surprisingly delicious, gluten-free, avoid both soy and dairy, and include non-GMO ingredients like oats, chia seeds, goji berries, matcha green tea, ginger, and many other combinations. They’re designed for athletes, but perfect for anyone who wants a snack or wants to stay on a diet without enduring bland or fatty food bars.

5. DANI Naturals

Started by in the 1990s, DANI Naturals focuses on using hands-on techniques and natural ingredients for a variety of cosmetics and health products. Today, their line stretches from skincare to body wash, bath bombs, candles, diffusers, and lots more. Each product is made with organic ingredients, 100% vegetable oil bases, and 100% soy-derived products where possible. It’s a great option for people looking for healthy, paraben-free lotions and soaps, those shopping for vegan friends, or people looking for a new way to pamper themselves.

6. Crater Lake Distillery

If you’d prefer to bring home something a bit (or a lot) more alcoholic, Crater Lake Distillery is one of the most popular in Central Oregon. They offer whiskeys, ryes, gins and vodkas in traditional styles made with Cascade water and carefully purified, but they also have plenty of inventive, tasty variations like sweet ginger vodka, northwest berry, hatch green chili, and hazelnut espresso spirits.

 

It all began in 1988 when I came to this small town for college. I loved central Oregon’s weather and soon met my wife of now 29 years in this beautiful town. Eventually, we moved back to Beaverton and I began working for a company where I would continue to work for them the next 17 years. All while my wife and I were raising two growing boys and both working. It was then when I was feeling the constant stress of being away from my family that I began observing one of our painting contractors who appeared to have a good balance between life and work. I reached out to the contractor and he agreed to mentor me and still does to this day. It quickly became clear to my family that Bend would be a natural fit as my wife is 5th generation bendite. After moving to Bend, my first job was to paint a mile-long fence. That one fence was the start of my business. A business that has developed and expanded beyond anything we could have ever imagined.

Townhouse does things differently than your average competitive painting company. We let the quality of our work speak for itself. Instead of expensive advertising, catchy brochures our business is built on mostly referrals and word of mouth. Building positive and trusting relationships with our customers is the first step to a job well done. One of our best qualities is how much we value our community. We love to be involved with other local businesses and find ways to support our community.

Job sites are typically very family-oriented. This means safety is most important to us because we know that small children, animals, and adults are constantly moving through the site. We always make sure that we have a safe environment for not only our workers but the families we are working with and once we start a project we do not stop until it is completed and that you are satisfied with the outcome. Making sure we provide notice and coordinate schedules with onsite staff is all in a day’s work.

Inadequate funding? Let us help you devise a strategy to keep your investment’s exterior maintained with good curb appeal and at a budget you can afford with a phased approach.

Communicating and working with our customers to ensure that we are doing all we can for them while sticking to a budget that fits their interests and needs is important for us. Owner, Matt Carey brings 15 years of experience in property and asset management. This expertise allows customers to trust that their expectations will be exceeded and that ensuring the best possible product within a realistic budget is met.

You can contact Matt at Townhouse Painters Bend at (541) 410-1932.

The Story of D.E. Rink Construction – Building Central Oregon since 1979

Custom homes and remodels in Central Oregon are most of the 2000 projects that D.E. Rink Construction is very proud of.  Many of the commercial projects on our resume include restaurants, retail buildings, and numerous tenant improvements.  The company built a reputation for quality building, a clean job site, honesty, and timely completion.  For 15 years DE Rink Construction worked in the medical world remodeling all of the St. Charles Hospital campus’, Bend Memorial Clinic, and many private physician and dental offices.   

D.E. Rink Construction joined Central Oregon Builders Association in 1984.  Dave served as president in 1989 and 1999. Throughout the years, it has been a pleasure to attend meetings, serve on the board, attend national conventions and contribute to many volunteer projects.  They have been honored with numerous COBA awards over the years.

D.E. Rink Construction has been a member of the Bend Chamber of Commerce since 1987. Liz participated in Leadership Bend and was a Chamber Ambassador for 5 years. Both Liz and Dave have contributed to many non-profit organizations in our community.  They support BendFilm, Deschutes Historical Museum, Arts and Culture Alliance, Tower Theatre, Boneyard Cycling Team and other exciting pillars of the community.

Through the years, D.E. Rink Construction has been blessed with some talented and dependable employees.  Brianna Janssen, daughter, was the right-hand office manager and decorator for over 10 years.  Throughout their lives, their son and daughter have worked with the business in different ways.

After building in Central Oregon for over 40 years, D.E. Rink Construction continues to build and improve our community.  Bend is welcoming, historical, vibrant, and progressive.  

Please check out our website at www.derink.com to see beautiful photos of homes and projects.  Call us to chat about your ideas and a free consultation (541) 388-0719.