Business owners from Portland and beyond gathered on Wednesday, January 22, to share insights, make connections, and collaborate at the latest Accelerate Event hosted by What Now Media Group in East Portland.
The free event at Evasion Brewing hosted more than 30 representatives from businesses featured on What Now Portland, including restaurants and retail concepts and industry-leading experts from What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners. Attendees mingled while enjoying bites and beverages inside, staying warm on a cold January evening.
Evasion Brewing was happy to host What Now Media Group’s latest Accelerate event at its second location, which opened last summer as the company’s first taproom at 1030 SE Belmont Street, Suite 9. The company’s original location, a brewery, is located at 4230 Northeast Riverside Drive in McMinnville. Both locations feature Evasion Brewing’s selection of core beers, which includes Hophoria IPA (6.1%), Blonde Ale (4.8% ), and Tantamount Stout (6.0%).
No matter what you choose, you can bet it will be delicious. All their beers are made with gluten-free grains, which means they are naturally gluten-free. When oats are used, they are certified gluten-free and processed in a dedicated gluten-free facility. If the beer isn’t good enough, both locations feature a welcoming environment, which is great for hosting an event like this.
Throughout a presentation led by What Now Media Group Founder and CEO Caleb Spivak, local entrepreneurs and business representatives shared their stories, gave updates on their progress, and reflected on what they’ve learned through opening a brick-and-mortar in Portland. Some key takeaways: You’ll get nowhere without passion; knowing how to pivot effectively is essential, especially after an emergency, and connecting with others in the community can be crucial.
Several business owners and local franchisees attended the recent Accelerate event, which Rebecca Gordon, the co-owner of Evasion Brewing, hosted. Trent and Dale Lewis of ABV Public House were in attendance so they could learn more about What Now Media Group and the connection that it brings.
While this was the first time some have heard about What Now Media Group, others are well-versed, such as Jennifer Nickolaus and Caitlin Heringer, the business owners behind Blasphemy Barbeque. Last month, What Now reported that the liquor license was accepted on December 3. The duo hopes to open the restaurant in Laurelhurst at 4400 NE Glisan Street. At one point, the co-owners shared their progress with the group, hoping to create more buzz within the community.
Other business owners who attended the Accelerate event were Tommy (Toan) Ly and An Tien Nguyen. They hope to introduce a new concept called Geekeasy Cafe downtown at 310 NW Davis Street, with a grand opening planned for March 22. The business owners also shared their progress and struggles regarding opening a new restaurant, leaving room for others to offer assistance.
While business owners made up the majority of the attendees, the event also featured a handful of industry-leading experts in What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners, such as Bill Evans, Sean Tobin, and Phil Thorn, who represented Prudential Overall Supply: Linen Supply, an industry leader in reusable image work apparel and related textiles. The team offered their advice regarding enhancing customers’ image through uniforms.
Other Preferred Partners in attendance were Jim Seibert and Nic Scott of SpotOn: POS Solutions to discuss the pros and cons of having the right POS system at a restaurant.
This led CEO Caleb Spivak to discuss critical business points, such as having an exit plan and efficiently managing operations after expanding to multiple locations. After Caleb and the guests shared their tips, knowledge, and concerns, everyone quickly grew interested in learning more about their businesses and how they can help one another.
What Now Media Group shares restaurant opening news in 31 cities across the U.S., breaking news and providing timely insight into yet-to-open brick-and-mortar businesses. The platform shares news of thousands of openings across all 31 cities annually.
The industry-leading experts in What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners help new businesses open and existing businesses grow.
Stay tuned for future Accelerate events from What Now Media Group in 2025. For more details, see the Accelerate page here.
