What a difference a year makes [The Olympian (Olympia, Wash.)]

Rolf Boone, The Olympian (Olympia, Wash.)

By Rolf Boone, The Olympian (Olympia, Wash.)
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

June 30--The Olympian Sunday business page has entered its second year after its successful relaunch in May 2012. We have profiled a business or business owner every week since then, and also have made it a rule to check in every six months with some of those we have profiled to see how things are progressing.

We have profiled more than 20 businesses in the past six months, including Airport Golf & Batting Center in Tumwater, the Lacey State Farm office run by Kevin Hayward, eFairies.com in Tumwater, Phoebe's Pastry Cafe in west Olympia and CommitChange in Olympia.

Here's what's new at these businesses:

Airport Golf & Batting Center: Owner Jeff Olive continues to add to his business near Olympia Regional Airport. After another golf retailer closed in the area, Olive increased his own inventory of golf supplies. He also underwent some training so that he could offer repair services to his customers. One room at his business now is dedicated to various repairs, including bending, fitting and the regripping of golf clubs. Olive also secured a liquor license for the business. Some days are better than others, he said about customer foot traffic, but "so far I have been blessed."

EFairies.com: Owner and Fairy Godmother Shirley Ritter said she has gained a whole new audience in South Sound, many of whom had no idea the business was based in Tumwater. Ritter sells all things fairy -- figurines or fairy-themed items -- online to customers around the world. More customers, too, are visiting her storefront on Custer Way, she said. Ritter also recently added two more people to her staff.

State Farm, Kevin Hayward: Hayward, who runs a State Farm office in Lacey near the Fred Meyer store on Sleater-Kinney Road, said business is good. His staff has grown to five, and as he gains more experience as a business owner, he has learned to more effectively manage his staff as well as get a better understanding of the ebb and flow of business. He also has launched a networking group called "the xchange," where young professionals can gather and share information, ideas and brainstorm. An upcoming trend in the insurance business is usage-based insurance, such as a model that zeroes in how people drive and matches the premium price accordingly, he said.

Phoebe's Pastry Cafe: The west Olympia cafe run by Phoebe Martinson said the business recently celebrated its six-month anniversary on June 19. In addition to the milestone, business is booming, particularly for custom-ordered cakes, she said. The cafe recently produced cakes for nine high school graduations. Martinson also is set to launch an effort focused on picnics, making ready-to-go meals for customers to take to the beach or out on their boat, she said.

CommitChange: The Olympia-based Internet startup, which connects donors with their favorite nonprofit, likely has made the biggest jump of all: Its founders are set to take part in a Boost VC accelerator program in Silicon Valley, spending three months with other entrepreneurs and business executive/venture capitalist mentors. The founders will fine-tune their business over the next three months, then pitch their business in hopes of securing an investment from venture capitalists, co-founder Roderick Campbell said from San Mateo, Calif.

1) CommitChange

Location: 711 Capitol Way, Olympia

Online: commitchange.com

2) EFairies.com

Location: 502 Custer Way SE, Suite A, Tumwater

Online: efairies.com

3) Airport Golf & Batting Center

Location: 8080 Center St. SW, Tumwater

Online: airportgolfcenter.com

4) Phoebe's Pastry Cafe

Location: 1800 Cooper Point Road SW, Olympia, the address for the West Hills Office Park. The cafe is in Building 13.

Online: facebook.com/PhoebesPastryCafe