Celebrating National Small Business Week May 4-10, 2025
In conjunction with the U.S. Small Business Administration, MasonEDC is proud to celebrate National Small Business Week by shining a light on the incredible small businesses that call Mason County home. Entrepreneurs and small business owners are truly the backbone of our local economy, and this week, we’re taking the time to officially recognize their hard work, dedication, and the vital contributions they make to our community’s quality of life.
This celebration ties directly into our mission: to expand and diversify the economy throughout Mason County by retaining and recruiting jobs, growing sustainable industry clusters, and promoting global competitiveness. Supporting small businesses is at the heart of that mission—and we’re excited to share their stories all week long.
Mason County, WA – May 9, 2025 - In Mason County, access to healthcare isn’t always about distance—it’s about transportation. While the county does have a hospital and clinics, many residents live in extremely rural areas with no reliable way to get to and from their appointments. That’s where The Patty Wagon steps in.
Founded in 2012 by Patty Perry, The Patty Wagon is more than a ride service—it’s a lifeline for people needing medical transportation. Whether it’s dialysis in Lacey, behavioral health appointments, or simply getting back home after years away, Patty and her team show up. “I didn’t realize how much I loved helping people until I started driving,” she said, reflecting on her early days with Mason Transit. “But I saw that the need was bigger than what transit could cover.”
From that realization, a business was born. Today, The Patty Wagon operates as a family-run company. Patty drives. Her daughter drives while also handling the books. Her son is both a driver and a mechanic. And all three share a commitment to one thing: care. “We don’t just drive people,” she said. “We listen. We treat people like family.”
Most rides are medically focused—cancer treatment, dialysis, recovery support, or Medicaid transport—but the stories behind those rides are anything but routine. “We had a woman who hadn’t seen her family in five years. My son drove her to Gig Harbor for Christmas. She cried. She said, ‘Thank you—I didn’t think I’d ever get to go home again.’”
During the height of COVID, daily rides dropped from 80 to just 16. Today, the service averages 35 rides a day and is expanding again to meet growing demand. Recently, they purchased two new wheelchair-accessible vans to keep up, covering areas beyond Mason County—including Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Lewis, and Cowlitz counties.
The Patty Wagon also partners with programs like Northwest Resources and the Mason County Health Department’s Road to Recovery initiative. That collaboration, funded by a grant developed by Abe Gardner and Jamie Ellertsen, helps people in recovery get to court dates, treatment programs, and social services. “We’re not just helping people get well—we’re helping them stay well,” Patty said.
But running a small business like this isn’t without its heartbreak. One of the hardest parts, Patty shared, is losing clients—many of whom feel like friends and family. “You spend time with someone every week, sometimes every day, and then they’re just gone. It’s a big loss for all of us,” she said.
Patty, who was born and raised in Shelton, sees her work as deeply rooted in community. “These people I’m helping—they’re my neighbors, my friends, people I grew up with. This isn’t just a job to us.”
And none of it would be possible without the team. “I couldn’t do this alone,” she said. “It truly takes all of us. The business is what it is today because of their hard work, their compassion, and their determination. I’m so proud of this team.” Patty is also grateful for the employees and community that have supported her through the years. Currently, she has seventeen employees.
Named the Shelton Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 Business of the Year, The Patty Wagon continues to prove that caring, consistency, and community connection can take you far.
If The Patty Wagon were a person, how would you describe them?
“Happy, caring, always on time, and just a little bit cheery,” Patty said with a smile.
Go-to road trip snack?
“Coffee. Always coffee.”
As we celebrate National Small Business Week, The Patty Wagon reminds us that small businesses often carry the biggest loads—quietly, consistently, and with heart.
When Kris Klusman and his wife Terri—owners of John L. Scott Real Estate in Belfair and Shelton—noticed their office space wasn’t being used the same way anymore, they saw an opportunity. Instead of desks sitting idle, what if the space could be reimagined into something more flexible, collaborative, and community-focused?
That idea became The Heron, a new shared workspace located at 23861 WA-3 in Belfair. The space officially soft launched on March 1 and offers professionals a clean, quiet environment with high-speed fiber optic internet and plenty of parking. Designed with tenants like app developers, engineers, insurance agents, financial advisors, and day traders in mind, The Heron offers a suite of amenities including private offices, sound booths, conference rooms, and community hot desk workstations. The lounge area provides a relaxed atmosphere for networking and informal meetings, while the private meeting rooms and soundproof booths ensure confidentiality and focus. Business hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but monthly members enjoy 24/7 access to the facility.
Membership options are flexible to suit a variety of work styles. Full-time monthly memberships include unlimited access, meeting room use, high-speed Wi-Fi, exclusive discounts, and unlimited free coffee. Part-time options are also available, as well as non-member and day-use access for those seeking a professional space on an as-needed basis. Booking and membership management are handled online at theheronbelfair.com.
“The heron felt like the perfect name,” Kris shared. “It’s nostalgic, rooted in the region, and the bird itself symbolizes our dream—to provide a place where businesses can launch, grow, and eventually take off. Like an incubator.”
While coworking spaces are more commonly found in urban areas, The Heron brings this innovative model to a rural community—giving local professionals an alternative to working from home or meeting in coffee shops. After-hours rentals for networking events or small gatherings are also part of the plan, helping to foster deeper community connections.
But like many rural ventures, marketing remains a challenge. “We rely on word of mouth and social media. That’s really it,” Kris explained. Building awareness and visibility takes time—but the early response has already been encouraging.
For Kris, the most rewarding part has been seeing the community respond. “My wife grew up here. Our kids attended school here. I’ve coached track and football at North Mason, and now football at Hawkins. Watching people get excited about your vision—and seeing them want to be a part of it—is what makes it all worth it.”
Looking ahead, Kris hopes The Heron will grow into a full-fledged hub for small businesses and remote professionals, with a thriving member community and possibly even a second location. “People don’t always realize they can do business better—until they see a space like this.”
This National Small Business Week, we’re proud to spotlight The Heron—a space built on local roots, forward-thinking, and the belief that big ideas can thrive anywhere. For more information or to explore membership options, visit theheronbelfair.com.
One very late night, owner and brewer Tim Masbruch sat straight up out of a dead sleep with the name “Bent Bine” in mind. That would soon become the name of the iconic brewery that so many Belfair residents know and love. Since bines are what hops grow on, it only seemed fitting. Tim is a fan of geometric shapes, which is reflected in the unique designs featured in his logo.
After brewing at home for some time, Tim decided to look for a brick-and-mortar location to expand his operations. It was his brother who discovered the empty building they now call home. Initially, they didn’t plan to lease the entire space—but they did anyway, and it turned out to be a smart move. As their popularity grew, so did their need for more space.
Before becoming a small business owner, Tim ran a construction company with his son, specializing in pools and greenhouses. Today, they still do occasional pool work, but Tim’s main focus is Bent Bine Brewery.
When compared with other breweries in the area, Bent Bine stands out—not only for its variety, but for the experience and knowledge Tim brings to the craft. He’s always staying ahead of the curve, reading brewing books and articles in his spare time. While many breweries offer only a few styles, Bent Bine boasts a wide variety—from pilsners to porters to IPAs and everything in between. Tim truly has a brew for everyone.
Some of his biggest accomplishments to date include winning the North Mason Chamber’s Business of the Year award this year, and earning multiple Business of the Year awards in the past, and receiving both bronze and silver medals for his porter.
Like many businesses, Bent Bine faced challenges during COVID. But perhaps the biggest learning curve was transitioning from construction to an entirely different industry. Tim had to learn how to work with a variety of customers and personalities—something that wasn’t always easy. He now strives to teach each of his employees the full brewing process so they can better serve the customers. Because at Bent Bine, it’s more than just a taproom—it’s an experience.
Every year, Bent Bine participates in local festivals like the Allyn Community Association’s Allyn Days Festival and has even added a Fourth of July event at the Allyn Waterfront Park. Coming up on September 27th, Bent Bine will host its own Oktoberfest in collaboration with the North Mason Chamber and the Allyn Community Association.
Right now, Bent Bine is a one-man show, with Tim handling all sales and distribution to surrounding businesses. He also relies heavely on his wife Colleen to keep the taproom as fresh as his beer and hopes to rebuild his team to pre-pandemic levels, but that will take time. In the meantime, Tim encourages folks: if you like the businesses in your community—support them. “Everything comes back around,” he says. When you spend money locally, it stays in the local economy.
His advice for anyone looking to start a small business in a small town? Join the local chamber. Meeting other business owners creates a supportive network that understands the trials and triumphs of small business ownership. It takes time, but by being active in the community—by giving as much as you receive—you eventually become a beloved staple.
Just for fun, we asked Tim what his personal favorite brew is. He proudly shared it’s the Juicy Bine IPA. Why? Because Tim loves his IPAs. He’s had the opportunity to refine the recipe over time, and customers love it too. His second favorite is the Amber, but a surprising customer favorite has been the Weiss beer—it became so popular they ran out, and people were not happy about it!
One thing many don’t know about Tim: he grew up in Wisconsin with a single mom. Times were tough, and that’s where his strong work ethic and self-motivation come from. He made it happen.
It’s so important to support businesses like Tim’s—they’re the backbones of our communities. Bent Bine’s motto says it all:
“Hop for the better, hope for the bitter”—because “It’s all about the beer.”
Check back throughout the week to hear other small business spotlights
*Last update was made May 9, 2025 at 11:00 am.
