Diana Naramore, Sip and Ship’s Owner and Chief Visionary Officer first arrived in Seattle back in 2001. Her eldest of three boys was a curious one year old and the ideas she and her husband Steve had for a unique small business would soon begin to evolve into what would become Sip and Ship, which we all know and love today.
Diana’s passion to become an entrepreneur was fueled by a genuine desire to put her customer service background to good use. But more importantly, to create a business that would create a sense of belonging and never compromise the values of family and community.
“Growing up, I moved around a lot and didn’t have a hometown or a place to call home - a place that gave me a sense of identity, family roots or reliable connections with others. After decades of constant moving and upheaval, the idea of finding a home was a deep longing inside of me to create a different way of life for myself. Sip and Ship is one of my happy places. It's a place that provides safety, stability and care, fosters life-long connections and relationships and provides me with a deep sense of self, purpose and belonging. A warmth that I hope extends to my team and customers. Where people are welcomed as strangers and often leave as life-long customers and friends.” - Diana
Small businesses become even more of a touch stone within our cities and neighborhoods, especially critical in this digital age. Not only do they provide a place to genuinely connect in person, employ a workforce, and support the local economy, but they see us, serve us and enrich our families and communities by providing each of us with a greater sense of belonging.
”At Sip and Ship, community isn’t something we sell, it’s a feeling,” says Diana.
During this week’s Coffee and Conversation event, a incredible lineup of guest speakers are unpacking what it means to be vulnerable with yourself, and varying business dynamics and relationships. Through sharing their experiences, we hope to break down barriers, normalize creating safe and healthy boundaries, and work towards achieving greater wellness in our workplaces together.
Bring a tissue box to listen and learn from established entrepreneurs and women in business who are ready to get vulnerable and share valuable insights from relatable hardships. Walk away feeling refreshed, caffeinated, and ready to frame and build on your own leadership style, along with heaps of loving support for you to achieve sustainability within your organization. We can’t wait to see you! Register here.
P.S. Summer is quickly approaching and we’ve been enjoying days drenched in sunshine. Remember that coffee is always a good idea at Sip and Ship, your favorite local cafe filled with friendly staff, scratch-made treats, and gestures of kindness and hospitality for any occasion. Swap your Starbucks for a specialty latte, knowing that your support means the world to small businesses like us.
Written in collaboration by Diana Naramore and Megan Pavek