9-21-17 There is a new business trend on South Whidbey: More young people are becoming business owners and managers

I have heard several people comment that there are a lot more old faces than young faces on South Whidbey.

In writing my Business Spotlight Stories in the last couple of months I have uncovered what may be a new trend: Young people starting or managing businesses.  Three of the last seven stories I have written tell about these new entrepreneurs:

• Keegan Harshman brings a full service music store back to South Whidbey

• Joe Gunn continues a family legacy as the new owner of Whidbey Pies and Whidbey Pies Cafe
  

• Mutiny Bay Distillery, a family business making unique whiskey beverages

All of these business people are between 25 and 31 years of age, and all are people who have lived on Whidbey previously and have made a choice to return here, rather than live in a major city.

Just walking around businesses in Clinton and Langley, I also see younger men and women who are running businesses and enjoy living in this community.

I recently saw an article in the local newspaper that there has also been an uptick in babies being born here.

It seems like there is a significant business trend here: Choosing to have a business in a community where you want to live and raise a family.