We recently connected with Nell Bostwick and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Nell thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

I knew that I wanted to name the business something that meant community, since the concept is all about supporting the community and giving back. So one day i was walking my dogs, and the idea of this play on words came to me. So “Come” together in “Unity” just felt right. The idea of creating gear that is more neighborhood in focus, supporting local artist, many right from our back yard …it just seemed to fit.

Nell , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Well, My background is 25 years in corporate retail most recently a creative director, and previously as a direct of textiles, I have had much experience in building brands, even from the concept to stability for other big companies but never for myself. So I guess I feel like there was a niche that needed to be filled in my community and I wanted to fill that. The shop isn’t a standard shop, it feels like a causal art gallery, but never stuffy or takes it self to serious. So I felt that building this unique concept of community based store, for the community, by the community to give back to the community was right… so that is where the name came from.
ComeUnityPDX is a purpose-driven business that supports the Portland community through its unique gift shop, art gallery, and clothing store. Featuring in-house designed hoodies, tees, and headwear, ComeUnityPDX is a one-stop shop for unique gifts and Portland-inspired apparel. ComeUnityPDX also gives back locally with every sale, making it a great place to shop and support the community.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I think the whole birth of ComeUnityPDX is a story of resilience, I started this business in 2020, I had spent the whole year prior working out the concept and details. I was lucky to not have signed a huge lease in spring of 2020 just prior to covid shut down. 2019/2020 was a huge year of growth and change, coming out of a layoff after 17year with a company. I had spent a lot of time planning what I thought was the right next step for me and my community and I wasn’t going to let this horrible pandemic stop me. I opened my shop in dec 2020 and just knew if I could survive the next 6 months, I could survive anything…. So three years later, the economy is still hard, inflation is rough, and small business are struggling. but if I’m still growing even a tiny bit, thats a win. I’m in for the long game.

Small business ownership, especially solo is hard, so hard especially when you come from years of having teams of people, but I wouldn’t trade this for anything ! My customer are my team, we are fighting through this together. All I need is one customer a day to come in and say “this is my favorite shop” or “this is the coolest space” or “I love what you’re doing here” and I know I’m in the right spot. I love what it is showing my young girls too. that they can do anything. dream big, fight for what you want !!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I have built a reputation in my market by firstly being true to the brand and by being kind to my community and listening to my customers. Customer service is key to any small business. especially in a small neighborhood like my shop location. Also, It super important to get involved with your community, because word of mouth is huge for business success. If you are true, kind and offer good customer service people want to come back and support you. Make sure that you support your other community business and build a network like a business association that can help buoy you up.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.comeunitypdx.com
• Instagram: @comeunitypdx
• Facebook: comeunitypdx/facebook

Image Credits
photo by Artfilm studios -Andrea Boston nell bostwick