Washington

Traditionally Modern Food

Location: Bothell, Washington
Website: https://traditionallymodernfood.com/
60% of income from Google AdSense

A foodie since childhood, Vidya Srinivasan left a corporate IT job in 2014 to turn her passion for Indian cooking into the blog Traditionally Modern Food. There she features Indian recipes passed down from her mother and adapted for modern tastes. “Some of the recipes I share on the blog have been in the family for generations,” she says. “Passing traditional recipes to the next generation was my motive when I started.” To keep her content free, Vidya uses Google AdSense and Ad Manager to earn income from the blog and her YouTube channel. “Blogging can be resource-intensive because we have to pay for storage, domain, website themes, and plugins,” she says. “Ad revenue helps to cover the cost of managing the site, which is now my full-time job.”

Ads on the blog bring in about 60 percent of Vidya’s income. She incorporates short YouTube videos into each post so viewers can follow along as she cooks Chana Kurma or lemon ginger Rasam. She also posts videos directly to her YouTube channel, which has more than 42,000 subscribers and drives about 12 percent of the traffic to her blog. “Sometimes written recipes work, and sometimes visually seeing the recipe cooked helps for better understanding,” she says. Interest tracking with Google Analytics has helped her grow her traffic by up to 15 percent each year, Vidya says. “I can see which posts get the most engagement, which helps me understand the recipes people are looking for.” She deepens those new relationships with an email newsletter and personal emails, with help from AI-powered Gmail features like Smart Compose and Smart Reply. The tools “make my life so easy,” she says. Now she’s considering how she can use Gemini to fine-tune her content and improve SEO. “The biggest happiness for any food blogger is seeing people trying the recipes and sharing positive comments,” she says. “That’s the best feedback you can get.”

Firecracker Software

Location: Spokane Valley, Washington
Website: https://firecrackersw.com/
Nearly 5 million app installs on Google Play

Jason Stock had put his dream of creating games on hold and was working as a telecom engineer when he bought his first Android phone. “I quickly learned that there’s a low barrier to entry to create games on Android,” he says. “So, I began re-pursuing my passion project.” His first release, a bubble-shooting game, didn’t do well, but then a brush with Words with Friends led him to the world of anagram solvers. His first solving app, Word Breaker, was an overnight success, and Jason founded Firecracker Software in 2011. Today, the company has a team of eight working in Spokane Valley and has hit nearly five million installs of more than 40 apps for mobile gamers on Google Play.

Ninety percent of Firecracker Software’s revenue comes from advertising. Using Google AdMob as a mediation and monetization platform, Firecracker is able to compare ad networks and find the highest-earning impressions, maximizing their income. Meanwhile, Google Analytics and Firebase help them understand app performance to identify bottlenecks and make improvements, and Google’s Crashlytics tool alerts them to glitches in their apps. “We’ve worked with Google for over 10 years,” Jason says, “and we’ve had some really excellent account managers who have helped remove barriers to developing, advertising, or monetizing our apps.” With its latest release, Firecracker takes a swing at a real-world app: CoachView lets coaches see their players’ athletic performance in slow motion and record feedback. And they continue to make strides in the gaming world with more stat-tracking apps and community-driven helper tools. “Word games aren’t going anywhere,” Jason says, “but there’s a lot more opportunity out there.”

BILLY Footwear

Location: Issaquah, Washington
Website: https://billyfootwear.com/
40% of website conversions come from Google traffic

After a severe spinal cord injury limited Billy Price’s mobility, he learned new ways of doing everyday tasks. But one thing remained elusive: finding stylish shoes that he could put on by himself. In 2012, he joined forces with old friend Darin Donaldson to found BILLY Footwear, making adaptive shoes that “smash fashion with function.” The shoes feature a zipper that goes around the side and toe, allowing the upper to completely open and fold over for easy access. Wearers place their foot onto the shoebed and simply pull the zipper closed. Billy emphasizes that these shoes are based on universal design principles: instead of being shoes for people with disabilities, BILLY Footwear’s shoes appeal to and can be worn by everyone, including people with disabilities.

Billy and Darin sold their shoes locally in Seattle before launching their website in 2018. Then they needed to get the word out. “We looked for tools that would empower customers to find what we had to offer. That’s when we started using Google Ads,” Billy says. “Website traffic from Google has increased 25 percent, and 40 percent of website conversions come from Google traffic.” The team uses insights from Google Analytics to keep the website current with trending styles, and to let partner retailers know what’s popular in their areas. BILLY Footwear is now sold online and in stores globally, and they’re hiring new employees to keep up with demand. Billy has also created a motivational speaking program, BILLY Cares, where he educates people on entrepreneurship and overcoming adversity. Years after his injury, Billy finally has his choice of shoes–as do the company’s many satisfied customers. “I never could have imagined my accident would lead to building a business that would add so much value and help so many people in this world,” Billy says.

TomboyX

Location: Seattle, Washington
Website: https://tomboyx.com/
34 employees

Fran Dunaway just wanted a cool button-up shirt. But she felt mainstream brands never had clothes that let people express their gender, sexuality, and physicality on their own terms. So in 2012, Fran and her wife, Naomi Gonzalez, created TomboyX. They shifted their focus from shirts to comfortable underwear, bras, and loungewear, striking the right chord with their customers. “They make people feel good about themselves. For some it’s actually been life-changing. Some of the emails bring you to tears,” says Fran. As TomboyX began defining the gender-neutral clothing landscape, they used Gmail and Calendar to stay coordinated and run the business efficiently. They also created a polished YouTube channel to drive traffic to their website and supplemented their approach with Google Ads campaigns, attracting 11,000 customers a month. “Without digital platforms, there would never have been a TomboyX to begin with,” says Fran.

When COVID-19 disrupted the Seattle retail industry, Fran and Naomi braced for the worst while quickly pivoting to serve their community. They provided a list of resources on their website for those   struggling during the pandemic with issues ranging from mental health to homelessness. They also turned to Google Analytics to listen to the changing needs of their community. “I’ve always obsessively looked at Google Analytics and we are continually learning customer behavior, and then making changes,” says Fran. Google Trends revealed that customers were looking for something familiar and comfortable during this uncertain time and, despite their fears, products began selling out. “Without digital tools I don’t know how we would have been able to survive or be there for our community during the pandemic,” says Naomi. In 2021, they plan to expand their Google Ads usage to continue reaching new customers and spreading their message. Says Fran, “We see TomboyX as a rebel champion sticking up for what’s right because that’s what tomboys do.”

Bramble Berry

Location: Bellingham, Washington
Website: www.brambleberry.com
98 employees

Anne-Marie Faiola began making soap when she was 14 years old — not your average hobby for a teenager — and she greatly enjoyed getting lost in the process. When Anne-Marie went to college, her busy schedule pushed soapmaking to the wayside. After graduating, Anne- Marie worked as a corrections officer at a prison — a job with its fair share of pressure and stress. To cope with it, Anne-Marie returned to soapmaking. As she got back into it, she noticed that although a lot of people made soap, there weren’t a lot of soapmaking supply companies. In 1999, Anne-Marie quit her job, put $15,000 on a credit card, and started Bramble Berry, her own soapmaking supply company. Anne- Marie launched with a basic website and has been growing her business online ever since. “I knew that I needed to reach people at a really high, wide level if I wanted to sell these raw materials to manufacturers of soaps and toiletries,” said Anne-Marie.

As a digital-first company, Bramble Berry was an early user of online marketing. Anne-Marie relies on her blog, “Soap Queen,” her YouTube channel, “Soap Queen TV,” and, starting in 2017, on Google Ads. In its first year using Google Ads, Bramble Berry saw a fantastic return on its investment. “We got over a 500% return on investment with about $2.15 million in revenue this year that we can attribute to Google Search.” Due to the popularity of Anne-Marie’s blog, about half of Bramble Berry’s web traffic comes from organic search. “We have around 100,000 unique page views on the blog every single month,” said Anne-Marie. “That helps create a community by giving people a place to come together, learn, and try the same projects.” Bramble Berry also uses Google Analytics to monitor its display and video campaigns and G Suite to efficiently collaborate with its growing team.

Moving forward, Anne-Marie wants to grow her customer base by focusing on related markets, such as candle-making. Google products will be at the center of that effort, too. “We continue to increase our search spend with Google because it’s been very effective.” Anne-Marie even shares her knowledge of Google tools with her customers to help them succeed. Anne-Marie helps her local community, too, by donating soap and supporting various women’s charities. “Ninety-eight percent of Bramble Berry’s customer base is women, so we like to give back in that way,” she said. Reflecting on her transition from corrections officer to entrepreneur, Anne-Marie said she feels extremely lucky: “I hit the jackpot because I get to do something I’ve loved since I was a kid.”

Oiselle

Location: Seattle, Washington
Website: www.oiselle.com
30 employees

After giving birth to her second child, Sally Bergesen was eager to get back into running. Having been a competitive runner since her early 20s, it was natural to get back into the groove of an athlete’s lifestyle. What she couldn't find, however, were running shorts that weren't poofy and baggy. "The shorts on the market were poor quality, poor fitting, and the prints and colors were dated," Sally recalls. "So, with the naive heart of the entrepreneur, I stepped forward with the idea of doing something new and different." She decided to combine her love for running with her background in brand strategy and design. In 2007, Sally founded Oiselle (French for "female bird"), launching a small apparel collection. "I knew from my own story, and others, that running has the power to change lives. I wanted to create an apparel line that honored that meaning and helped others find the same joy," she says.

In 2011, Sally launched Oiselle's e-commerce website. She uses AdWords, Google's advertising program, and Google My Business to bring customers to the site and their flagship store in Seattle's University Village. “We find that a lot of the acquisition tools available to us tend to do great on our digital channels,” Sally notes. In addition, "Google Analytics is a great tool for us to understand, in real time, how customers are reacting to the designs we put online," she says. "That data is incredibly important to many decisions related to our customer base: enthusiastic runners around the world." Oiselle also creates and posts videos to their YouTube channel to share their brand story. And within the company they use G Suite tools, such as Gmail, Docs, and Sheets, to manage their day-to-day operations.

Oiselle now sells a full line of running gear, accessories, and apparel—designed by and for women athletes who exercise outside, in every climate. They also expanded their business to include a team-based model, with women joining Oiselle to race together in a shared uniform, but perhaps more importantly, to simply connect with each other. To give back to their community and help young girls stay involved in sports, the company founded The Bras for Girls Program, donating sports bras to middle school girls in need. Online marketing has helped build the brand beyond Seattle. "We feel pretty fortunate to ride the rise of e-commerce using digital tools and technology," Sally says. "The web allows us to be connected directly to our community of women athletes in a way that companies 50 years ago couldn’t dream of."

Combat Flip Flops

Location: Bellevue, Washington
Website: www.combatflipflops.com
Combat Flip Flops has been experiencing 450% annual growth

As U.S. Army Rangers with several Afghanistan tours behind them, Matthew Griffin and Donald Lee witnessed firsthand the devastations of war. “We saw that lack of education and employment was the main driver of negative effects in these war-torn areas,” says Matt. “These countries were filled with hard-working, creative people who wanted jobs, not handouts.” Understanding the tremendous good that could arise from opportunities for fair employment, the two veterans along with Matt's brother-in-law Andy launched Combat Flip Flops in 2012. They support textile manufacturers in war-torn countries and use the profits to fund education and demining efforts around the world.

Since their early days as a three-man operation in Matt's garage, Combat Flip Flops has relied on the Internet “to sell directly to consumers, compete with big brands, and ultimately level the playing field,” says Matt. Today, online sales comprise 80 percent of their revenue. AdWords, Google’s advertising program, helps them market their footwear, clothing, and accessories to consumers who believe in their mission. Google Analytics provides the customer insights “to refine our marketing in a thoughtful and methodical way and drive forward as a profitable company,” Don says. And G Suite tools Gmail, Docs, and Drive give them the logistical muscle of a much larger company. “Google enables us to act as a very nimble team. Coming from a Special Operations environment, we love that,” explains Matt.

In 2016 alone, Combat Flip Flops generated nearly $1.5 million in revenue, growing 450 percent year-over-year. Through their sales, they’ve helped fund the clearing of 7,700 square meters of landmines in Laos, put 255 girls through school in Afghanistan, and provided permanent jobs for 40 at-risk workers in Colombia. They’ve also partnered with a veteran-owned-and-operated apparel manufacturer in Washington state to support jobs at home while still advancing their cause. “When we first started, we felt alone and isolated. But now there are tens of thousands of people who want to see our mission go forward,” says Matt. “The ability to connect with all of them across any boundary, language, and timezone—that’s the best feature Google has provided us.”

PicMonkey

Location: Seattle, Washington
Website: www.picmonkey.com
35 employees

The world increasingly relies on image-based media, both for professional and personal communication. PicMonkey, a design and photo editing platform, makes it possible for people with all levels of expertise to create amazing images. “We give users the ability to unlock their creative superpowers, and really take their images to the next level,” Chief Revenue Officer Maria Kaufman proudly states. So how does a small group of people in the tippy top corner of the US make a successful product with global impact? “We run on Google gas. Their productivity and communication apps help us work with partners and colleagues across time zones, while search, ad, and video products help us connect with and grow our user base."

PicMonkey uses AdWords, Google's advertising program, to help drive customers to their website. For a company with a digital product, this reach is huge. “AdWords is a vital part of our business, especially as we grow internationally,” Maria says. “Between Google Search and AdWords, 46% of our total site traffic in 2015 came from Google.” They use Google Apps for Work to collaborate, share ideas, and execute workflows instantly from anywhere. And they especially love YouTube. “There are thousands of user-created PicMonkey tutorial videos on YouTube,” Maria says. They also turn to AdSense, which helps them sell valuable ad space on their site, as an important revenue source. “AdSense is great for us because we have a tremendous global footprint,” Maria says. “In 2015 alone we saw over three billion ad impressions.”

If a picture's worth a thousand words, you could fill volumes about PicMonkey's bright future. They are expanding internationally in addition to hiring locally. “We're seeing double-digit growth in subscribers and triple-digit growth in average advertising revenue per session. It's exciting,” Maria reports. Just as photos take you around the world at the speed of a shutter snap, Google products help innovators like PicMonkey reach a global market instantly and easily.