White Salmon Monthly Giveaway – Blackbird + Ivory

HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone! We are welcoming January with our first giveaway of 2024! We love being able to shine a spotlight on our amazing Downtown businesses here in White Salmon, and it’s even more special to engage all of you and pass along some incredible freebies!  Congratulations to Megan Cagigas, the recipient of our December giveaway! Megan scored herself a $100 gift card to our beloved Soča Wine Shop!

We know you are all enjoying our giveaways as much as we are, and we so appreciate your engagement with our social media page and website. It has been a lot of fun talking with our local small business owners to learn more about them, what they do, and what led them here.  We are so fortunate to live where there is so much diversity. We have unique gift shops, amazing food, wine, and craft brews, and a myriad of artists and wellness professionals right in the heart of Downtown, and that feels pretty special!

Our Explore White Salmon website and social media pages focus on our immediate and nearby surrounding communities to promote and spotlight these small businesses while striving toward an emphasis on sustainable tourism. We always do our best to keep you updated and in the know about upcoming events and happenings in and around White Salmon!

HOW IT WORKS

We will partner with a local business in Downtown White Salmon at the beginning of each month. Each business owner will decide what they would like to donate. We will then highlight the details on our Instagram and Facebook pages.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

1: Follow @explorewhitesalmon on Instagram
2: Like the post
3: Tag your friends in the comment section
(more comments/tags = more entries!)

The last entry will be the last day of the month. One winner will be randomly selected and notified on the 1st of the month and will be notified via our Instagram stories.

JANUARY GIVEAWAY | BLACKBIRD + IVORY

Now, on to our January giveaway, coming to you from Blackbird + Ivory. If you’re unfamiliar, BB + I is a small retail space Downtown White Salmon owned by Elizabeth Jones Ferguson and Sarah Jane Emerson. Blackbird + Ivory carries a curated collection of women’s clothing, accessories, bags, and art and jewelry crafted in the Northwest and across the globe. They source almost exclusively from female-owned businesses that care about people and the environment, while their inventory is filled with a growing line of fair trade products made in the USA that focuses on simple, yet sustainable style!

WHAT YOU WILL WIN
–A $100 Gift Card

THE STORY

We were able to ask Elizabeth a few questions about starting and running a business here in White Salmon..

Explore White Salmon (EWS): Tell us a little bit about the inception of Blackbird + Ivory–why specifically a retail shop?
Blackbird + Ivory (BB + I):
I am passionate about fashion and people, though that alone would not have landed me in the retail business. My husband and I moved to the Gorge nine years ago and spent two years building our home (during which time I worked remotely from the RV we were living in during the build). My husband’s work had not yet transitioned to remote work–he had a satellite office in White Salmon and then in Lyle, but was commuting back and forth to Vancouver where we had sold our home. To stay busy, I began buying and selling clothes online. I was starting to grow a collection of goods, so when the small space we’re in became available, I jumped on it.

EWS: How did you decide on a name for your business?
BB + I:
Blackbird + Ivory was named by my sister. The idea was sparked by a few things–my love for elephants and the use of the phrase ‘trunk show’ in the fashion industry, hence the word ‘ivory’. If you peeked into my wardrobe, you’d see mostly black and ivory apparel and shoes, AND I am a huge Beatles fan (Blackbird – Beetles 1968 Double Album). Lastly, black and ivory could be used to describe me and my sister–we are adopted–she is blonde and fair-skinned, I am dark haired with a darker complexion from my American Indian lineage. As you can see, it’s the perfect name!

EWS: What has been the most challenging aspect of owning a small business here in White Salmon?
BB + I:
The nature of retail, combined with a limited 400 square foot space. Amazon and other online shopping retail giants have made it really convenient to shop from the comfort of our homes, so when people do go out, they tend to spend their time and money on experiences, like dining out. We are located just off Jewett Blvd, the main street running through White Salmon, and often hear people say they didn’t even know we were here, so that is also challenging. Because of the small space, we have to be very selective with what we can carry, so that’s always a challenge as well.

EWS: What has been the most rewarding?
BB + I:
The most rewarding is definitely having a positive effect on people and on this world. I love to make someone’s day by helping them pick out a new outfit and sending them home with something they fell in love with at the store. I have a graduate degree in social work and my career is about helping to improve the child welfare systems, so I’m at a desk, immersed in data. At Blackbird + Ivory, I have bridged social work and retail. We support a dozen or so local and Pacific Northwest artisans–jewelry makers, artists, photographers, candle and soap makers, and wood workers. We are giving them a storefront to sell their handcrafted goods. We also carry International artisan products and brands that give back, pay fair trade wages, re-purpose materials and are leaving a positive footprint.

 

EWS: What is the most fun part of what you do at Blackbird + Ivory?
BB + I:
I get to shop my favorite brands, support local artisans, buy products that have a positive impact, meet new people and help style women of all ages, shapes and sizes, all while introducing them to a socially conscious shopping experience! And I get to listen to music and hang out in what feels like a woman’s clubhouse, I love it!

EWS: What is something your customers may be surprised to know?
BB + I:
Right now we have to supplement sales by doing pop-ups in Seattle and Portland. It’s a lot of work to pack everything up and create a store that is three to four times larger than our storefront here in White Salmon, for a one or two day event. People are always surprised and impressed when they see the temporary retail space we create in an unexpected location.

EWS: Tell us about what you see for the future of Blackbird + Ivory…
BB +I:
In our near future is an online store, some long term pop-up locations, and perhaps a second store in a larger city or a mobile store!

Thank you for sharing your journey, Elizabeth! And for participating in our giveaway!
We too are impressed with your beautiful retail space and the positive impact you’ve achieved and continue to strive for at Blackbird + Ivory!

Now get on over to our @explorewhitesalmon Instagram page and ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!!

Interview by Jana Shepherd