Rain City Referrals

08/13/2026

This week's meeting presentation was a great one 🙌

We had Natasha Cottingham join us to share her work in Soma Bodywork — and honestly, it left a lot of us rethinking how we hold stress and stability in our bodies.

A few highlights from her talk:

🔹 Soma Bodywork looks at the body from a structural point of view — how it organizes itself and is always striving toward balance.

🔹 The work focuses on releasing restrictions in the fascia (the connective tissue that wraps around everything in our bodies), creating more ease and freedom of movement.

🔹 Natasha talked about what happens to the body after an injury, and how those old patterns can quietly shape the way we move for years afterward.

🔹 There's an emotional layer to this work too. Emotions can live in our connective tissue, and as those physical constraints release, sometimes the emotional weight releases right along with it. Natasha's approach is to create a safe space where clients can open up and be witnessed through that process.

🔹 Clients often leave sessions with a sense of suspension — more grounded and more connected to their core.

She recommends seeing clients weekly for the best results, though she also offers one-time sessions if you just want to experience the work.

The feedback from her clients speaks for itself: "My shoulder pain is gone!" "I'm so glad I booked the full 10 sessions."

If you're curious about fascia work, structural alignment, or just want to feel more grounded in your body, Natasha is worth checking out.

08/06/2026

At this week's networking meeting, architect Chris Keyser shared highlights from a recent trip through Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey exploring Greco-Roman ruins and temples.

A recurring theme: how much was carved directly into rock — from Cappadocia's underground cave city of Derinkuyu, to hillside amphitheaters in Amman, to the iconic Treasury at Petra, to the tombs of Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings, where original color and detail still remain today.

A great look at how much history is literally carved into the landscape. Thanks, Chris, for sharing your journey with the group!

07/09/2026

One of the highlights of this week's networking meeting was hearing from Sean Riley about his remarkable career journey and the experience he brings to the insurance industry.

Before entering insurance, Sean spent 24 years as a deep-sea fisherman in Alaska. After relocating with his family, he was introduced to the insurance business through his brother and became a Farmers Insurance agent in 2002. Starting with zero policies in force and no existing book of business to purchase, Sean built his agency entirely from the ground up through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to serving his clients.

Nearly three years ago, Sean transitioned to an independent broker with AAA Washington after selling his Farmers book of business. As an independent broker, he now has access to multiple personal insurance carriers and approximately 20 commercial insurance companies. Rather than trying to fit every client into one company's offerings, Sean is able to match each individual or business with the carrier that best fits their unique needs.

Sean also shared several valuable insights into today's insurance market. For homeowners, insurers are paying particularly close attention to a property's plumbing, electrical, and heating systems when evaluating coverage. On the commercial side, he emphasized the importance of carrying adequate Errors & Omissions (E&O) coverage, which can be critical for many businesses.

While his practice is currently about 60% personal insurance and 40% commercial insurance, Sean also helps clients with life insurance. One statement that stood out to me was that he isn't afraid to have those important conversations because, for many families, life insurance is simply the right thing to have in place to protect the people who matter most.

Sean's story is a great reminder that experience, perseverance, and having access to the right tools can make all the difference. If you're looking for someone who takes the time to understand your situation and find coverage that truly fits your needs, Sean is a great resource to have in your network.

I have proudly served families and businesses for nearly 21 years. Prior to becoming an insurance professional, I was a commercial fisherman in Alaska for 20 years. I am a member of a large extended family; without their love and support, I would not be the person I am today.

06/18/2026

This week at our meeting, we had the opportunity to hear from Padraic Jordan of Windermere Real Estate.

Padraic shared important updates regarding a new Washington State law affecting residential real estate listings. Under the new rules, private listings and pre-listing marketing are no longer permitted. Homes that are being listed for sale must be entered into the MLS, reinforcing a practice that has been the industry standard for decades and helping ensure equal access and transparency for buyers and sellers.

Beyond discussing industry changes, Padraic highlighted what he enjoys most about real estate—working closely with clients, helping them navigate difficult situations, and ensuring they achieve the outcomes that matter most to them. Whether someone is facing a challenging transition, preparing to sell, or searching for their next home, Padraic is committed to providing guidance, support, and solutions throughout the process.

Thank you, Padraic, for sharing your expertise and helping keep our group informed about important changes impacting homeowners and the real estate market.

Padraic Jordan is a Managing Broker at the Windermere Seattle-Eastlake office. Padraic Jordan is ready to help you with your real estate needs.

06/11/2026

Today's presentation featured Mitchell Torres, Business Community Banker and newly promoted Branch Manager of the Eastgate Branch. Congratulations, Mitchell, on your well-deserved promotion!

Mitchell shared his commitment to making the Eastgate Branch a welcoming place where customers feel valued and supported. His goal is simple: help individuals and businesses throughout the community succeed by providing the right financial solutions when they need them.

Business services available include:
✅ Zelle for Business
✅ Free Business Checking Accounts
✅ Express Lending & SBA Lending
✅ Business Credit Cards
✅ Commercial Loans

One of the biggest takeaways from today's presentation: The best time to get a loan is when you don't need it. Establishing lending relationships and securing financing before an urgent need arises can create opportunities and provide peace of mind when growth opportunities come along.

Thank you, Mitchell, for sharing your expertise and dedication to serving our local business community!

04/16/2026

Great connecting with everyone at today’s networking meeting—always something valuable to take away, and this time was no exception.

We heard from Kris Mazanti, “Flash,” founder of Rewire Electric, who shared a candid and practical look at his journey into the electrical trade and ultimately entrepreneurship.

What stood out most was that his path wasn’t linear. He started out considering a career as a mechanic and even had early hands-on experience doing flooring work—tearing up carpet, laying tile, and getting comfortable working with tools. A turning point came when he got exposure to electrical work installing electrical cabinets on cell towers. Watching electricians on the job sparked something.

Even then, he gave the mechanic path a real shot—but it didn’t live up to expectations. Faced with two opportunities—working as a Boeing mechanic or joining a family friend at Boon Electric—he took a chance on becoming an electrician. That decision changed everything.

As an apprentice, he discovered he genuinely loved the work. His first major project—a full electrical buildout at a synagogue in Tacoma—set the tone. From there, he contributed to antenna installations at UPS facilities to support logistics systems, and later worked on large multi-family high-rise projects.

What’s impressive is the level of commitment behind the scenes: working full-time during the day, attending night school for four years, and still finding time to support his wife’s business. That consistency paid off when he earned his journeyman title.

After the birth of his first child, he made another pivot—joining the union while quietly taking on side jobs, especially the kind others avoided. That’s where he began specializing in knob-and-tube electrical work, leaning into a niche rather than away from it.

Now running his own residential electrical business, his story is a reminder that careers aren’t always about the “perfect plan”—they’re built through exposure, decisions, and a willingness to try something new.

Appreciate Kris for sharing such an honest look at the journey. Looking forward to seeing what he builds next.

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04/09/2026

Had the pleasure of hearing Amy Woidtke from Making Space for You present “From Sunshine to Sanctuary” at our recent networking meeting—and what a powerful look into the human side of moving and organization.

Amy shared the story of a cross-country move from Florida to Kirkland, where her client’s mom packed an entire household into 70 carefully labeled boxes—complete with a detailed inventory of every loose item. While the logistics were impressive, Amy highlighted that the biggest challenge wasn’t the move itself—it was gaining trust and helping her client feel comfortable stepping back and accepting support. She even walked through the home side-by-side with her client to ensure everything felt right, and stayed responsive to follow-up texts like “Where did we put that?”

Her motto says it best: moving clients from “I can’t find anything” to “everything has a home.”

With a small but passionate team of two organizing contractors, Amy brings over 20 years of experience to her work. Her approach is client-centric, combining detailed project planning, home mapping layouts, and thoughtful touches like labeling spaces for movers so every box lands exactly where it belongs.

What stood out most was Amy’s commitment to community and sustainability—donating the majority of items to keep them out of landfills—and her dedication to client care.

Amy proudly serves King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties—and based on her exclusively 5-star reviews, it’s easy to see why.

Thank you, Amy, for an inspiring and insightful presentation!

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04/02/2026

Had a great time reviewing this week’s presentation with the group!

Andrew Norris, owner of Emerald Isle Construction and Tile, shared a personal and engaging presentation about his recent trip home to Ireland. He took us through his visit to Inishowen, highlighting the landscape, culture, and what makes the area so meaningful to him.

It was a refreshing mix of business and personal storytelling—giving us insight not just into Andrew’s background, but also the experiences that shape his perspective and work.

Appreciate the opportunity to connect, learn, and support each other’s growth. Looking forward to the next one!

You can count on Emerald Isle Tile in Seattle, WA for impeccable tile and stone craftsmanship. Call today. 206-446-2995