Celebrate Portland Small Businesses: B. Steele Images
Prosper Portland’s Inclusive Business Resource Network partners with organizations like Northwest Native Chamber and the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) to support entrepreneurs as they start and grow their businesses. They recently shared a small business success story from B. Steele Images.
Founded by Brigit Steele, B. Steele Images specializes in consumer product photography for food and beverage brands. Photography has always been her throughline, fulfilling her curiosity for the world, and after more than a decade in finance, Brigit felt drawn back to a creative path, founding B. Steele Images.
As a proud member of the Cherokee Nation, Brigit’s work is grounded in reconnection to the land, to community, and to the deeper stories that live within our food systems. Her own journey of decolonization and reconnection with the Portland’s Native community continues to shape how she sees the world, reminding her to create from a place of gratitude, reciprocity, and respect.
Brigit started working with the NAYA and the Northwest Native Chamber in 2023. In 2024, Brigit graduated from NAYA’s Basics of Business/Native Enterprise Course. Later, she successfully completed the Native Business Accelerator Course, which provided vital knowledge in financial development, business planning, marketing, and management.
Working with these two partners, Brigit was connected to programs that help strengthen her business’s online presence including website development and marketing strategy. Additionally, she tapped into peer-to-peer connections, and was able to address needs related to insurance, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and financial planning.
Through Northwest Native Chamber and the Native American Youth and Family Center, entrepreneurs access business advising, funding opportunities, marketing assistance, and a powerful community network. Both organizations are working tirelessly to create and expand programs that help businesses grow.
Whether you’re launching a new idea or expanding an existing business, connecting with these partners can provide the tools and knowledge to help your business succeed.
