Katherine Raz
@therealkatraz.bsky.social
I own a flower shop in Tacoma called Fernseed. Opening in Centralia, Wa. in 2026. I also write a Substack called Storefront Revolt, exploring the practical economics of running an independent retail business. storefrontrevolt.substack.com
For my PLACES talk, I showed changes in my business district from 2000 and 2023. In 2000, most commercial parcels were owned by someone who owned just one parcel. In 2023, investment consolidation had taken over. This proves to me that just 20 years ago, business owners DID own their buildings.
November 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
For my PLACES talk, I showed changes in my business district from 2000 and 2023. In 2000, most commercial parcels were owned by someone who owned just one parcel. In 2023, investment consolidation had taken over. This proves to me that just 20 years ago, business owners DID own their buildings.
I also brought this analysis to Capitol Hill last month, to staff from Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s office, Ranking Member on the Senate Banking Committee’s minority. They pointed out that the OCC guidelines aren't binding law. But then they asked: were there any banks that actually *did* lend to you?
November 10, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I also brought this analysis to Capitol Hill last month, to staff from Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s office, Ranking Member on the Senate Banking Committee’s minority. They pointed out that the OCC guidelines aren't binding law. But then they asked: were there any banks that actually *did* lend to you?
I went to a sub basement of a sub basement of research on why banks treat owner occupants differently than investors when underwriting loans, particularly when examining repayment sources. Page 131 of the Comptroller’s Handbook on Commercial Real Estate Lending, to be exact.
November 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
I went to a sub basement of a sub basement of research on why banks treat owner occupants differently than investors when underwriting loans, particularly when examining repayment sources. Page 131 of the Comptroller’s Handbook on Commercial Real Estate Lending, to be exact.
Part of the reason I struggle working retail in my shop now is that I have no idea what to say when a customer compliments how nice the whole district looks these days. 🙄 IT’S A TRAP!!!!
October 6, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Part of the reason I struggle working retail in my shop now is that I have no idea what to say when a customer compliments how nice the whole district looks these days. 🙄 IT’S A TRAP!!!!
Love a lightly romantic spam.
September 30, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Love a lightly romantic spam.
FOR A BUSINESS PLAN. My response to that was essentially, "Are you fucking kidding me," to which the lending officer replied, I shit you not, "You can consider using ChatGPT to create a Business Plan Sunmary [sic] of the expansion."
September 24, 2025 at 1:51 AM
FOR A BUSINESS PLAN. My response to that was essentially, "Are you fucking kidding me," to which the lending officer replied, I shit you not, "You can consider using ChatGPT to create a Business Plan Sunmary [sic] of the expansion."
One told me to apply again later, as they didn't think I needed the $60k for inventory until next year if our 1st month of operations is scheduled for June, 2026. This is after I spent 3-4 hours on their application + back & forth emails. I asked them to consider funding other aspects, they said no.
September 24, 2025 at 1:37 AM
One told me to apply again later, as they didn't think I needed the $60k for inventory until next year if our 1st month of operations is scheduled for June, 2026. This is after I spent 3-4 hours on their application + back & forth emails. I asked them to consider funding other aspects, they said no.
The Kansas Dept. of Economic Development was asking these questions in 1984. This is the oldest instance I have yet found of an organization asking about rent versus own the building for small business owners. kgi.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/api/...
September 23, 2025 at 5:50 AM
The Kansas Dept. of Economic Development was asking these questions in 1984. This is the oldest instance I have yet found of an organization asking about rent versus own the building for small business owners. kgi.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/api/...
Meanwhile this cabin in Oregon is the best place to hole up and feel like your writing is important. I also love the chairs (see source). DM if you wanna know where/how to book. (I make no affiliate revenue from this.)
September 7, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Meanwhile this cabin in Oregon is the best place to hole up and feel like your writing is important. I also love the chairs (see source). DM if you wanna know where/how to book. (I make no affiliate revenue from this.)
Full 4-minute version on my Instagram!
www.instagram.com/reel/DMs6oeA...
www.instagram.com/reel/DMs6oeA...
July 30, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Full 4-minute version on my Instagram!
www.instagram.com/reel/DMs6oeA...
www.instagram.com/reel/DMs6oeA...
Maybe I don’t talk enough about the things I actually love about doing this work and why I want to fight for it. So here’s some of that in pictures.
July 26, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Maybe I don’t talk enough about the things I actually love about doing this work and why I want to fight for it. So here’s some of that in pictures.
I'm going to to out on a limb and say any bank that features a photo of a smiling business owner in an apron would not actually underwrite a commercial real estate loan for that actual business. We look so great in the marketing, but we just don't pencil out.
July 18, 2025 at 4:11 AM
I'm going to to out on a limb and say any bank that features a photo of a smiling business owner in an apron would not actually underwrite a commercial real estate loan for that actual business. We look so great in the marketing, but we just don't pencil out.
And my question is, did Key Bank loan money to any of these businesses? And the answer is, basically, no.
July 18, 2025 at 4:09 AM
And my question is, did Key Bank loan money to any of these businesses? And the answer is, basically, no.
After reading "Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America," I'm now keenly aware of how mindset coaching is often paired with institutions designed to lock people out of top positions so they can more easily sell self-help content and coaching.
July 18, 2025 at 4:01 AM
After reading "Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America," I'm now keenly aware of how mindset coaching is often paired with institutions designed to lock people out of top positions so they can more easily sell self-help content and coaching.
Trying to find the commercial lending division of Key Bank but all I get is I can take a "Small Business Advice" quiz 🤮 or join their Key4Women ‼️ "community" > the only upcoming event scheduled is, I shit you not, about dressing for success.
July 18, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Trying to find the commercial lending division of Key Bank but all I get is I can take a "Small Business Advice" quiz 🤮 or join their Key4Women ‼️ "community" > the only upcoming event scheduled is, I shit you not, about dressing for success.
After complaining that last year's PLACES Conference didn't ask the right questions of Main Street businesses, the Washington Main Street invited me back... as a presenter.
July 7, 2025 at 3:46 PM
After complaining that last year's PLACES Conference didn't ask the right questions of Main Street businesses, the Washington Main Street invited me back... as a presenter.
This is why a cheesy real estate company in Tacoma—that uses rubber hose characters in their branding!—can buy 19+ buildings on South Tacoma Way (where Fernseed is) and why I couldn't purchase 1 building. Every building they buy, they paint the same way.
July 3, 2025 at 4:13 PM
This is why a cheesy real estate company in Tacoma—that uses rubber hose characters in their branding!—can buy 19+ buildings on South Tacoma Way (where Fernseed is) and why I couldn't purchase 1 building. Every building they buy, they paint the same way.
YESSSSSSSS! Laying in to the lazy branding trend of using rubber hose characters on everything. I hate it! Now I can intellectualize my distaste thanks to illustrators and designers explaining whyyyyy it’s so baaaddddd www.instagram.com/reel/DLXI-Qd...
June 29, 2025 at 7:15 PM
YESSSSSSSS! Laying in to the lazy branding trend of using rubber hose characters on everything. I hate it! Now I can intellectualize my distaste thanks to illustrators and designers explaining whyyyyy it’s so baaaddddd www.instagram.com/reel/DLXI-Qd...
I also think about this a lot.
June 6, 2025 at 3:18 PM
I also think about this a lot.
I think about this a lot. #commercialREI
June 5, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I think about this a lot. #commercialREI
Members of our South Tacoma neighborhood steering group met with Mayor Woodards today after the Tacoma City Council study session briefing them on the project. The mayor came out to say she was a fan of Fernseed ☺️and told us to keep on the city about funding shovel-ready projects in our district.
May 14, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Members of our South Tacoma neighborhood steering group met with Mayor Woodards today after the Tacoma City Council study session briefing them on the project. The mayor came out to say she was a fan of Fernseed ☺️and told us to keep on the city about funding shovel-ready projects in our district.
I feel manipulated to have clicked on this only to discover it was prompted by a letter writer panicked by turning 30. “Your best years are ahead of you” doesn’t feel as solid approaching 50. WHAT ABOUT US, Headspace?!?!
May 12, 2025 at 2:53 PM
I feel manipulated to have clicked on this only to discover it was prompted by a letter writer panicked by turning 30. “Your best years are ahead of you” doesn’t feel as solid approaching 50. WHAT ABOUT US, Headspace?!?!