Business forum raises nearly $30K for student scholarships

The Bellingham Business Forum, held Oct. 11 at the Hotel Bellwether, raised nearly $30,000 for student scholarships, said Mark Bagley, senior director for fundraising with the Western Washington University Foundation.

Keynote speaker at the event was entrepreneur Erin Baker, founder of Erin Baker’s Wholesome Baked Goods and creator of the incredibly popular Baker’s Breakfast Cookie.

After its start in a rented 4-H kitchen at the Island County Fairgrounds in 1994, Baker’s company has grown into a 20,000-square-foot bakery with distribution to more than 30 states. The company’s steady, solid growth and staying power is based on a “spend what you have” business philosophy. For the last 16 years, oats, fruit and honey have been the staple ingredients in her bakery, making Baker a pioneer in the food industry. In addition to baking healthy food, Baker is passionate about kids and keeping them healthy. That’s why she lends a hand at the Whatcom County Boys & Girls Clubs by providing Breakfast Cookies and a “Bottomless Fruit Bowl” for each of the five Whatcom County clubs.

The Bellingham Business Forum is an annual opportunity for business and civic leaders to connect with friends of the university and to enjoy an address by a prominent professional. All proceeds go to student schoalrships. For more information about scholarship support, call (360) 650-3612.