PNW Halal Meats is a small store located in Pullman, Washington, that offers a variety of halal goods and food from all over the world, including the Middle East, Africa, and South and Central Asia. The store is owned by Shamsa Wanjuki and her husband, who started the business almost 10 years ago when they realized that Pullman, being a college town with a large international student population, lacked halal meat and international food options.
The store not only serves international students and visitors, but it has also become a popular destination for the local community. PNW Halal Meats buys cow, lamb, and goat meat from local small-scale farmers and promotes the concept of halal meat in the community. The store also sells a wide range of spices that are not readily available in other stores, making it a popular destination for local residents who are looking for hard-to-find ingredients to use in their cooking.
The owners of PNW Halal Meats take pride in their high-quality halal meat, which is always fresh and never kept for long periods. They also ensure that the animals are slaughtered in a way that does not cause them any stress, which enhances the quality of the meat. The store's reputation for quality and freshness has helped it to become a popular destination for people who are looking for locally-sourced meat and other ingredients.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant challenge to PNW Halal Meats, as it did to many small businesses. When the students went home, Shamsa and her husband realized that their local community was their strongest asset. They worked in collaboration with their community and found ways to survive difficult times. They believe that sustainability is feasible as long as small businesses have a strong network and work in collaboration with their local communities.
Shamsa first heard about the Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (CIE) through Juan Garcia, CIE’s Business Advisor in the Palouse, who was walking through businesses and telling people about the organization. Shamsa attended CIE's business training program called Start Simple and learned about how she can expand her business simply and reach more people in the greater area.
"Juan is really wonderful. He is there to answer my questions… and he is always very kind. He has given us a lot of support," Shamsa says, "it's been a great time working with Juan, and I hope we shall continue this relationship because it is very beneficial for us as we expand." Juan also connected Shamsa with other small business owners who have been through similar experiences and served as mentors.
Shamsa and her husband want to encourage other small business owners not to lose hope during these difficult times. They believe that perseverance and patience are key to success. Despite the challenges of high prices and economic uncertainty, they remain optimistic and hopeful for the future. They hope that by supporting each other, small business owners can get through this tough time and come out even stronger.
PNW Halal Meat's story is a testament to the power of local communities and the importance of small businesses in promoting cultural diversity.
Facebook @PNWHalalMeats
Instagram @halal_meats
Address: 1045 N Grand Ave Pullman, WA, WA 99163
Phone Number: 503-339-6294 or 509-432-1706 or 503-740-6345
Email: pnwhalalmeats@gmail.com