Welcome to Risk Takers – stories of Yakima Valley Entrepreneurs

Every day, hundreds of ambitious Central Washington residents risk their money, labor and good names running their own businesses.
They are entrepreneurs. They range from Jere Irwin and the Shields family, whose large and complex manufacturing plants employ hundreds, to Benedito Aguilar and her daughters, who run a four-person cheese-making company. Their backgrounds and stories are as varied as their businesses.
Today and next Sunday, the Yakima Herald-Republic presents Risk Takers – Stories of Yakima Valley Entrepreneurs in which we will profile dozens of local men and women who own these businesses. Some are small, others multimillion dollar operations. Each has had its share of challenges and successes. For every business profiled, there are dozens of other entrepreneurs equally worthy of attention. All, however, share the dream and risk of owning their own business. Learn More