Photo By Joseph Siemandel | Majors Ray and Heidi Leonard, owners of Pinot's Pallete in Puyallup, Wash. The career...... read more read more
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If you have spent any time in the Washington Army National Guard’s aviation units, you’ve likely interacted with either Ray or Heidi Leonard, fondly referred to by colleagues as the “Majors Leonard.” The career aviators with more than 44 years of military service between them have done everything you can imagine in uniform to support Washington state and overseas deployments.
It was a date night in 2015 that motivated the couple to start their newest adventure, a business opportunity with Pinot’s Palette. It’s a paint and sip franchise that offers step-by-step group art lessons accompanied by wine or cocktails.
After some research, the Leonards signed a contract with Pinot’s Palette in April 2015, becoming a new franchisee. In December 2016, they opened their new business on Puyallup’s South Hill.
After two successful years, Heidi was named the first-ever Entrepreneur of the Year by the Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce.
The citation reads:
“Heidi Leonard is a small business entrepreneur, soldier, and mother of three children ages four and under. She is the owner and general manager of Pinot’s Palette – South Hill. A veteran with 20 years of service, currently commissioned as an officer in the Washington Army National Guard. She uses her small business, Pinot’s Palette, as an incredible platform to connect people and give back to the community through the power of creativity, innovation and fun. In 2018 alone, her small business has contributed more than $12,000 in gift baskets and donations for local organizations to benefit PTAs/PTSAs, families of fallen police officers, local hunger relief and to provide warm winter coats for children in Puyallup. We are truly in awe of all that Heidi accomplishes and contributes to this area and she truly embodies what it means to a Rising Star.”
Heidi recognizes it isn’t just her that earned this award, but the whole team she surrounded herself with.
“Success is rarely predicated on individual achievement, which I believe is the case with this award,” Heidi said. “I feel this award really belongs to my family and the Pinot's Palette South Hill team; being recognized is a testament to my husband's support and the commitment to excellence of our studio staff.”
Heidi admits to some very challenging times running the business. She works full-time for the Washington National Guard, she’s a mother of three, and Ray is across the state in Spokane for his full-time Washington National Guard position.
“Despite those hardships, we've been able to grow our business and our family and still give back to the community, and I think that’s pretty amazing,” said Heidi.
Heidi and Ray plan to open their second Pinot's Palette studio in Federal Way later this year and continue to look for future expansion opportunities in the state. They are also in the beginning stages of creating a non-profit organization specifically targeting youth food insecurity and childhood hunger in the area.
“Receiving this award is also validation and recognition for helping people,” Heidi said. “Most people that join the Guard are attracted to the idea of service to the community and giving back. I feel that by being business owners, we have been able to affect positive change and contribute to assist vulnerable populations in our community.”
| Date Taken: | 02.20.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 02.20.2019 13:28 |
| Story ID: | 311280 |
| Location: | PUYALLUP, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 403 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Guardsman recognized by local chamber for family-owned business, by Joseph Siemandel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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