By Andrea Reay, Executive Director, Discover Burien


It takes a lot to open your own business, and even more to keep it open. Just ask long time business owners Darla Green and Lindsay White. Both women are celebrating their ten year anniversaries this year at their respective businesses. Passion inspired them to start their businesses but hard work, dedication and diligence has been instrumental to their success

Ms Green opened Skinperfect a beauty bar boutique in February of 2005 and Ms White opened Osteria da Primo, a colorful Italian Eatery, with her husband Carlo in May of 2005. Osteria da Primo specializes in fresh pasta, wood fired pizza and an exceptional wine list. They were recently included in an article by Seattle Met Magazine as one of the top Italian restaurants in the Seattle area http://www.seattlemet.com/eat-and-drink/nosh-pit/articles/35-great-seat….

Darla Green is a Licensed Master Aesthetician and Educator with over 20 years in the professional makeup and skincare industry. Skinperfect is a full service skincare salon committed to providing exceptional professional skincare. A full list of the services offered at Skinperfect can be found at www.skinperfectinseattle.com.

I recently had the opportunity to talk to both women and ask them why they decided to open their business in Burien, what have been some of the challenges and opportunities and what they are looking forward to for the next 10 years.

Ms White answered “I am a fifth generation Burien resident, but my husband is from a small town in Southern Italy. We decided to open in Burien, at the time we did because we wanted to be a part of the renaissance of our city. We also felt there was a need for a business like ours, at that time there were very few dining options, and none were fine dining. Almost 12 years ago we took possession of our building. At that time 152nd was at the beginning of its transformation from one of the more travelled roads to the “Main Street” of our business corridor. It was a struggle to open our business as the space was vacant for several years, the building was not up to code, and our landlords were quite unwilling to help and were not local. I think this is one of the biggest issues with many of the buildings in our community, absent landlords who have no real connection to our city. They may have a financial interest in a business’ success but there is not vested interest in our city’s success as a whole. After two years of issues with the roof we opened and have loved being a part of this community.”

Osteria da Primo recently celebrated their anniversary with a restaurant packed with their loyal diners all eager to sample a 5 course tasting menu that also featured outstanding wine pairings.
“We feel so fortunate to be a part of this community and appreciate everyone’s support over the past ten years.” Ms White said thanking the community “As for the next ten years… we hope to continue our success and see the city as a whole continue to grow and prosper. We and are excited to share our city with so many new and established eateries that can cement Burien’s place as a dining destination south of Seattle.”

Ms Green replied that for her “The greatest challenge starting a business in Burien in 2005 was the onset of the recession, hands down. However I was going through some personal struggles as well. It was a challenging time in my life. I signed my first lease when I was nine months pregnant with my youngest son. It was a lot to take on, all in the same time frame. Perseverance, fortitude, my long term employee, Jennifer Fitzgerald, and amazing clients kept me going through the leaner years. I wanted to bring a high quality skincare studio, featuring services and an eclectic selection of boutique items to the neighborhood I called home for most of my life. The very best part of running this kind of business is the wonderful relationships I have had over the last 10 years with my clients, many I now call friends. As I have grown and changed, personally and professionally, so have my clients! I now am seeing their children graduate from college! I look forward to the next 10 years with an eye on not only having Skinperfect, but also becoming an Aesthetic Instructor.”

Are you interested in following your passion and opening your own business? As Bruce Levin once said “Behold the turtle, he makes progress only when he sticks his neck out” Burien is an ideal location to stick your neck out, live your dream and Discover Burien can set you on your path to success. Who knows, 10 years from now, we could be celebrating your anniversary as well.

-Andrea Reay is the Executive Director of Discover Burien. Discover Burien is a non-profit service organization dedicated to economic development and community engagement in Burien. For more information on starting a business, shopping local, supporting local businesses, as well as specials and discounts offered by member businesses please visit www.discoverburien.org