Something that I admire more than anything is young entrepreneurial hipsters who are working their business, making a big difference here in this T to the Town.

I try to frequent their places as much as possible because I have so much respect for the fact that they’ve thrown themselves in the business world at a tender age, vesting their hearts and finances in retail, design firms, publishing houses, restaurants and bars that bring more and more flavor to our savory city.

Here are just a few of these young business people that you should pay attention to:

Laura Malone. I’ve never seen her blush, but what I’m about to say might do the trick. ’Tis the truth, dear Laura: Tacoma has a big crush on you. We love you for the organic inspiration you bring to Monsoon Room, your beauty and fantastic sense of self, cutting edge fashion, community dedication and relentless business smarts.

Josh Dunn. He had the guts to create Premier Media Group, which publishes all kinds of fancy publications including two magazines, South Sound and 425. Their spreads on Tacoma places and people are awe-inspiring. PMG moved its office to 711 St. Helens, fell in love with the downtown and the whole city, and we love Josh and his crew back.

Julie Bennett, Katy Jayne, Emily Dilberry, Ashley Taulcee and Rebecca Dashow. They offer us fashion boutique bliss with urbanXchange, Rocky & Coco’s, Junior Bizarre and Dame Lola. From Betsy Johnson to the perfect worn-in jeans, these gals have you covered.

John Xitco, Troy Christian and Sean Quinn. Like any good mother hen, I really can’t decide which of these guys I love more because they each bring such unique character to Asado and Masa. Together they’re one of the leading forces that’s bringing more and more life to Sixth Avenue.

Rachel Stella. I actually don’t know her at all, but Tacoma needs to give props to her for Black Water Café. At each and every moment, it’s busy with artists clamoring away on their Apple computers and light-hearted caffeinated convos. I don’t even like coffee (I understand that’s sacrilege in this part of the country), but my heart always bursts when I get my fancy hot chocolate, and I smile at all of my frou-frou friends who hang out there.

Rusty George. He had the talent, connections and know-how to create a firm that offers that much more color to our city: Rusty George Creative. He manages a business that’s rooted in fun, right down to the pinball machine that I like to sneak in and play uninvited.

Jim Higgins. If I say one more nice thing about Jim and Puget Sound Pizza, I know you’re going to start to think that he’s paying me, but I swear, that business he’s built deserves the attention.

Russ Heaton and Dave Shelnut. They’re not paying me, either. However, these two are without a doubt two of my favorite people in Tacoma, and the urban trouble that I get into with them is nothing but fun. The bar they run 365 days a year, Doyle’s Public House, attracts a staff and a crowd that have become my family. It turns out that you really can pick your family after all.