Former teacher opens tutoring center with focus on mathematics
Do The Math, a tutoring center that specializes in mathematics, has opened in a 1,300-square-foot space at 14 E. Mission, says Rae Lynn Westby, the business's owner.

Westby says she's been teaching math for 11 years, most recently at Spokane's Lewis & Clark High School, and her services are available to high school and college students.

"I've always wanted to own my own business, and I love teaching math," says Westby.

Students can receive tutoring in a variety of math disciplines, such as algebra, trigonometry, statistics, pre-calculus, and calculus, she says. The business also offers SAT and WASL test-preparation classes.

Westby says most tutoring sessions take place on weekday afternoons and evenings and last 50 minutes.

Longer study sessions, such as preparing for the SAT test, take place on a Saturday.

Clients who seek tutoring from Westby often are paired up with peers who are studying similar material, but Westby says the student-to-teacher ratio never exceeds five-to-one.

Do The Math charges clients $25 for a 50-minute homework assistance session and $125 for a four-hour test-preparation class, she says.

Westby currently operates the business with one other employee and hopes to hire additional people as the business grows.

Custom-print business opens second location here at NorthTown
Blazing Printz, a custom-printing company that specializes in screen printing, embroidery, and photo gifts, has opened a second location here in a 600-square-foot space inside NorthTown Mall, at 4750 N. Division, says owner Cory Komberec. The company opened its first store in July in a 3,000-square-foot space at 3038 E. Trent.

Komberec says the new store will sell photo gifts primarily, including items such as mugs, plates, puzzles, mouse pads, and T-shirts that have a personal photograph printed on them.

He says T-shirts have been the most popular item among customers, and that the average cost of a photo gift is around $20.

The gifts range in price from about $13 to $60, says Komberec.

The company's Trent Avenue location will continue to handle larger custom print and embroidery jobs, he says.

Blazing Printz currently employs two full-time workers and plans to hire additional people to staff its NorthTown location during the holiday shopping season, says Komberec.

East Sprague flooring retailer plans to close
Karen Kirishian, owner of Kirishian's Floor Center, at 3405 E. Sprague, has decided to retire and close the store after 23 years in business.

She and her late husband, Mickey, opened the store.

The store has sold carpet and rugs, along with vinyl, hardwood, and laminate flooring. It also has offered cleaning services, repairs, and appraisals. She began a total liquidation sale last month.

Richard Kirishian Oriental Rugs Inc., at 220 E. Second, owned by Mickey Kirishian's cousin, Richard Kirishian, will remain in business, Richard Kirishian says.

Couple plans massage studio in Mead area
A Spokane couple plans to open an Elements Therapeutic Massage studio in the Mead Plaza retail strip center at 101 E. Hastings, a block east of Mead High School.

The couple, Steve and Linda Sparks, have signed a lease for a 1,500-square-foot space at the retail center and expect to open the studio there by Dec. 15, Steve Sparks says.

Elements is a massage therapy franchise network founded by Fitness Together Holdings Inc., its Highlands Ranch, Colo.-based parent company. The North Side Elements studio will be the second outlet in the Spokane area. The other one, at 3209 E. 57th on the South Hill, is owned separately.

The Oak & Elm Co., of Mead, Wash., is remodeling the space for the couple.

Elements offers seven different types of therapeutic massage, including Swedish, deep tissue, trigger point, prenatal massage, hot stone, sports, and chair.

Steve Sparks, who will manage the studio, says he will hire 12 people to staff it.

He says he has been a customer at the South Hill location, and wanted to open a North Side studio because of the growth in that area.

"I wanted to get involved in something that helps people," he says.

Fitness Together Holdings began franchising Elements studios in 2006, and the Colorado chain has 55 massage studios in 19 states.

Duo starts consulting, bookkeeping business
Mark and Steffanie Anderson have started a company here, called Business Cents LLC, through which they offer consulting, training, payroll services, and general bookkeeping using QuickBooks accounting software.

Mark Anderson says his wife has 15 years of experience with QuickBooks, and was a QuickBooks consultant in the Portland area for several years.

He says he has been a small-business owner for 20 years, owning a real estate investment company and a diaper service.

The Andersons moved here from Portland to be nearer to their children.

They have a home office, but do most of their consulting work at their clients' offices, Anderson says. They hope to hire an employee early next year, he says.