Running a business is serious… Unless you decide to make it a laughing matter.
By Loni Rahm
Shai Newaz, Kelsey Guy and their business partner Jesse wrote a business plan for Rotten Apple on a napkin during a fateful winter trip uplake to Stehekin, which derailed slightly when they realized they spent eight hours roundtrip on a boat to reach a famous bakery that was closed for the season.
“We were forced to look at each other during that eight hour trip,” Shai joked, “with no trip to the bakery so there wasn’t even a payoff – but there was a payoff because we came up with Rotten Apple”.
“We knew we wanted to relocate (from Southern California) to the Pacific Northwest,” said Kelsey. “We were thinking Portland, but spent some time vacationing with family and friends at Lake Chelan and never left.”
The dynamic duo had found a niche where her skills in stage design and communications, his experience in marketing and business administration, and their friend Jesse’s connections to quality talent, could create a perfect platform to launch their comedy company here in the Lake Chelan Valley.
Shai was excited about the success of their freshman year bringing comedy to Chelan. “We bring people together to experience joy and laughter.” Rotten Apple sources top notch entertainers who enthrall their audiences while simultaneously falling in love with the Lake Chelan lifestyle.
Shai and Kelsey credit the immediate support of Campbell’s Resort and the Campbell family, who saw the value of a new entertainment option in the valley.
“We love this community,” said Kelsey. “It’s a slow paced lifestyle with a fast paced demand for nightlife options”.
The summer comedy series features performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at Campbell’s Resort. Upcoming artists include April Macie and Chris Porter from NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and Shane Mauss who has been featured on Conan, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Comedy Central Presents.
For schedule information and to purchase tickets, visit ChelanComedy.com.
Listen to a full interview with Shai and Kelsey on Episode 15 of Making Waves.
