Healthcare + Services

Hi, I'm Dr. Ross Drangsholt, and I run Drangsholt Orthodontics — a local orthodontics practice serving the Lakewood, Washington community.

From the beginning, my goal has been to build more than a practice — I wanted to build real relationships with the people I serve and become a genuine part of the community I call home.

A City of 60,000 That Still Feels Like a Small Town

Lakewood has around 60,000 residents, but it has a real small-town feel. I see patients at the park. I see them all over the community. And so many of the patients I've treated over the years remember me — and that means something.

That sense of connection is rare, and it's one of the things that makes Lakewood such a rewarding place to build a career and a life.

Real Financial Advantages for Lakewood Businesses

Lakewood also offers meaningful, practical advantages for business owners. There are available spaces to start and grow a business, and the area has a lower sales tax rate — which matters significantly in fields like dentistry and orthodontics.

In our practice, we invest heavily in equipment — hundreds of thousands of dollars worth. Even a few tenths of a percent difference in sales tax can translate to hundreds of dollars in savings every year. Those are real dollars that stay in the business.

Building Community Through Shared Passions

One of the things I love most about Lakewood is how naturally it brings people together around the things they care about. I'm a triathlete, and finding other people to run with didn't take long at all.

I now have a running group that meets every Saturday. We run through the park, through the neighborhoods — and those relationships grew directly out of being present and engaged in this community.

A Community That Chooses Local

People in Lakewood genuinely want to support local businesses. There's always someone looking for that small business that started here — that they can get behind and champion.

That loyalty creates a strong foundation for any business willing to invest in Lakewood and show up for its residents.

Why Lakewood Works for Healthcare and Professional Practices

For healthcare providers and professionals considering where to plant roots, Lakewood offers a rare combination: a large enough population to sustain a thriving practice, a business-friendly tax environment, available real estate, and a tight-knit community that values and supports local.

For me, Lakewood hasn't just been a place to practice orthodontics — it's been a place to find my people, build lasting relationships, and grow something I'm truly proud of.

Hi, I'm Risë Windell of Windell Portraits, and I'm Dotty Jackyl of Northwest Optical — and we're neighbors here in Lakewood, Washington.

From the beginning, our goal wasn't just to run successful businesses — it was to build something together, in a community that actually supports the people trying to do that.

Two Businesses, One Vision, One Building

Risë had a lifelong passion for photography, sparked into action by a goony little puppy who needed to be documented. Dotty was running her optical business in Tacoma when she was told she'd need to find a new location.

The two were walking their dogs together one day when they looked at a building and thought — what if we both had our businesses here? What if we could bring our dogs to work?

So they said, well, what the heck.

Moving to Lakewood — and Finding New Connections

For Dotty, relocating from Tacoma to Lakewood opened doors she hadn't expected. She was able to partner with local optometrists in the area and build new professional relationships that strengthened her business in ways her previous location never had.
Lakewood's business community made that possible — and the City helped make it real.

When You Hit a Wall, Lakewood Helps You Find the Door

Their original plan was simple: a shared wall between two separate spaces. But when the building inspector flagged the wall without explaining why, they were stuck.

That's when Lakewood's Business Development team stepped in — connecting them with the right people, getting the inspector back on site, and finally getting a clear answer. The solution turned out to be a door.

And once it was in, they liked it so much they added a window — so they could see each other's customers coming and going.

The City of Lakewood got them there.

A City That Actually Wants Small Businesses to Thrive

What stands out most for both Risë and Dotty is that the City of Lakewood genuinely wants to help businesses succeed. They care about small businesses — not just in word, but in action.

Whether it's cutting through red tape, making the right introduction, or just being there when something goes sideways, Lakewood shows up.

Why Lakewood Works for Creative and Independent Businesses

For entrepreneurs, artists, healthcare providers, and anyone looking to build something on their own terms, Lakewood offers a rare combination: available space, a supportive city government, and a community of neighbors who become collaborators.

For Risë and Dotty, it was never just about finding a place to work. It was about building something together — and Lakewood made that possible.

They built their better here. And so can you.