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PCC alum encourages a thriving community of small business owners through MESO

Story by Misty Bouse

Denise Tupper, who grew up in Portland, discovered her passion for social innovation and change-making in 2014 when she enrolled in PCC business classes. Her interest in social entrepreneurship was sparked by business courses with PCC instructor Heidi Sickert. 

“I wanted to see if studying business was a good fit,” she said. “I had recently earned a liberal arts degree, and Heidi’s class helped ignite my interest in entrepreneurship and business for social good.”

Tupper went on to earn a master’s degree in Business and graduate certificate from Portland State University’s School of Business and Social Innovation. She is using these credentials to make Portland and the region a more just and vibrant marketplace—one business at a time. 

Since 2019, Tupper has worked for Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon () in Northeast Portland, first as a business advisor and now as a program manager supporting over 130 small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Portland Metro, Marion County and Jackson County. MESO offers micro loans ranging up to $500,000 and some real estate lending. MESO’s mission is to elevate under-resourced and excluded entrepreneurs to build resilience, equity and thriving communities through access to capital, tailored business assistance and education. 

Tupper’s journey began at the in 2015, where she gained nonprofit experience supporting a team that provided students with scholarships.

“PCC has equipped me with skills that made a positive impact,” Tupper said. “Plus, classes on topics such as how to start investing and how to be a social entrepreneur helped me grow in my career and made MESO a great next step.”

MESO is a critical partner for PCC students who have started or want to start a venture. In particular, the that Tupper manages for MESO offers a 5-to-1 match for small businesses. This grant-based capital can make all the difference for traditionally underrepresented entrepreneurs.

“By supporting the local economy and Black-owned businesses, we can encourage a thriving community of small business owners to stay in Portland,” she added. “Supporting Black-owned businesses leads to increased revenues and more job opportunities. At MESO, we often see that these businesses reinvest in their communities, creating a multiplier effect that benefits local suppliers, service providers, and other businesses.”

For more information on PCC’s entrepreneurship courses visit

PCC’s SBDC has helped thousands of business owners over the last four decades. The center combines one-on-one business advising with training programs taught by business experts, giving small business clients the resources they need to grow.

For more information about PCC’s SBDC, check out www.pcc.edu/professional/small-business/