Its a tough time for technology startups in Seattle. Many have already endured more than one round of layoffs. Others have scaled back their business plans. Venture capitalists are tightening the grip on their wallets. Even Microsoft has announced a hiring freeze. Terry Drayton has seen this all before. The 48-year-old Calgary, Alberta, native is…

In 2004, Cause Haun made a phone call from a cab in China. She was visiting her husbands family and had come across a pair of toddler shoes made of supple leather with super-flexible rubber solesjust right for new walkers like her one-year-old, Kai. Haun called the shoe factory about manufacturing under a private label…