June 2025 | ROAR Newsletter
Executive Director's Letter
July 1 marks two years for me at SIMBA as an employee, although I started working at SIMBA in April 2023 as the contracted Field Canvassing Manager, a position I believe I received in part because I was the only person on the team old enough to have learned how to read a paper map. As we head into July 2025, SIMBA staff will take a pause to review our services and offerings, take a breath from huge projects, and focus on being the best SIMBA we can for the rest of the year and beyond.
What does that look like for the community we serve? We have one public workshop coming up and a handful of private workshops (we are happy to host a private workshop for your business or organization - send me an email to get started). We will be pausing most free business consultations due to significant government contract cuts, and we won't be at every tabling event. We'll be offering low cost consultations, free access to our video library of dozens of workshops tailored to running your Eastern Washington business (including the entire SIMBA School of Business Series, which just posted in full), and as always, providing free consultations for SIMBA Members.
We'll also be finalizing new products launching soon (like mailing services for sole proprietors and social media templates and calendars for your small business), making updates to Live Local INW to keep it both free and robust for Spokane and Eastern Washington Businesses, and focusing on ways to keep the education side of SIMBA's mission accessible to everyone. If you want to support those efforts, we encourage you to make a tax-deductible donation or consider becoming a member (also tax-deductible).
Warm regards, Robin
SIMBA Business Services Contractor Lina Roncancio, Executive Director Robin Haynes, Business Services & Communications Associate Alexis McLaughlin, and Business Services Contractor Anna Marie Martin at our recent SIMBA x Vested Headshot Event in collaboration with SIMBA Member Electric Photoland. Lina and Anna's last day is today, June 30, as we had them on a limited basis with grants that have come to an end.
SIMBA Updates
Introducing SIMBA’s New Podcast: In the Den
We’re excited to announce In the Den, SIMBA’s brand-new podcast created in partnership with Sponsoring SIMBA member Spokast! This monthly podcast will feature interviews with Sustaining and Sponsoring SIMBA members, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their businesses, challenges, success stories, and why they are members of SIMBA.
The introductory episode launched on Friday, June 27 across all the major podcast platforms, followed by our first full episode on Tuesday, July 2, featuring Sustaining SIMBA Members Mountain Top Mentality. You’ll be able to listen on SIMBA’s very own podcast channel and all of Spokast’s platforms.
A huge thank you to Brennon Poynor of Spokast for making this possible and creating a new space to uplift our local business community. Beyond showcasing SIMBA members, In the Den aims to highlight small businesses across Eastern Washington, emphasizing the importance of supporting local, and sharing valuable tips for business owners.
Interested in participating in the podcast?
Check out our Sustaining and Sponsoring membership benefits to learn how your business can be featured! If you listen to our podcast, you might just get a special code to make joining SIMBA even cheaper.
Meet Our Members
SIMBA members have invested in making our community a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous place in which to Live Local! Learn more about becoming a SIMBA Member!
Sustaining Member Spotlight: Coil Studio is a welcoming movement arts space in downtown Spokane offering yoga, dance, and aerial arts classes for all ages and levels. Coil Studio focuses on community, inclusivity, and fun, with classes like aerial silks, acro yoga, and belly dance. You are likely to run into other SIMBA members and even our own Executive Director taking classes there.
Supporting Member Mentions: Feast World Kitchen, Biomethane LLC, North Monroe Business District, Advanta Insurance, Electric Photoland, and Nectar Catering and Events
Grant & Loan Opportunities
In our ongoing commitment to supporting the success of the local businesses we serve, SIMBA actively seeks out grant opportunities that align with their needs! We can assist in navigating the application process, offering guidance and support every step of the way. If you want help applying for any of these grants, simply complete this short intake form. Grants are RARE for for-profit businesses outside of research fields, so make sure to apply for grants that may be available.
Farm to School Purchasing Grants
The Washington State Department of Agriculture offers reimbursement grants to help schools and childcare programs buy Washington-grown foods for child nutrition programs, supporting local farmers and culturally relevant meals.
Grants from $1,000 – $300,000
Grant period through June 30, 2027 | Application deadline July 3, 2025
For schools, childcare centers, and tribal early learning programs participating in USDA Child Nutrition Programs or operated by federally recognized tribes
The STREETS Global Awards celebrate early-stage social enterprises in hospitality and tourism that drive positive social impact. Open to mission-driven organizations in their first 1–5 years, the awards recognize innovation, sustainability, and community empowerment. Two $10,000 awards are available:
Alan Spanier Impact Award: For youth development in tourism.
STREETS Social Enterprise Award: For excellence in hospitality and tourism.
The application process offers mentorship, visibility, and feedback to strengthen storytelling and financial transparency. Finalists will be announced in November, with winners celebrated in December. Applications are open from May 15 to August 15, 2025.
More Opportunities for Small Businesses
New Free Resource for Small Businesses: Cyber Hygiene Assessments
EWU Cybersecurity has launched Small Business Cyber WA, a free program offering virtual cyber hygiene assessments for Washington State small businesses. In just 45 minutes, businesses can receive a personalized report with steps to improve cybersecurity. Those who complete the process (assessment + 2 surveys) will also get a 2-month license to a cybersecurity training platform for their team.
Learn more at www.smallbusinesscyberwa.org and help spread the word!
Upcoming Events
Featured SIMBA Event
What’s Your Next Funding Move? A Free Workshop for Small Businesses & Nonprofits
Feeling stuck or overwhelmed in your search for funding? You’re not alone. What’s Your Next Funding Move? Strategies for Success is a free, 60-minute workshop designed to help small businesses and nonprofits gain clarity, direction, and confidence in navigating funding opportunities.
Date & Time: Tuesday, July 8 | 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Location: Liberty Park Library, 402 S. Pittsburg St.
Facilitator: Robin Haynes, Executive Director of
This session will offer:
Practical guidance on identifying and approaching funding sources
Introductions to helpful professional contacts
Resources to support long-term planning and sustainability
Free to attend — registration requested.
Open to stakeholders from Spokane’s four Neighborhood Business Districts.
Hosted by the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation and funded by the City of Spokane ARPA Neighborhood Business District Grant, with support from StartUp Spokane.
Questions? Contact Josh Cleveland at josh@preservewa.org.
Business Tip
Did you know?
Under Washington State law, you must register as a contractor with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) if you perform any of the following work, or even offer or bid to do it:
Alter, repair, or construct property
Supervise or consult on construction projects
Improve, move, demolish, or wreck property
Add to or subtract from real property
Install cabinets or remove trees
Flip houses
In addition to registration, state law also requires all construction contractors to be bonded and insured to protect the public. You can register as either a general contractor or a specialty contractor, depending on the type of work you plan to do and whether you’ll hire subcontractors.
Questions?
Email: ContReg@Lni.wa.gov
Call toll-free: 1-800-647-0982
