Executive Director's Letter

Is everyone feeling as overwhelmed as we are with the non-stop news cycle? Not knowing what information is true or even where to find it is a constant battle, and it's one we discuss regularly at SIMBA. The small businesses and entrepreneurs we support at members and clients don't know where to get started on finding answers to questions like: Do I need a business license? What is SEO? How to I file and pay my Washington State business taxes?

We've spent much of July working on solutions to at least centralize information for independent and local businesses in Eastern Washington. We want to be your trusted resource for small business news and resources (and regulations). If you read last month's newsletter, you know we were pausing a bit to refocus to better provide information in a clear and concise way, and here's what we've come up with so far:

We are going to expand our FREE video library with professionally recorded and edited shorter sessions on topics like crowdfunding and business insurance;
We're bringing back our monthly Business Bites series with 30-minute Zoom trainings on quick topics (these are recorded and added to the library);
We've clarified and expanded our membership offerings; AND
We're rolling out new business focused products in the coming months, including LLC Formations, Social Media Templates, and more.

What does your small business need to succeed? I'd love to hear from you.

Warm regards, Robin (robin@spokaneindependent.org)

*SIMBA Executive Director Robin Haynes leads a training on sustainable funding options for your small business in conjunction with* *StartUp Spokane* *and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation as part of the* *City's Spokane Neighborhood District Grant* *training series.*

SIMBA Updates

**We’re excited to announce our very first Live Local INW Market!**
We’ve invited local businesses and makers to join us as vendors for this community-focused event. We have a robust, outdoor market during the summer season in Eastern Washington, but our small makers and artisans have limited options once the weather turns cold, wet, or rainy. We wanted to offer an alternative to online and social media sales to our local vendors as we head into fall. We'll be hosting the event at The Guardian Spokane, owned by Ashley Werner who also owns SIMBA Member Vertical Elements. We'll have a fantastic coffee vendor - Kape Cha - serving up tasty beverages like ube lattes and matcha; chill music vibes, prizes, and more. We'll also be highlighting our SIMBA Members at an informational table so you can learn about the goods and services offered by our incredible, values-aligned, and locally-focused Member Businesses.

**Date:** Saturday, September 13, 2025
**Time** 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
**Location:** The Guardian Spokane 1403 N. Washington St., Spokane, WA 99201
**No Admission Fee!**

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:**
Badass Bitters
is a Spokane-based company crafting small-batch, all-natural bitters that elevate cocktails and support digestion. Woman-owned and inspired by herbalism, their blends are made with organic ingredients, no artificial additives, and a whole lot of attitude.

Supporting Member Mentions: The Lotus Spokane, Jenn Marquis Photography, Rogue Heart Media, Evergreen Refillery, Kaizen Catalyst, and Compassion Catering.

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.

Hey Helen Grant| $5,000 for Women Entrepreneurs

The Hey Helen Grant offers $5,000 in unrestricted funding to women-identified entrepreneurs running impact-driven, for-profit businesses in the U.S. An additional $1,000 may be awarded in high-application rounds.

Deadline: August 29, 2025
Eligibility: Women or nonbinary (AFAB) business owners making $25K–$1M annually

Learn more & apply here!

AT&T She’s Connected Grant Opportunity

AT&T’s She’s Connected Small Business Contest supports women-owned U.S. businesses with up to $50,000 in funding, plus a year of AT&T service and a device. Four runners-up receive $5,000 microgrants each

Deadline: September 30, 2025
Eligibility: Must be a woman-owned business registered in the U.S. with 50 or fewer employees, and owned by someone 18 or older

Learn more & apply here!