Executive Director's Letter

Last month, I had the pleasure of receiving an invite to the The Foundhers Hour, an event hosted by Aileen Link of Etta Interiors. I was initially reluctant to attend, as the event focused on women in the interior designer and architecture space, but I couldn't resist the panel of successful women business owners who were the speakers at the first event held at The Conservatory in Vinegar Flats because I knew much of their advice would resonate across industries for the small business owners and entrepreneurs we support every day at SIMBA.

Among the great advice for business owners - know your finances, say no to that difficult client, hire for things you cannot do well yourself - was a comment that really stuck with me from Erin Haskell of Design for the PPL - "Entrepreneurship is not for everyone." Erin went on to explain that starting and running a business is draining on your time, sanity, and your finances at different stages, and that the predictability of a steady paycheck from an employer that is not you is often the best choice. At SIMBA, we regularly meet with business owners in the 0-5 years of business ownership - often the toughest times to run a business. Having a great idea or a great skill is not enough to be successful; you need more time than you're putting into your day job; you need startup capital that you more than likely have to raise yourself; you need to understand business financials and compliance (like licensing and state taxes); and if you're leaping employed by an employer to self-employed, you need to be ready to support your own wages and that of any staff members you have (and you get paid last). None of it is easy, and it's okay if you decide it's not for you.

If you're ready to make that leap to self-employment through business ownership, we're here to help. We understand if you want to keep your day job, though.

Warm regards, Robin (robin@spokaneindependent.org)

*SIMBA Member* *Mountain Top Mentality* *(co-owner David Borrelli is on our Board) and our Executive Director are enjoying SIMBA Member* *Electric Photoland's* *booth at our first-ever Live Local INW Market this month at SIMBA Member* *The Guardian Spokane*.

SIMBA Updates

**SIMBA Now Offers Virtual Business Mailing Services**
Running a home-based business in Spokane County? Protect your privacy and streamline your mail with SIMBA’s **Virtual Mailing Services**.

**What are virtual mailing services?**

Our service allows you to use SIMBA’s address as your business mailing address, so you can:
Protect your home address
Avoid spam mail
Receive timely PDF copies of all mail within **one business day**
Access a City of Spokane address for your business
We’ll also screen out spam and scam mailings so you can focus on running your business—not sorting your inbox.

**Who is this for?**

This service is ideal for sole proprietorships or d/b/as operating in Spokane County. LLCs or Corporations can use it through our registered agent services. This is only for business mailing!

**Pricing:**
$20/month or 6 months for $75 (paid in advance)
$15/month for Supporting, Nonprofit, and Student business members or 6 months for $50 (paid in advance)
**Free for Sustaining & Sponsoring Members!**
**Questions or ready to sign up?** Email **info@spokaneindependent.org** or complete the short sign-up form linked below!

Sign Up Here

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:** Lejit Creative is a Spokane-based design and marketing studio dedicated to helping businesses stand out with fresh, authentic, and impactful branding. They specialize in graphic design, web design, and creative strategy that capture the heart of a business and connect with its audience.

Supporting Member Mentions: Vertical Elements Entertainment, Aesthetic Coterie, SpokeAnna, Let's Get Sewing, Arctos Coffee, and Evolving Guys.

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.

Fifteen Percent Pledge Achievement Award

Three Black-owned e-commerce businesses will receive a total of $250,000 in no-strings grant funding, plus mentorship and pro bono consulting. The top winner earns $200,000, with $35,000 and $15,000 awarded to the runners-up.

Deadline: October 16, 2025
Eligibility: Black-owned (50%+ equity) U.S. e-commerce businesses with $100K+ revenue, 2–15 employees, presence on Google Shopping, and membership in the Fifteen Percent Pledge’s Business Equity Community.

Learn more & apply here

NIHCM Health Care Journalism Grants

Journalists, freelancers, media orgs, and documentary creators can compete for grants (up to $500,000 total across projects) to support health reporting, visual storytelling, educational media, and public engagement work on U.S. health care topics.

Deadline: October 27, 2025
Eligibility: U.S.–focused work; open to journalists in print, digital, broadcast, nonprofit, or for‐profit outlets; freelancers; universities, nonprofits, and documentary filmmakers also considered.

Learn more & apply here

Intuit QuickBooks® and Mailchimp® Small Business Hero Program

Celebrate a small business in your community that has demonstrated courage, perseverance, and integrity. Nominate them for a chance to win a $20,000 grant and additional resources to help them grow and thrive.

Deadline: May 15, 2026
Eligibility: Open to small businesses located and operating in the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Nominees must have been established for at least one year, have no more than 99 employees, and be in good legal standing.

Nominate a Small Business Hero for their chance to win a $20,000 (USD) grant with additional resources.