Executive Director's Letter

In March we sent out a poll about workshops, learning, and gathering requests so we can better serve our Eastern Washington small businesses and nonprofits with what they want and need for their small businesses. Here’s what we heard:

We want to network! SIMBA’s next member meetup is June 17 at Emma Rue’s. We currently only provide networking events for members, but we’re open to offering a networking event or two for our non-member clients and community members. SIMBA Memberships are an incredible value, include networking, 1:1 consultations, marketing, and more.
We want hybrid workshops! Done. We recently acquired something like an “Owl” to be able to better run hybrid workshops, and we’ll try to ensure most workshops have a hybrid option.
We want workshops on Mondays and Thursdays! Those were the most common dates selected from responders, and I prefer Monday or Thursday myself. I take great care to block my calendar for the things I care about in my personal life (and so should you), and Tuesday and Wednesday nights are never an option for me. We’ve moved Business Bites, our monthly 30-minute Zoom session to the 2nd Monday of the Month starting this month, with an actual hour session that is an open Q&A to answer all your business questions.
We want to learn about business finances, taxes, and bookkeeping. We will continue to host workshops on these topics, but in the interim, we have workshops on federal tax prep, state business tax filings, bookkeeping, and more free and on-demand on our YouTube channel. Watch from the comfort of your own home or office.

We want to offer you what you want and need as entrepreneurs, small business owners, and nonprofit leaders, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team with ideas. Many thanks to those who responded to our poll, and congratulations to our friend Bekah Vieira from Earthling Goods (who makes the coolest spoon rings) for winning a $25 gift card to Bellwether Brewing.

What do you want to learn as a business owner? How can we help you learn it?

Warmly, Robin (robin@spokaneindependent.org)

SIMBA Members, Staff, and Board gathered at The Meeting House on March 13 for a coffee and collaborative gathering before starting our workdays. Look for our next member social coming in June at Emma Rue’s!

SIMBA UPDATES

CALL FOR SPONSORS!

Be part of the magic at SIMBA Circus on May 16th at The Guardian! Enjoy aerial performances, appetizers & drinks, a silent auction, and more— all supporting local and independent entrepreneurs, businesses, and nonprofits in Eastern Washington.

Sponsorships start at $50, and some are already sold out—grab yours now! Options include Program Sponsors, Bar Sponsors, Venue Sponsors, Catering Sponsors, and more. Each with perks like VIP tickets, program placement, and social shoutouts.

Become A sponsor

Step Right Up… Tickets for the SIMBA Circus are HERE! Early Bird Prices End Today (unless you’re a member):

General Admission (Early Bird $50) – $65
Your ticket gets you in on all the fun: a drink, food, coat check, photobooth access, and general seating to enjoy the show.

VIP Front 2 Row (Early Bird $75) – $100
Get the full experience: early entry at 5:30 PM, premium seating in the front two rows, a drink ticket, a complimentary champagne skirt drink, food, coat check, a gift bag, photobooth access, and first dibs on the silent auction.

Balcony Buyout (Early Bird $1,000) – $1,500 (for 8 guests)
Your own private balcony with unbeatable views of aerial performances, drinks for everyone, exclusive food upstairs, one pour of champagne served by our aerialist performers per guest, private bathroom access, a gift bag, and all the VIP perks.

Limited tickets + all sales are final.

GET TICKETS

GET YOUR GOLDEN TICKETS NOW!

Secure your Golden Ticket early and get a chance to pick your favorite silent auction package before the winning bids are announced! Your purchase supports SIMBA’s mission—we’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN# 82-4824582), and your donation is tax-deductible. Must be present to win.

Early Bird Pricing:

1 Ticket – $35
3 Tickets – $75

Day-of-Event Pricing: $50 per ticket (available at the event)

Grab your Golden Tickets now and get ready for a night of fun and giving back!

Get three golden tickets

GET One golden ticket

Current 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.

Maker’s Mindset Spring 2026 Grant

The Maker’s Mindset Grant is designed to support entrepreneurs and small business owners who are building creative, community-focused, or impact-driven businesses. This seasonal grant provides funding, along with visibility and support, for businesses ready to grow. Some general details:

Grant funding amounts vary depending on the applicant pool and available funds;
Open to small business owners, entrepreneurs, and creatives across a variety of industries;
Focuses on businesses with strong vision, purpose, and community impact;
Application requires details about your business, mission, and how funds will be used;
Typically favors businesses that demonstrate innovation, resilience, and clear growth potential.

Deadline April 10, 2026. Learn more here!

Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant
The Kitty Fund Grant, offered by Founders First CDC, is a national micro-grant program designed to support mother-owned businesses that are creating jobs and growing revenue. This grant combines funding with business training to help entrepreneurs scale sustainably. Some general details:

Provides $1,000 micro-grants to selected finalists, with a total fund of around $20,000 distributed across recipients;
Open to mom entrepreneurs who are CEOs, Presidents, or business owners of U.S.-based businesses;
Business must have between 2–100 employees and generate under $5 million in annual revenue;
Must be in business for at least 1 year;
Grant funds can be used flexibly for business needs like operations, staffing, marketing, or growth;

Finalists also receive access to business accelerator programs (like Passport or Zebra Leadership) focused on scaling, leadership, and operations.

Deadline April 14, 2026. Learn more here!

Enthuse Foundation Grant Program
The Enthuse Foundation Grant Program provides funding to women entrepreneurs in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) space to support critical business needs. These grants are designed to help founders grow sustainably while addressing both business and personal financial challenges. Some general details:

Multiple grants are offered, typically ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, depending on the category
Open to women entrepreneurs with an established CPG (consumer packaged goods) business
Business must be the founder’s full-time job and based in the United States
Applicants must demonstrate financial need and provide a clear plan for how funds will be used
Cannot have previously received funding from the Enthuse Foundation grant or pitch programs
Grants are category-specific and may cover areas like digital marketing, business tools, insurance, healthcare, professional services, and more

Applications for the 2026 cycle are open from March 9 to April 27, with recipients announced in June. Learn more here!

Upcoming Events

**Know your Commercial Lease**
This FREE workshop covers the basics of commercial tenant rights, common lease terms, red flags to watch for, and ways to protect your business before signing or renewing a lease. Attendees will learn what to look for, what questions to ask, and gain practical knowledge that’s useful for any business tenant.
**Date & Time:** April 20, 2026 | 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
**Location:** Spokane Public Library - Hillyard
4110 N Cook St, Spokane, WA 99207

Zoom Option Available
This event is hosted in partnership with SBRN and StartUp Spokane.

RSVP HERE!

Business Tip

Business Tip #1: Protections for Isolated Workers in Washington State

Washington law requires certain employers to provide specific protections for isolated employees, including those working in hotels, motels, retail, security, and property services.

An “isolated worker” could be an employee such as a janitor, security guard, housekeeper, or room service attendant who spends a majority of their working hours alone without a coworker or supervisor nearby.

Employers with isolated employees must:

Provide a panic button for immediate assistance in emergencies.
Panic buttons must be easy to carry, simple to activate, effective in signaling emergencies, and reliably functional in all work locations and shifts.

Adopt a written sexual harassment policy.
The policy should address prevention, reporting procedures, and protections against retaliation.

Share resources and contact information for reporting harassment or assault.
Employers must provide contact information for:

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Washington State Human Rights Commission
Local advocacy organizations focused on preventing harassment and assault

Provide training to managers, supervisors, and isolated employees.
Training must cover harassment prevention, panic button use, and employee protections for reporting violations. Training must be documented and made available to Labor & Industries upon request.

Additional requirements for property services contractors (commercial janitorial entities).
Property services contractors must submit annual reports to L&I that include policy adoption dates, training participation numbers, and worksite information.

The Washington State Human Rights Commission provides guidance on creating sexual harassment, assault, and discrimination policies and training programs. Employers may not take adverse action against employees for exercising their protected rights under the law.

Learn more:Isolated Worker Protections – L&I

Business Tip #2: Know the Rules on Non-Compete Agreements in Washington

Washington’s non-competition law (RCW 49.62) explains when a non-compete agreement is legally valid in the state. Employers have to meet certain legal requirements for the agreement to be enforceable.

Income Thresholds

Under Washington law, only employees or independent contractors who earn above specific income thresholds may be subject to a non-competition agreement. If an individual’s earnings fall below the applicable threshold, the non-compete agreement is considered void and unenforceable.

These income thresholds are adjusted every year for inflation by the Department of Labor & Industries. For 2026, the thresholds are:

Employees: $126,858.83
Independent Contractors: $317,147.09

Business owners should review existing non-compete agreements to ensure they comply with these requirements and reflect the most recent threshold updates.

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office maintains a labor and antitrust resource page with guidance on non-compete agreements, including answers to frequently asked questions. Businesses and workers may also contact the Attorney General’s Office with questions or to report potential violations.

Staying informed about Washington’s non-compete laws can help businesses reduce legal risk and ensure compliance with current state regulations.

Learn more:Washington Non-Compete Agreements

Have questions?
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries – Small Business Office
Email: SmallBusiness@Lni.wa.gov
Toll-free: 1-800-987-0145

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