September 2026 | ROAR Newsletter
Executive Director's Letter
“Business decisions are values decisions.” Nichole June Maher, President & CEO of Inatai Foundation
If you’ve spent any time with me, you’ve heard me talk about voting with your dollar. Simply put, spend your money with businesses and service providers whose values align with yours, who offer products and services you want to see in your community, and who care about their customer’s experience and not just the bottom line. This means shopping at your local coffee shop and not Starbucks; skipping your next “prime” purchase and buying small; and visiting your local, employee-owned grocery store instead of a national chain. It doesn’t mean being perfect and making sure every dollar “votes” correctly - we are all far too busy stretching limited budgets to support ourselves and our loved ones. But, it does require intentional, hard decisions. Even inconvenient decisions. It’s also voting with your time, our most valuable resource.
For business owners, it’s more than where you spend your income. It’s also how you timely you pay local vendors; if you hire local vendors at all; how you treat your employees; and how you prioritize your customers. It’s where you choose to spend your time - are you in store or with customers or busy handling admin? It’s how you respond to customer complaints and concerns - do you handle them the same way you handle customer compliments? It’s how you choose to learn as a business owner - are you seeking professional support (like with a SIMBA business consultation or an expert-led workshop) or relying on AI*? It’s how you support other local business owners - are you going to their brewery or liking their social media posts? Importantly, it’s also how you hold the people you work with accountable to what matters to you as person and a business owner - that’s what Nichole and Inatai did very recently and very publicly.
For all of us, our dollars and time are limited. I’d much rather spend my time browsing a local bookstore, walking to a local ice cream shop, and sharing the social media posts of business owners and nonprofits living in, working in, and supporting my community. It’s spending a bit more money on a handmade candle poured by someone I know than buying a 3-pack of generic scents at a chain store. So tell me, how are you going to vote with your dollars or your time in October?
Warm Regards, Robin
*I stand by my prior ED letter assertion that the only AI that I support is Allen Iverson; there’s a reason they called him “The Answer.”
A photo of staff members Emily Phelps, Robin Haynes, and Alexis McLaughlin during this year’s Fête en Rouge, hosted by SIMBA member Vested. The annual event supports a woman-focused non-profit, and is hosted at The Greenhouse on Harvard. Photo credit: Emily Star Poole.
SIMBA UPDATES
Introducing SIMBA Shares: SIMBA Members Supporting Small Businesses!
Thanks to the hardwork of our incredible Membership Engagement Committee, we’re thrilled to introduce SIMBA Shares. SIMBA Shares allows members a way to expand access to business support for new and growing businesses thoughout our Spokane and Eastern Washington. Every SIMBA Business Membership includes a certain number of annual 1:1 consultations, but not every member uses all of their allotted consultations. Rather than letting those sessions go unused, SIMBA Shares gives existing business members the option to donate their unused consultations to a shared community pool.
How It Works
A member with unused consulations can choose to donate one, some, or all of their available consultations to be used during your membership year. Once the consults are donated, SIMBA’s business support staff will share those donated sessions with businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits that could benefit from one-on-one support, including:
Referrals from partner organizations, such as Startup Spokane, Neighborhood Business Districts, and others
Entrepreneurs who face financial barriers to accessing a paid consultation
Businesses identified through targeted outreach, including BIPOC-, women-, veteran-, LGBTQIA2S+-, and immigrant/refugee-owned businesses, consistent with SIMBA’s mission of inclusive and diverse business ownerships
Referrals from community events and other local partners
We will let the business receiving the SIMBA Shares consult know that a SIMBA Member business has sponsored the consultation fee. Members can also choose to remain anonymous when donating, if they prefer.
Want to Participate?
Existing SIMBA Members can fill out our short SIMBA Shares Consultation Donation Form to let us know how many consultations you’d like to share or email members@spokaneindependent.org. We'll also reach out to each SIMBA business member at the 6-month mark to check-in about the number of remaining consults, and ask if you'd like to donate them to the SIMBA Shares program. Donating your member consults are always optional. Donated consulations are offered on a first-come, first-serve to those seeking business and nonprofit support - we will not hold or create a waitlist, and donating members cannot direct where their donated consultations go.
If you have any questions about SIMBA Shares, feel free to reach out to us at members@spokaneindependent.org.
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.
The No Child Left Inside (NCLI) grant supports outdoor education and recreation opportunities for underserved youth across Washington.
Grants range from $5,000 to $150,000;
Eligible applicants include community-based programs, nonprofits, community programs, schools, tribes, and local agencies;
Projects can include camping, environmental education, hiking, water activities, and outdoor recreation;
Applications are expected to open February 17, 2027, with applications due April 15, 2027. Learn more and apply here.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation Grants
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation grants provide grants to for-profit and nonprofit organizations focused on: early childcare and early childhood education; healthcare access for mothers, birthing persons, and babies; food equity, food grower support, and good food access; workforce develop and career access; and/or reacial equity work.
Grants are available on a rolling basis;
Grants are awarded at $10,000 and up;
Grant decisions are made in a 60-day time period and bigen with a Letter of Intent. Learn more and apply here.
Upcoming Events
Beyond the Business: Retirement Planning Strategies for Entrepreneurs with Noah Schwab
Your business may be your biggest asset — but is it your retirement plan? In this practical, education-focused session, a Certified Financial Planner (“CFP”) walks early-stage entrepreneurs and existing business owners through the retirement planning fundamentals that often get overlooked in the startup hustle. Topics include account options like SIMPLE IRAs and Solo 401(k)s, balancing reinvestment with long-term savings, and building a retirement roadmap that grows with your company. This workshop is for the full-time business owner, and the owner with a day job and a growing side hustle.
Noah Schwab is a CFP and owner of SIMBA Member Stewardship Concepts Financial Services in Spokane, WA. He specializes in retirement planning, Roth conversions, and
personal finances for small business owners and retirees. Noah serves as a fee-only, fiduciary advisor — meaning his guidance is always in his clients' best interest.
Date & Time: Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Location: Spokane Public Library - Central (Events A/B)
Cost: FREE
906 W. Main Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
Zoom Option
This event is not being recorded, so please prioritize attending in person or on Zoom.
Find more SIMBA events here on our Events’ Page.
Business Tip: Rehiring Employees? Don't Forget Paid Sick Leave
If you rehire an employee within 12 months of their separation, Washington State law requires you to reinstate any previously accrued, unused paid sick leave.When the employee returns, you must also notify them of the amount of paid sick leave available for their use.
One exception: If you compensated the employee for their unused paid sick leave at the time of separation at a rate equal to or greater than their normal hourly compensation, you are not required to reinstate those hours.
Taking a few minutes to review employee leave records before rehiring can help keep your business compliant and avoid surprises later.
Learn more: Paid Sick Leave
Have questions?
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries – Small Business Office
Email: SmallBusiness@Lni.wa.gov
Toll-free: 1-800-987-0145
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 Highlight: The Scoop, a locally owned ice cream shop in Spokane, has been crafting inventive, handcrafted flavors since 2003. With locations on South Hill and in Kendall Yards, the shop was started by owner Jennifer Davis, who has cultivated a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere. The Scoop offers a variety of dairy, vegan, and gluten‑free options, alongside fresh Liege waffles and espresso beverages, all made with high-quality ingredients and a commitment to community.
Supporting & Non-Profit Member Mentions: Sculpt Lymphatics, Let's Get Sewing, Spokane Pest Pro, Spokane Public Library, Arctos Coffee & Roasting Co., Vertical Elements Entertainment, Crystal Madsen Photography, Creative Catch Studio, and Fuel to Thrive.
Individual Members: Alex Lacy, Alexis McLaughlin, Emily Arneson, Flor Castaneda, Gabrielle Calcaterra, Lina Roncancio, Louis Di Mauro, Robin Haynes, Sadae Lortz, William Morkill, and Zach Brown.
