SBA Administrator visits Seattle District
A highlight this week was a visit from SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. With a busy visit scheduled, Guzman arrived ready to hear firsthand how our local small business community has recovered from the pandemic. Joined by Seattle district leaders and PNW Regional Administrator Mike Fong, Administrator Guzman's visit featured local businesses including the 5th Avenue Theater and Neumos in Seattle, both of whom re-opened their doors with help from SBA's Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG). Administrator Guzman also met with Governor Jay Inslee at the London Plane restaurant to listen to the impact they experienced over the past 2 years, and how the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RFF) helped keep their doors open. The tour continued to the Montlake construction project on SR 520, with an emphasis on the contracting opportunities that large projects create for small businesses. Additionally, along with Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, Administrator Guzman was sure to stop in to see our Washington and Pacific NW Small Business Person of the Year, Efrem Fesaha of Boon Boona Coffee.
 SBA Administrator Guzman and PNW Regional Administrator Mike Fong visit Montlake/SR520 construcion site.
 SBA Administrator Guzman visits with Efrem Fesaha at Boon Boona Coffee
SBA pilots Ascent program for rural woman-owned small businesses
The Ascent Pilot is the first of its kind no cost program that will be a combination of online, self-guided learning using the Ascent platform and group virtual sessions using the Teams platform. Participants in the first cohort will be chosen from applicants who have been in business for less than five years and report an average yearly revenue of less than $50,000.
Ascent’s group virtual sessions will provide a forum where program participants will meet with other women who have been selected for the Ascent cohort with representation from across the nation. During the Ascent Pilot Program, the virtual sessions will be presented in an interactive workshop format where subject matter experts in business, finance and contracting will discuss the Ascent modules, as well as share information that small business owners need to know to start, grow and succeed.
Interested in more information? Join the SBA Office of Rural Affairs for a free information session. Information sessions will take place daily from July 18-22.
July is Independent Retailer Month. Learn how the SBA can help you start or grow your independent retail operation.
Independent retailers are a cornerstone of any local economy: They serve as the foundation for thriving, sustainable communities by creating jobs, providing services, and recirculating revenue. This July, as we celebrate Independent Retailer Month, there is as much optimism as ever for the outlook of the retail industry in general. In fact, the National Retail Federation expects retail sales will grow between 6 and 8% this year — substantially higher than the 10-year, pre-pandemic growth rate of 3.7% — and small, independent retailers stand to benefit. With this level of anticipated growth, now is a great time to consider the next steps for your independent retail operation.
If you’ve been thinking about starting or growing your own business, the SBA is here for you. There are a variety of resources that you can leverage to build your unique brand from the ground up — or to expand upon what is already there. This Independent Retailer Month, learn more about the following services and programs from the SBA.
- Operating a business and interested in accessing capital, guidance on financial management, marketing techniques, and strategic planning? Washington's SBDC network offers workshops, trainings, and counselors that will have you covered.
- Have a great idea and ready to turn it into a marketable business? SCORE business mentors offer no-cost assistance for planning, launching, managing, and growing a small business.
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Women's Business Centers work to level the playing field for women entrepreneurs by helping them launch new business and compete in the marketplace.
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Veteran's Business Centers serve as one-stop shops for the veteran and military community members whose next mission is entrepreneurship. Access business training, workshops, resource referrals, and more.
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Microloans and technical assistance from Business Impact NW and Ventures
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SBA guarantees loans by working with participating lenders, reducing their risk and increasing the likelihood that your loan will be approved.
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Upcoming Webinar
Do you write social media posts? Emails? Thank-you cards? In an era of text-shorthand, Tweets, and “writing how we talk”, meaningful word selection to create syntax has deteriorated. Whether writing for persuasion, information, or expression, join WSBDC to relearn some of writing’s forgotten guidelines as well as some specific how-to's which can immediately elevate your writing game to Boss Level.
In this webinar, learn how to:
- Stop minimizing the effect of “please” and “thank you”
- Replace over-used words and phrases, such as the momentum-killing, “let me know”
- Make employees and customers feel like your #1 priority
Learn best practices for results-driven writing that empowers your stakeholders to action
America's Seed Fund Week is a collaborative series of events connecting entrepreneurs working on advanced technologies and the organizations that support them to the country’s largest source of early-stage funding – America’s Seed Fund, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Whether you’re a new entrepreneur, existing small business, or entrepreneur support organization, join the America's Seed Fund Week virtual event on July 18-22, 2022 to hear directly from federal agency program managers that invest over $4 billion in over 7,000 new awards annually and celebrate 40 years of small business innovation.
 Tuesday, July 19
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. | Entrepreneurs' Roadmap Series: Business Writing that Commands
9 - 9:45 a.m. | Grow with a Pro (Insurance Professional)*
Monday, July 18
3:30 - 6 p.m. | July Grant Writing Clinic
Wednesday, July 20
2 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Your Business Journey: Get Started!
Tuesday July 26
9 - 9:45 a.m. | Grow with a Pro (Legal Professional)*
10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. | Power Connect: LGBTQ+ Business Networking
Thursday, July 28
10 - 11:30 a.m. | Candid Conversations: SBA's 8(a) Small Business Development Program
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Small Business Cybersecurity Part 3: Systems
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Business Expert Session: Disability, Inclusion & Accessibility*
*SBA's participation or support is not an endorsement of any product, service, or entity
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