Business Impact NW

Grow and Thrive (Spring 2025)
2025-02-13 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Grow & Thrive is a structured mentor program with expert guidance & advice, perfect for any business owner who wants to take their business to the next level. Participants create a strategy for growth by charting a path to future success with 3–5-year objectives working with their current financial statements, operating manuals, marketing materials, etc. You will also identify issues and improve your business model and evaluate current operations to determine your path for growth. The course will conclude with pitch presentations, presented before a panel of business professionals.
This course is designed for business owners who have been in business at least a year and are averaging over $25,000 in annual sales or have completed the Launch & Grow program. Through seven, 3-hour sessions held over a 12-week period, business owners work with subject-area experts to design a plan to strategically grow their business. Additionally, they are paired with mentors and business coaches for further guidance and support. Grow & Thrive is an opportunity to share, learn, and network with other successful business owners in a small cohort setting.
This opportunity is designed to be an immersive program and is a paid course. Class fee is $299 for the course including materials.
Each participant can expect to budget 9-12 hours per session to ensure success in this class—this includes 2.5 hours of class time and 7-9 hours of “pre- & post- session work” outside of class. Sessions 1-6 meeting every 2 weeks.
Grow & Thrive Sessions:

Orientation (Feb 13)
Session One (Feb 20): Know Your Business: Strategic Assessment and Setting Goals
Session Two (Mar 6): Marketing & Sales
Session Three (Mar 20): Financial Management
Session Four (Apr 3): Resource Management: Operations
Session Five (Apr 17): Resource Management: Human Resources
Session Six (May 1): Pitch

Business Impact NW serves clients in 3 time zones. Please take note of the start time that corresponds with your location.
10:00 am – 1:00 pm PT
9:00 am – 12:00 pm AKT
11:00 am – 2:00 pm MT
Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact coaching@businessimpactnw.org or call (206) 324-4330

Renton Chamber of Commerce Drop-In Business Coaching
2025-02-13 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-03-13 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Renton Chamber of Commerce, 625 S 4th Street, Renton, WA, 98057, United States
Are you thinking of starting a business?
Do you already have a business but want it to grow?
Are you facing a business puzzle that you’d like help with?
Schedule your free 30-minute session with one of our talented business coaches!
Drop-In Coaching sessions are held at the Renton Chamber of Commerce, 625 S 4th St, Renton, WA 98057.
Note: Please limit reservations to one session.
Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact coaching@businessimpactnw.org or call (206) 324-4330 x 135

Small Business Marketing and Strategy Coaching
2025-02-14, 2025-03-14 | ONLINE
Growing your small business with a community-centric marketing strategy
Are you a Business Impact NW lending or technical assistance client ready to implement a practical marketing strategy tailored to your business?
Your $40 payment earns you 3 virtual coaching sessions with Small Business Marketing Consultant Tad Richardson, co-founder of Abundant Marketing Collective (a $450 value). With individualized coaching sessions and access to AMC’s exclusive “5 C’s” Small Business Marketing Framework, you will walk away with a roadmap to develop and execute a manageable marketing plan that will drive measurable growth for your small business through the power of community.
What you can expect from each 60-minute session:
Session 1: Learn what makes the biggest brands successful and how you can achieve great results for your small business without the benefit of a big budget!
After a brief intake to understand your business and goals, you’ll learn the fundamentals of brand-building that will set the stage for creating your own successful marketing strategy.
Session 2: Begin review of the Abundant Marketing Collective “5 C’s” marketing framework, covering topics of:

Clarity of your Brand Identity and Audience

Visual Branding
Messaging
*Homework – Messaging and Positioning Framework

Channels (Where you sell)

Website review and best practices
Social Media review and strategies
Event-based (in-person) strategies

Community engagement strategy

Identify strategic partnership opportunities
Build your own advocate network
Homework – Social Media Audience “Tune-up”

Session 3: Review of Session 2 material and homework, followed by remaining “5 C’s” material:

Content Marketing

Using your platform to engage, educate, entertain, and inform your audience
Best Practices and Resources for content creation
Benefit of engaging with 3rd party content

Calendar

Creating a manageable and effective marketing schedule
Review of scheduling platforms

Completion of all 3 Sessions earns you one additional pro-bono session with Tad.
Upon registration and payment, you will receive a direct link to Tad’s calendar to schedule a session at your convenience.
About Tad:
Tad Richardson (he/him) is a digital advertising pioneer and marketing executive, and among the first innovators of behavioral targeting and value-based marketing strategies for some of the most premier publishers and advertisers in the world. Tad is an advocate of “business for good” and a firm believer that “marketing for good” must go hand-in-hand. Applying his unique experience in enterprise marketing, small-business, community-building and fundraising, Tad has created proven community-based marketing and revenue-generating platforms for notable non-profits such as Meals on Wheels, and several stakeholders of the former Negro Baseball Leagues, including the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the Josh Gibson Foundation and the Buck Leonard Association.
Tad is a native of the Puget Sound and a lifetime resident of Washington state. He’s the co-founder of Abundant Marketing Collective (an underground team of marketing superheroes), a member of the Seattle Made makers community and a small business marketing consultant with Business Impact Northwest.

Virtual Lender's Panel: Access to Capital
2025-02-19 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Are you looking for capital for your business? Do you have unanswered questions about loans, lines of credit, or which lending product is best for your business? Do you want to know how to qualify for a commercial loan?
Join us for a panel discussion where you can get answers straight from the experts! A panel of lending experts from local area lending organizations will answer your questions about what lenders are looking for in a loan package, what questions you should bring to your banker, and tips on accessing the funding you need to grow your business.
Previous sessions have included guest panelists from:

Business Impact NW
Seattle Credit Union
Key Bank
Kiva Microloan Program – Spaceworks

Business Impact NW serves clients in 3 time zones. Please take note of the start time that corresponds with your location.
9:00 am – 10:30 am PT
8:00 am – 9:30 am AKT
10:00 am – 11:30 am MT
Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact coaching@businessimpactnw.org or call (206) 324-4330

Virtual Drop-In Business Coaching
2025-02-20 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-02-25 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-03-04 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-20 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-03-25 09:00 - 11:00, 2025-04-01 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Are you thinking of starting a business?
Do you already have a business but want it to grow?
Are you facing a business puzzle that you’d like help with?
Schedule your free 30-minute session with one of our talented business coaches!
Virtual Drop-In Coaching sessions are held via phone call.
Note: Please limit reservations to one session.
Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact coaching@businessimpactnw.org or call (206) 324-4330 x 135

Fairwood Library Drop-In Business Coaching
2025-02-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-03-17 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Fairwood Library, 17009 140th Ave SE, Renton, WA, 98058, United States
Are you thinking of starting a business?
Do you already have a business but want it to grow?
Are you facing a business puzzle that you’d like help with?
Schedule your free 30-minute session with one of our talented business coaches!
Drop-In Coaching sessions are held at the Fairwood Library, 17009 140th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98055.
Note: Please limit reservations to one session.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact coaching@businessimpactnw.org or call (206) 324-4330 x 135

Kent Panther Lake Library Drop-In Business Coaching
2025-02-24 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-17 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Kent Panther Lake Library, 20500 108th Avenue SE, Kent, WA, 98031, United States
Are you thinking of starting a business?
Do you already have a business but want it to grow?
Are you facing a business puzzle that you’d like help with?
Schedule your free 30-minute session with one of our talented business coaches!
Drop-In Coaching sessions are held at the Kent Panther Lake Library, 20500 108th Ave SE, Kent, WA 98031.
Note: Please limit reservations to one session.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact coaching@businessimpactnw.org or call (206) 324-4330 x 135

Food Biz Week 2025 - Virtual Events
2025-02-25 - 2025-02-27 | ONLINE
Growing Connections for Food and Farm Businesses
Food Biz Week is a curated experience for food and farm business owners in Washington and Oregon to learn, connect, and grow.
Join us for a dynamic mix of virtual founder interviews and an exciting in-person networking event to spotlight the stories, resources, and innovations driving success in the food and farm industries.
Virtual Event Schedule
Tuesday, February 25th – Kickoff to Innovation
Start the week with inspiring stories from food and farm entrepreneurs who turned bold ideas into thriving businesses.
Wednesday, February 26th – Fuel Your Midweek Motivation
Fuel your passion with fresh insights from entrepreneurs overcoming challenges and finding success.
Thursday, February 27th – Final Stories
End the week with two powerful interviews.
Click here to learn more about the voices behind the stories and RSVP.

Federal Way Library Drop-In Business Coaching
2025-02-27 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-27 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Federal Way Library, 34200 1st Way S, Federal Way, WA, 98003, United States
Are you thinking of starting a business?
Do you already have a business but want it to grow?
Are you facing a business puzzle that you’d like help with?
Schedule your free 30-minute session with one of our talented business coaches!
Drop-In Coaching sessions are held at the Federal Way Library, 34200 1st Way S, Federal Way, WA 98003.
Note: Please limit reservations to one session.
Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact coaching@businessimpactnw.org or call (206) 324-4330 x 135

Food Biz Week 2025 - In-Person Connections at 21 Acres Kitchen
2025-02-27 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 21 Acres, 13701 NE 171st St, Woodinville, WA, 98072
Growing Connections for Food and Farm Businesses
Food Biz Week is a curated experience for food and farm business owners in Washington and Oregon to learn, connect, and grow. Join us for an exciting in-person networking event at 21 Acres Kitchen from 6-8 PM for networking and local product tastings!
Click here to learn more and RSVP.

North Seattle College Drop-In Business Coaching
2025-03-03 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | North Seattle College’s The Grove, 9600 College Way North, Seattle, 98103, United States
Are you thinking of starting a business?
Do you already have a business but want it to grow?
Are you facing a business puzzle that you’d like help with?
Schedule your free 30-minute session with one of our talented business coaches!
Drop-In Coaching sessions are held at North Seattle College’s The Grove (Health Services and Student Resources building), 9600 College Way North, Seattle, WA 98103 – northwest corner of the building, facing the central quad and the Arts & Sciences Building. Click the link above to view a map and detailed directions.
Note: Please limit reservations to one session.
Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact coaching@businessimpactnw.org or call (206) 324-4330 x 135

Virtual Tax & Bookkeeping Coaching
2025-03-04 10:00 - 18:00, 2025-03-12 10:00 - 18:00, 2025-04-01 10:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Are you a Business Impact NW lending or technical assistance client looking for bookkeeping support?
Your $40 payment earns you 1 50-minute virtual individualized bookkeeping and tax coaching session with Lily Tran and her team at TaxUSign (a $215 value).
Types of coaching provided:
Bookkeeping

Provide mission-driven bookkeeping support to Business Impact NW clients
Provide valuable information of available accounting software
Meet with clients to set-up, review, and maintain bookkeeping systems

Tax Coaching

Use one-on-one consultations as an opportunity to review client financials plans
Provide tax coaching around which business expenses are deductible or not
Provide guidance to prepare for tax season and why record-keeping is important
Assist small businesses as they prepare to file business taxes (City, State, Federal)
Provide resources and support to improve Business Impact NW financial services, tax preparation, and basic bookkeeping
Provide resources and tools to assist small businesses in the financial and business decision-making process

Tax and Bookkeeping services are provided by Lily Tran and her Team at a discounted rate to Business Impact NW’s active registered clients. If you haven’t registered as a client with Business Impact NW, please click here to register before scheduling and submitting payment for an appointment with Lily: https://businessimpactnw.org/register/
If you are unsure if you’re a registered Business Impact NW client, please reach out to us at coaching@businessimpactnw.org for confirmation.
Once you have received email confirmation that your registration has been processed, you are welcome to schedule a session with Lily/Team.
As an Enrolled Agent licensed by the US Treasury Department, Lily Tran/TaxUSign is authorized to practice in all 50 states. There are no restrictions on their ability to work with clients to provide bookkeeping and tax coaching services in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
About Lily:
Lily Tran, EA, CTC is the Founder of TaxUSign®, a Washington State firm providing virtual tax help for whatever life throws at you. Lily is licensed by the Internal Revenue Service as an Enrolled Agent (EA), a federal program authorizing her to represent taxpayers before the IRS when it comes to audits, collections, and appeals.
Lily has over 15 years of experience in accounting, tax, consulting, and advisory services for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and corporations. Lily’s firm TaxUSign® provides high-quality, personal service resulting in significant tax savings, strategic business growth and tax compliance, and immeasurable peace of mind for her clients. She is a member of National Association of Enrolled Agents, Washington State of Enrolled Agents, American Society of Tax Problem Solvers, and National Association of Tax Professionals.

Kent Chamber of Commerce Drop-In Business Coaching
2025-03-05 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-04-02 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Kent Chamber of Commerce, 524 W Meeker St Ste 1, Kent, WA, 98032, United States
Are you thinking of starting a business?
Do you already have a business but want it to grow?
Are you facing a business puzzle that you’d like help with?
Schedule your free 30-minute session with one of our talented business coaches!
Drop-In Coaching sessions are held at the Kent Chamber of Commerce, 524 W Meeker St, Ste 1, Kent, WA 98032.
Note: Please limit reservations to one session.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact coaching@businessimpactnw.org or call (206) 324-4330 x 135

Umoja CoWorking Alaska Drop-In Business Coaching
2025-03-12 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Anchorage) | Umoja CoWorking & Incubator, 3001 Porcupine Dr, Anchorage, AK, 99501, United States
Are you an Alaska entrepreneur or business owner looking for guidance and answers to questions about finances, funding, or general business questions?
Are you thinking of starting a business?
Do you already have a business but want it to grow?
Are you facing a business puzzle that you’d like help with?
Schedule your free 30-minute session with one of our talented business coaches!
Drop-In Coaching sessions are held at Umoja CoWorking & Incubator, 3001 Porcupine Drive, Anchorage, AK 99501.
Note: Please limit reservations to one session.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact coaching@businessimpactnw.org or call (206) 324-4330 x 135

Business Excellence Session: Unlocking Opportunities: Working with the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program
2025-03-12 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | ONLINE
Topic: Unlocking Opportunities: Working with the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program

Description: This session provides information on the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program, focusing on key areas relevant to potential business engagement. We will examine NAICS codes associated with the types of businesses and scope areas that are anticipated for the Program in the future. Additional topics covered will include the Program’s current proposed construction sequencing, timelines, as well as an overview of construction packages and information on the contracting processes utilized by the four project owners. We will also have a few specific examples of the types of businesses that have worked on the project to date.
Speakers: Samir Randolph, Small Business Outreach Senior Manager, and Barbi Alexander, DBE and Workforce Equity Compliance Specialist

Samir Randolph is Small Business Outreach Senior Manager at the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) program. He brings over two decades of experience in business development, workforce equity, and community engagement, with a career spanning political campaigns, public service, startup consulting, and workforce development. Samir is a veteran of two presidential campaigns, serving key operational roles for President Obama’s 2008 and Clinton’s 2016 campaigns. Throughout his career, he has led outreach, training and workforce development for small businesses at both the federal and local levels, including at the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and Clackamas Workforce Partnership. At IBR, he helps small business owners overcome barriers by accessing resources and business opportunities, building strategic networks, and providing technical assistance, while working to address systemic inequities and create fair opportunities for workers. Driven by a strong belief in the potential of entrepreneurs, Samir finds fulfillment in helping them succeed and contributing to a more prosperous and equitable regional economy.

Barbi (Barbara) Alexander currently serves as the DBE and Workforce Equity Compliance Specialist on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program and has over 10 years of small, disadvantaged, disabled and veteran-owned business support, education and expertise she brings to the IBR program. Barbi’s background includes over 20 years of leading cutting edge medical research, specializing in areas of Neurology and Rheumatology.
Barbi brings her expert skills of communication, systems analysis and creation of operational paradigms to bring accountability and compliance in the areas of performance improvement and program design to her work on the IBR program. Of note, Barbi was awarded an Oregon Genius Award by the Oregon Public Health Administration in 2005 for her groundbreaking medical education program and conference, “Bridging the Gap – Addressing Health Disparities in Minority and Underserved Populations”. Barbi also has publications in Neurology – American Academy of Neurology, JAMA and Nature. She has actively served as a Multnomah County Planning Commissioner since 2022 and serves as Chair on the Portland Public Schools Climate Crisis Response Committee and is a happy gardener and baseball fan.
Business Excellence Sessions are a series of virtual educational workshops designed to address the unique challenges businesses face in their daily operations and their journey toward overall success. Among the most common challenges are legal, financial, and contracting obstacles. These sessions aim to provide entrepreneurs with a platform to learn, grow, and apply practical knowledge to enhance their businesses. Participants will also gain insight into other community resources and opportunities available now or in the near future. Topics can cover services, opportunities in development, or essential information small businesses need to know.

Business Impact NW serves clients in 3 time zones. Please take note of the start time that corresponds with your location.
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm PT
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm AKT
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm MT
Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact coaching@businessimpactnw.org or call (206) 324-4330

Valdez Free Drop-in Business Coaching
2025-03-19 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Anchorage) | Valdez Consortium Library Conference Room. 212 Fairbanks, Valdez, AK 99686, 212 Fairbanks, Valdez, AK, 99686
Are you thinking of starting a business?
Do you already have a business but want it to grow?
Are you facing a business puzzle that you’d like help with?
Schedule your free 30-minute session with one of our talented business coaches!
When: Wednesday March 19, 2025 🕘 1:00-3:00 PM Free and Confidential
Location: Valdez Consortium Library Conference Room. 212 Fairbanks, Valdez, AK 99686
To Book a time slot: Contact Carrie Jean at 907-531-2215 via text or call.

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Drop-In Business Coaching
2025-03-27 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce, 105 N Minor Rd, Kelso, WA, 98626, United States
Are you thinking of starting a business?
Do you already have a business but want it to grow?
Are you facing a business puzzle that you’d like help with?
Schedule your free 30-minute session with one of our talented business coaches!
Drop-In Coaching sessions are held at Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce, 105 N Minor Rd, Kelso, WA 98626.
Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact coaching@businessimpactnw.org or call (206) 324-4330
