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Build Your Business With The Food Business Resource Center
Committed to training and supporting food and farm businesses
The Food Business Resource Center (FBRC) is a one-stop shop for Washington State food entrepreneurs. Access skills, resources, networks, and marketplace opportunities to start, run and grow your successful food-related business. A program of Business Impact NW, the Food Business Resource Center is proud to work with many partner organizations. This includes farmer groups, kitchen incubators, regional food system initiatives, public agencies, eateries, and other businesses.
We specialize in connecting all business owners with opportunities & answers. We offer trainings, one-on-one coaching, referrals to resource partners, and networking events in our region encompassing Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington State.
For questions or support in getting connected with the Food Business Resource Center, email fbrc@businessimpactnw.org
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Our Goals
- Provide underserved food entrepreneurs the resources and connections they need to be successful
- Maximize jobs created by and for those businesses
- Reinforce the growth, profit, and value of each business
What You Can Gain
- Business plan and financial projections
- Funding options
- Loan packages
- Skills for profitability
- Connections with food resource partners and market opportunities
- New ways to grow your business
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Business Coaching
The Food Business Resource Center provides free one-on-one coaching to food and farm businesses across the region looking to start, grow, or fund their ventures. Sign up here and meet with one of our accredited small business coaches to learn more about our services or receive assistance in the following areas:
Loan Readiness
- If you are looking to apply for funding through Business Impact NW or another institution, we offer training and coaching on what you need
- (in addition to a good business plan and financial projections)
Access to Capital
- Learn about opportunities to fund your business in all stages.
Resource Navigation
- Learn about free resources and educational tools at Business Impact NW that align with your farm business goals.
- Connect with our network of service providers and regional resources, events and trainings.
- Find answers to the questions that are important to you such as licensing, permitting, taxes, and becoming an employer.
Business Planning
- Guidance, training and templates to develop your Lean Model Canvas, Business Model Canvas, or traditional Business Plan
- Areas of focus include legal formation of business, equipment requirements and costs, market analysis, strategic planning, and financial projections.
Sign Up For Services
Our partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration requires all clients to register with an online service request before we can provide assistance. This form also acts as Confidentiality and Code of Conduct Agreements. All client information is held in strict confidence. Any request for technical assistance (business coaching, training, or counseling) is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL!
To unlock your access to all of our classes and the ability to receive free one-on-one business coaching,
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Classes & Training
Join in on an FBRC-specific class through our calendar, or read more about our featured classes below. You can also contact us to learn more about specialized programming.
Farmer Finance On-Demand Series
Farmer Finance is a 3-part series aimed at providing the beginning farmer the knowledge and resources to approach their farm with a business mentality. The 3 courses cover financial management and using financial statements to track business performance, developing enterprise budgets to plan for profitable growth, and access to capital.
Packaged Foods On-Demand Course
For entrepreneurs considering moving into the packaged food space or farms looking to develop value-added product(s), this on-demand, self-paced online course will provide a basic overview of the process from concept to market. With case studies, panel interviews, planning tools, and links to additional resources, you will gain some valuable insight and a basic understanding of what it takes to get started.
Food Biz Week 2021 - Recorded Panel Discussions
Food Biz Week is an opportunity for food and farm businesses at all levels of food production and food retail in the Pacific Northwest to learn from industry experts and fellow experienced colleagues through a curated week of virtual panels, presentations, and networking activities. Dive into discussions covering farm businesses, packaged food/value-added businesses, financing for food and farm, and foodservice businesses.
Square One - Get Started with Free Business Services
Square One is your gateway to access capital or business coaching through Business Impact NW. Whether you’re new to BIN, just starting out, in need of coaching, or ready to apply for a loan, this 1 1/2 hour WBC course will introduce you to the programs and services we offer, give you the opportunity to schedule meetings with a business coach, and offer specific information regarding our lending process as it applies to you individually.
Other Business Impact NW Classes
Find more free and low-cost classes and trainings offered by Business Impact NW to launch, grow, and thrive in your business journey. There are live and on-demand sessions including Business Expert Sessions, weekly chats with business professionals, and more.
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About Us
The Food Business Resource Center is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling, and resource partner referrals to all who are interested in starting or growing a small business with an emphasis on working with traditionally underserved populations – entrepreneurial low/moderate-income earners, BIPOC, Veterans, immigrants, refugees, or members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Meet the Team
- Meet your Director – Henry Wong
- Meet your Administrative Magicians – Shelby Hammond and Faith Hamilton
- Meet your Business Support Specialist – Neil Subhash
- Meet your Business Coach - Gabriella St. George
If you don’t have a business coach yet, all you need to do is register!
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From idea, to plan, to business start,
let us help you launch your dream.
We work with you to take your
established business to the next level.
We work with you to secure funding
for your business to thrive
IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Food & agriculture is Washington State's largest industry
Washington State is #2 in agriculture production in the U.S.
Oregon, Washington, and Idaho together are the #1 producer of 22 key agricultural commodities
The food and farming industry makes up nearly 15% of the economic activity in Washington and Oregon
89% of farms in Washington State are considered small farms
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Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact fbrc@businessimpactnw.org or call 206.324.4330.
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the US Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
