Directory of Business Resources

Nonprofit organizations

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Business Impact NW

Business Impact NW empowers a talented and diverse community of entrepreneurs, supporting the continuing growth of local small businesses through micro-enterprise. We are at once your sounding board, advisers, and cheering section, your funding source and your access to resources. Impact is a part of our name, and we are making one, every day.

Team Representative Contact Information
Name:  lending@businessimpactnw.org
 Agency: Business Impact NW
Email: lending@businessimpactnw.org
Phone: 206-324-4330
Services:
Supporting the continuing growth of local small businesses through micro-enterprise. We are a sounding board, adviser, funding source, and access resources.

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

The Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a network of more than 30 expert business advisors working in communities across the state to help entrepreneurs or small business owners start, grow or buy/sell a business.

SBDC advisors provide one-on-one, confidential, no-cost advising on all phases of small business development and are often co-located with economic development specialists in community colleges, economic development agencies or government agencies. Other services of the Washington SBDC include no-cost or low-cost workshops on a variety of business topics and customized market research services.

The Washington SBDC, a member of the national America’s SBDC program, is governed by a cooperative agreement between Washington State University, which is the statewide host of the program, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Mission: Helping Washington businesses grow and succeed through advising, education and research.

Vision: To be Washington’s world-class business advising service.

Values: Innovation – We educate and empower businesses to develop creative solutions, data driven decisions and best practices. Integrity – We embrace responsible stewardship of public resources and serve the best interest of Washington businesses. Collaboration – We cultivate partnerships to ensure entrepreneurs have the resources and tools to thrive. Follow links to get information about:

The SBDC has an Advisory Committee to represent and articulate the needs, concerns and wishes of the stakeholders and to provide small to medium businesses perspective for the organization. The board is typically made up of at least 50% business owners with additional members from business organizations, funding partners and legislators.

Ventures

Founded in 1995 Ventures is a Puget Sound area non-profit that has been building businesses and changes lives for close to twenty-five years. Providing access to business training, capital, coaching and hands-on learning opportunities the staff at Ventures has empowered entrepreneurs with limited resources and unlimited potential and providing the chance they need to transform their lives through small businesses ownership.

Team Representative Contact Information
Name:  Amy Hollander
Agency: Ventures
Email: ahollander@venturesnonprofit.org                                                              
Phone: (206) 352-1945, ext 6611
 
Services:
• Business training, capital, coaching, and hands-on learning opportunities for entrepreneurs.

 

Workforce Development Councils

The Workforce Development Council is a nonprofit organization providing grant-funding and oversight for employment-related workforce development programs for youth, the adult workforce, and employers with the goal of building a strong economy and self-sufficiency for every resident.

State resources

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Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT)

We are Washington States' Small Business Liaison Team and we want to establish Washington State as a leader in support, and empower small businesses to thrive. LEARN MORE...

Liaison

Services

Governor's Office for Regulatory Innovation & Assistance (www.oria.wa.gov)
Hugo Nicolas Hugo.Nicolas@gov.wa.gov
Assistance with local, state, and federal business licensing regulations and environmental permitting.
Dept. of Labor & Industries (www.lni.wa.gov)
Andrew Bryan
Small Business Liaison
smallbusiness@lni.wa.gov
Maggie Hammond
Assist. Small Business Liaison
smallbusiness@lni.wa.gov
Andrea Muñoz
Small Business Program Specialist
smallbusiness@lni.wa.gov
Regulate Workers Compensation; employment standards & policies; workplace safety & health, and Contractor registration.
Dept. of Revenue (dor.wa.gov)
Kim Johnson kimberlyj@dor.wa.gov
One-stop state and city business licensing services.
Tom Wieland tomw@dor.wa.gov
Tax account registration, state business excise taxes, reseller permits, and tax incentives/credits.
Employment Security Dept. (esd.wa.gov)
Nino Gray
Executive Outreach Officer
nino.gray@esd.wa.gov status@esd.wa.gov
Tonja Harris
WorkSource Supervisor
tonja.harris@esd.wa.gov status@esd.wa.gov
Regulate Unemployment Insurance, Paid Family Medical Leave, Labor Market Information, and Work-Source program.
Secretary of State Corporations & Charities (www.sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities)
Constance Parbon corps@sos.wa.gov
Register Corporate Business Entities, Charitable Organizations, Trademarks, and Domestic Partnerships.
Commission of Hispanic Affairs (www.cha.wa.gov)
Nancy Aguilar Nancy.RochaAguilar@cha.wa.gov
Improving the development of public policy and government services to the Hispanic Community.
Commission of African American Affairs (caaa.wa.gov)
Ed Prince ed.prince@caa.wa.gov
Improving the policies, programs, and services of the African American Community.
Commission of Asian Pacific American Affairs (capaa.wa.gov)
Toshiko Hasegawa toshiko.hasegawa@capaa.wa.gov
Improve the well-being, education, health, and economic development of the Asian Pacific Americans Community.
Dept. of Agriculture (agr.wa.gov)
Laura Raymond lraymond@agr.wa.gov
Provide licenses and permits for agricultural products, regulate food safety, and comply with WSDA & USDA.
Dept. of Commerce (www.commerce.wa.gov)
Lynn Longan lynn.longan@commerce.wa.gov
Improve economic development, housing, public safety, international trade, and funding for small businesses.
Dept. of Ecology (ecology.wa.gov)
Laurie Dumar laurie.dumar@ecy.wa.gov
Provide environmental permitting and certifications; sustain healthy land, air & water; and regulate waste and pollution.
Dept. of Enterprise Services (des.wa.gov)
Shana Barehand
shana.barehand@des.wa.gov
Kim Sauer
Contracts and Procurement Business Diversity Program Manager
kim.sauer@des.wa.gov
Karen Gonzalez
Procurement Inclusion and Equity, Community Outreach Specialist
karen.gonzalez@des.wa.gov
Doing business with the state: register to receive bid opportunities, provide contract services to state & local government.
Women's Commission (wswc.wa.gov)
Address the problems and needs of women, such as discrimination, harassment, compensation and job opportunities and the specific needs of women of color.
Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (wdfw.wa.gov)
Peter Vernie peter.vernie@dfw.wa.gov
Fishing and hunting permits, Hydraulic Project Approvals, enforcement regulations to conserve and protect the wildlife.
Dept. of Health (www.doh.wa.gov)
Erin Brewster
erin.brewster@doh.wa.gov
Provide public health and safety education, vital records certificates, health care licensing, and enforcement.
Dept. of Licensing (www.dol.wa.gov)
Bill Dutra https://dol.wa.gov/
Issue vehicle & boat registration, driver license, and professional licenses such as Real Estate, Engineers, Notaries, and Cosmetology
Dept. of Natural Resources (www.dnr.wa.gov)
Tami Miketa tamara.miketa@dnr.wa.gov
Licensing and regulations related to public land, aquatics, forests, commercial development, geology, and recreation.
Washington Health Benefit Exchange (www.wahbexchange.org/new-customers/application-quick-tips/covering-your-small-business)
Marie Cooper Marie.Cooper@WAHBExchange.org
operates WA Healthplanfinder, where individuals and families can get health insurance and access to state and federal subsidies to lower costs.
Dept. of Social & Health Services - Child Support (www.dshs.wa.gov)
Mitchell Dillard mitchell.dillard@dshs.wa.gov
Regulate the New Hire Reporting Program, child support enforcement, and administer medical, housing, or food assistance.
Dept. of Transportation (www.wsdot.wa.gov)
Yolanda Brooks brooksy@wsdot.wa.gov
Provide permits related to transportation and highways and regulate public transportation & motor carrier safety.
Dept. of Veterans Affairs (www.dva.wa.gov)
Shamekia Moultrie shamekiam@dva.wa.gov
Provide benefits, resources, and programs for veterans such as Veteran Owned Business Certification and Veterans Linked Deposit Program.
Emergency Management Division (mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division)
Taylor Hennessee taylor.hennessee@mil.wa.gov
Provide emergency response planning & coordination, disaster analysis, and prioritize the use of state resources.
Liquor and Cannabis Board (lcb.wa.gov)
Mistie Jones mistie.jones@lcb.wa.gov
Beth Lehman beth.lehman@lcb.wa.gov
Regulate licensing and permitting services for Liquor, Cannabis, Tobacco, and Vapor products.
Minority & Women Business Enterprises (omwbe.wa.gov)
Curtis Bennett curtisbe@omwbe.wa.gov
Nicky Budnuchit nickyb@omwbe.wa.gov
Certification as a business owned by a minority, woman, or disadvantaged individual for federal and state contracting; Linked Deposit Loan Program and Supplier Diversity
Insurance Commissioner (www.insurance.wa.gov)
Jeff Baughman jeffb@oic.wa.gov
License & regulate Insurance Producers; provide consumer protection and education.
Washington State Lottery (walottery.com)
Lance Anderson landerson2@walottery.com
Provide license for Lottery Retailers, enforcement of regulations, and assistance with sales, marketing, and accounting.
Human Rights Commission (www.hum.wa.gov)
front.desk@hum.wa.gov
Investigates discriminatory practices based on race, creed, color, national origin, and families with children.
LGBTQ Commission (lgbtq.wa.gov)
Improve the LGBTQ community and ensure an effective means of advocating for equity in all aspects of state government.

Federal resources

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Small Business Administration (SBA)

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. The SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners to start, grow or expand their business with services including the SBA Loan Guarantee Program, federal contracting certifications, and free, expert business counseling. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. The Seattle District Office serves Washington state and northern Idaho with office locations in Seattle and Spokane. Washington state-based SBA resource partners include the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC), SCORE, Women’s Business Centers (WBC) and the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC). LEARN MORE...

Team Representative Contact Information
Name:  Seattle District Office
Agency: Small Business Administration
Email: infosdo@sba.gov                                                              
Phone: 206-553-7310
 
Services:
• Free, expert business counseling and mentoring referrals • Free and low-cost small business training and workshop referrals • SBA Guarantee Loan Program information and referrals for loan amounts ranging from $500 to $5.5 million • Federal contracting certifications • Export technical and financial assistance • Disaster recovery assistance

 

Name:  Spokane Branch Office
Agency: Small Business Administration
Email: infosdo@sba.gov                                                              
Phone: 509-353-2800

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The IRS is part of the Department of the Treasury and is the revenue collection service of the federal government. The IRS processes applications and issues Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number. Business entities in the United State are identified by EIN. This is a free service offered by the Internal Revenue Service and you can get your EIN immediately. You may apply for an EIN online.

Team Representative Contact Information
Name:  Seattle District Office
Agency: Small Business Administration
Email: NA                                                              
Phone: 206-946-3400
 
Services:
• Account inquiries (help with letters, notices and levies on your wages or bank account), Adjustments (changes to tax account information or payments), Alien clearances (Sailing Permits), Assistance with Affordable Care Act tax provision questions for individuals, Assistance with questions about tax law changes in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is available year-round.