Native Business Center

09/01/2026

🪶 Native Business Marketplace – September 17

A great opportunity to shop Native, connect with Native entrepreneurs, and support Native-owned businesses!

Pacific Northwest Tribal Lending's 3rd Annual Native Small Business Fair will feature Native artists, makers and entrepreneurs, along with networking, business resources and a panel discussion.

📅 Thursday, September 17
⏰ 10 AM–2 PM

If you're in the area, check it out—and help support Native businesses!

Every successful business starts with a simple question: “What if?”

What if I turned this skill into a business? What if I bought my first piece of equipment? What if I hired my first employee?

Twenty years ago, communities came together to imagine what prosperity could look like. Those conversations planted seeds that continue to grow today. The Tribal

Ventures effort showed that creating opportunity starts by believing change is possible.

Every thriving business begins with possibility.

08/31/2026

💰 UPCOMING SMALL BUSINESS FUNDING WEBINAR

Does your business need working capital?

The U.S. Small Business Administration Seattle District is hosting a FREE online webinar about SBA funding for working capital.

📅 Wednesday, September 9
⏰ 10:00–11:00 AM Pacific
💻 Online
💲 FREE

Learn about:

✔️ What working capital funds can be used for
✔️ SBA loan programs available for working capital
✔️ How different SBA loans may be structured
✔️ Funding options that may fit your business needs

There will also be time for questions.

👉 Learn more and register through the SBA.

08/24/2026

💰 BUSINESS TIP: Are You Funding Ready?

Before you apply for a business loan, grant, or other funding opportunity, take some time to get your business documents in order.

A funding opportunity can come up quickly. Being prepared means you're ready when it does.

✅ Business registration & licenses
✅ UBI number
✅ EIN
✅ Business bank account
✅ Business plan or business description
✅ Current financial statements
✅ Recent tax returns
✅ A clear plan for how the funds will be used
✅ Know how much funding you actually need

💡 Not sure if you're funding-ready? Native Business Center can help you get organized, understand what funders may be looking for, and prepare for future opportunities.

Preparation today. Opportunity tomorrow.

08/20/2026

💰 OPPORTUNITY DAY: $10,000 SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS

Applications are now open for 2026 $10,000 small business grants through Verizon Small Business Digital Ready.

Small business owners can also access FREE business resources, including:

• Business courses and quick tips
• Funding resources
• Marketing and social media
• Money management
• Legal and operations resources
• Networking and expert support

Registration is 100% free, and you do not need to be a Verizon customer.

👉 Learn more, register, and review the current grant opportunity:
https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/

Native Business Center shares opportunities and resources that can help Native entrepreneurs start, strengthen, and grow their businesses.

Your free resource hub for small business success. Access expert-led courses, one-on-one coaching, networking, and grant opportunities today.

08/18/2026

🚨 OPPORTUNITY ALERT FOR NATIVE BUSINESSES

FREE training + a $500 participant stipend!

Native-owned and Native-serving businesses in Washington and Oregon are invited to participate in Embedding Native Values into Your Business through Sustainability and Sustainable Procurement.

This fully online, self-paced program is designed to help small- to medium-sized businesses strengthen their sustainability practices and learn how to navigate sustainable procurement opportunities.

Participants receive:

✅ FREE online, self-paced training
✅ Sustainability and sustainable procurement education
✅ Optional office hours for additional support
✅ Practical tools to strengthen business practices
💰 $500 stipend for completing the online modules and accompanying worksheets by October 19

⚠️ Limited spots are available.

If your business is interested in procurement opportunities or incorporating sustainability into your business practices, this could be a great opportunity.

📌 SAVE or SHARE this with a Native business owner in Washington or Oregon.

➡️ Register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeR0Mqb6w-LJ2d3tBHKMHQ1-FTx_1n5TrAouX_0iqtV7KUVjQ/viewform

Thank you for your interest! This form will help us understand Native businesses’ current sustainability practices before taking the "Embedding Native Values in your Business" course and capture how the curriculum has enhanced the sustainability and sustainable procurement strategies of these busi...

08/17/2026

📊 BUSINESS BASICS: KNOW YOUR NUMBERS

Your business can have great sales and still not make money.

That's why every business owner should know these 3 basic numbers:

💵 1. REVENUE
The total amount of money your business brings in from sales or services.

💳 2. EXPENSES
The money your business spends to operate — supplies, rent, insurance, payroll, advertising, fuel and other costs.

📈 3. PROFIT
What's left after you subtract your business expenses from your revenue.

Revenue – Expenses = Profit

Knowing these numbers can help you make better decisions about pricing, spending and growing your business.

💡 Business Tip: Don't wait until tax time to look at your numbers. Reviewing them regularly can help you spot problems — and opportunities — much sooner.

📌 SAVE THIS POST as a reminder to check in on your business finances.

Need help understanding your business numbers? The Native Business Center provides technical assistance and resources to Native entrepreneurs and small business owners in Washington State.

08/14/2026

🔥 WILDFIRE IMPACTED YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? START DOCUMENTING NOW.

If your small business has been affected by the recent wildfires, now is a good time to start gathering your records — even if disaster assistance has not yet been announced for your area.

And remember: your business does not have to operate from a storefront to be a business.

If you operate a business from your home and the wildfire disrupted your operations, damaged business property, caused you to lose income, or created other business-related losses, document what happened.

If SBA disaster assistance becomes available for your area, there may be different types of assistance depending on the disaster declaration and your circumstances.

Start gathering:

✅ Photos or videos of business-related damage
✅ Business equipment, tools, supplies or inventory that were damaged or lost
✅ Receipts and estimates for repairs or replacement
✅ Insurance information and claims
✅ Recent business financial records
✅ Records showing cancelled jobs, closures or interruptions
✅ Information showing how the wildfire affected your ability to operate

Even if your business did not suffer physical damage, keep records of the financial impact.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), when authorized for a declared disaster area, may provide working capital to eligible small businesses experiencing substantial economic injury related to the disaster.

⚠️ Important: We are sharing this information to help businesses prepare. SBA wildfire disaster assistance has not necessarily been authorized for every affected community. Eligibility will depend on the official disaster declaration.

📌 SAVE THIS POST and start documenting now.

The Native Business Center will continue watching for official disaster assistance information and will share updates as they become available.

08/13/2026

💰 FUNDING RESOURCE: SBA MICROLOANS

Looking for a smaller amount of financing to start, strengthen, or grow your business?

The SBA Microloan Program provides loans of up to $50,000 to eligible small businesses. The average microloan is about $13,000.

Microloan funds may be used for:

✅ Working capital
✅ Inventory and supplies
✅ Furniture and fixtures
✅ Machinery and equipment

💡 What about your credit score?

There is no single minimum credit score for the SBA Microloan Program. Microloans are made through SBA-approved nonprofit intermediary lenders, and each lender sets its own credit and lending requirements.

So, don't automatically assume you won't qualify based on your credit score alone. Talk with an approved microlender to find out what they require.

Good to know: Microloan funds cannot be used to purchase real estate or pay existing debts.

📌 SAVE or SHARE this post with a small business owner who may be looking for financing.

Learn more and find an approved microlender:
https://www.sba.gov/loans/microloans/

Smaller-size loans of up to $50,000 provided through SBA funding intermediaries. What is the microloan program? Am I eligible? How do I apply? How do I pay back my loan? What is a microloan?  The microloan program provides loans up to $50,000 to help small businesses and certain not-for-profit ch...

08/11/2026

💰 Are You Grant Ready?

Finding a grant is only the first step. Before you apply, make sure your business is ready.

Here are 5 things to have on hand:

✅ A clear description of your business
✅ Your business goals and how funding would be used
✅ An estimated budget for what you need
✅ Basic financial information for your business
✅ Required business registrations and documents

Taking a little time to get organized now can make it much easier when the right opportunity comes along.

📌 SAVE THIS POST and use it as a starting checklist.

Need help getting your business ready for future opportunities? The Native Business Center provides technical assistance and resources to Native entrepreneurs and small business owners in Washington State.

08/06/2026

🔥 Wildfire Recovery Information for Native Communities

The recent Federal Emergency Declaration for Washington wildfires specifically includes the Spokane Tribe of Indians, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, along with several Washington counties.

To help communities prepare for potential disaster recovery assistance, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is hosting a free informational webinar:

Everything You Need to Know About SBA Disaster Loans

📅 Wednesday, August 12, 2026
⏰ 2:00–3:00 PM PDT
💻 Online

The webinar will cover SBA disaster declarations, disaster loan eligibility, types and uses of loans, the application process, documentation to have ready, and additional SBA and Washington State resources. There will also be time for Q&A.

⚠️ Important: SBA Disaster Loans are not yet available for this disaster. This webinar is being offered proactively so businesses and communities can understand the process and be prepared should SBA assistance become available.

👉 Register for the SBA webinar

Please share with Native-owned businesses and community members who may benefit from this information.