FINDING GRATITUDE IN DIFFICULT TIMES

Dear Resource Partners,

This certainly isn’t the Thanksgiving we wanted, but it’s the one we’ve got.

Even in the middle of so much struggle and hardship, I do want to acknowledge a few of the things we are grateful for:

· Resource partners, including our partners at the SBA and those of you in public and private economic development agencies, ports, chambers, business organizations and civic groups, who are working every day to find new and better ways to support the small business community;

· Legislators at every level who have worked to develop relief policies and programs and to keep constituents informed;

· SBDC subcontract hosts, including Western Washington University, South Puget Sound Community College, Green River College, Highline College, One Redmond , The Economic Alliance of Okanogan County, the Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship and our statewide host Washington State University, who provide the infrastructure necessary to deliver quality, consistent services across the entire state;

· Small business owners who are working every day to find solutions that work for their customers, their employees and their bottom line.

As an organization, we are grateful that we have skills and expertise that can help during this crisis and we are leaning into our mission—the same mission we’ve had since the organization was founded 40 years ago—to help Washington businesses grow and succeed through advising, education and research.

In this season of gratitude it is painful to acknowledge that many businesses have already closed and more are on the verge of closing. We cannot save every business, but SBDC advisors can assist business owners in taking a realistic look at their options and choosing the best path forward.

Please help spread the word that SBDC advisors can provide technical assistance (but not grants or loans) to address just about any challenge business owners face, including financial literacy, cash flow management, access to capital, marketing plans, selling online, strategic planning, business systems or starting an export program.

Meeting with an SBDC business advisor is easier today than it has ever been. All of our advisors are working remotely and use a variety of ways to connect with clients, including Zoom, other online platforms, telephone calls, and emails. Several people in our network are fluent Spanish speakers and we also have advisors or staff who speak Mandarin, French, Swahili, Laotian and Thai. To contact the advisor in your area, call 833-492-7232 or email washington@wsbdc.org.

This pandemic will not last forever. With the news of effective vaccines in development, we know the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter by the day. Until then, stay safe and be well.

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

Mark your calendar for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28. Now more than ever, small businesses need our support. Founded by American Express in 2010, this day is celebrated each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Yes, it is definitely possible to Shop Small on Small Business Saturday even in the middle of a pandemic. Giving gift cards to coffee shops, restaurants and specialty food stores, ordering curbside pickup, shopping online via Facebook or another platform, are just a few of the ideas SBDC business advisors Julia Lara and Mia Johnstone discuss in their on-demand webinar titled “Making the Most of Small Business Saturday.” Lara and Johnstone focus on helping owners of retail and service businesses think creatively about how they can engage customers this holiday season. This webinar was co-produced with the SBA Seattle District. There is no cost to view the webinar, but you must register here.