Small Business Resource
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About this Resource
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The Washington State Small Business Guide is a comprehensive resource designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate the process of starting, running, and growing a business in Washington state. It provides valuable information on various aspects of business operations, including:
Planning Your Business: Guidance on creating a business plan, choosing a business structure, and understanding legal requirements.
Starting Your Business: Steps to register your business, obtain necessary licenses and permits, and set up operations.
Running Your Business: Information on payroll, tax responsibilities, and regulatory compliance.Growing Your Business: Resources for expanding your business, including loan programs and business development support.
Closing Your Business: Advice on how to properly close a business and handle related legal and financial matters
The guide is available in multiple languages and formats, including PDF and braille.
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About this Resource
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The Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) offers a variety of services to support minority- and women-owned businesses in Washington state. Some of their key services include:
Certification: OMWBE certifies small businesses owned and controlled by minorities, women, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. This certification helps increase contracting opportunities with state and local governments.
Linked Deposit Program: Certified businesses can access this program to receive reduced interest rates on small business loans.
Business Support Services: OMWBE provides resources, training, and technical assistance to help businesses grow and succeed.Supplier Diversity: The office works with state agencies, local governments, and institutions of higher education to promote equitable and inclusive purchasing practices.
These services aim to promote equity and inclusion in public contracting and procurement, helping minority- and women-owned businesses thrive in Washington state.
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Visit the Business.Wa.Gov Website
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About this Resource
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Business.Wa.Gov is facilitated by ORIA and links entrepreneurs and small businesses to Washington State resources. Some of the key resources include:
Small Business Workshops: Resources and workshops to help start, run, and grow a business.
Regulatory Information: Access to the Regulatory Handbook, which provides information on local, state, and federal permits, approvals, and licenses.
Payroll Calculator: An online tool to estimate payroll costs.
Small Business Liaisons: A list of contacts to over 20 state agencies to have a connection with people who can assist small businesses.
These services aim to make it easier for businesses to comply with regulations and operate smoothly in Washington state.
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About this Resource
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Washington State has a certification for Veterans and Servicemembers. Certification is free and requires only basic veteran discharge status and business information to complete.
Washington State agencies have been asked by Governor Inslee to do 5% of their purchasing from Veteran or Servicemember Owned Businesses. By linking the Washington Department of Vetrans Affairs Certified Veteran and Servicemember Owned Business list to Washington's Electronic Business Solution (WEBS), an internet-based site hosted by the Department of Enterprise Services (DES), state agencies will now have a way to identify WDVA Certified Businesses and keep track of how they’re doing toward their purchasing goals.
It will also help private businesses and citizens across the state with easy access to your business information through the list of WDVA Certified Veteran or Servicemember Owned Businesses in their communities.
And it makes you eligible to apply for the Veterans Linked Deposit Program which can improve access to capital for certified Veteran and Servicemember Owned Business enterprises by decreasing interest rates on small business loans by 2%!
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Visit the ORIA Website
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About this Resource
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The Governor's office for Regulatory Innovation & Assistance or ORIA guides individuals and businesses through Washington state's regulations.
They offer assistance to small businesses to navigate the regulatory requirements through multiple state agencies.
Their mission is to provide people and businesses with information and resources to help them meet regulatory requirements and save time, money, and frustration.
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State agencies are required to take specific steps to ensure they give Washington state small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses equitable access to goods and services contracts.
Some of their supplier diversity work includes:
Procurement Inclusion and Equity (PIE) program: We help small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses sell goods and services to Washington state governments. We are also working on changing procurement culture in government purchasing and building pipeline of small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses on statewide goods and services contracts.
State Contracts Assistance Network (SCAN): We connect small and diverse businesses with organizations and tools to help you be more successful at selling goods and services to the state.
Business Diversity Advisory Group (BDAG): Comprised of vendors, BDAG advises our Contracts and Procurement Division on ways to reduce barriers for small, diverse and veteran-owned businesses to participate in state contracts for goods and services. BDAG helped us develop the enterprise Supplier Diversity policy.Encouraging Diversity, Growth, and Equity (EDGE): This pilot program is designed to give mini and micro-sized construction firms a more equitable space in the public works bidding and procurement process.
See the whole list here.
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Visit the SBLT Website
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About this Resource
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The Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT) is a collaboration of 29 state agencies in Washington, working to enhance access to regulatory information, education, and resources for small businesses. Their mission is to listen to businesses and take action to simplify doing business in the state. Formalized under Executive Order 12-01, SBLT develops outreach programs, seeks regulatory improvements, and creates new business tools. Additionally, the team collaborates with local and regional small business assistance centers and invites business owners to provide direct feedback on their experiences with state agencies.
Their vision is to establish Washington State as a leader in supporting small businesses, empowering them to thrive. The team's core values include education, service excellence, consistency, and trust.