Free business program for Tacoma's smallest businesses

One-on-One Coaching and Consulting Work

Applicants will participate in personalized coaching through one-on-one guidance to gain practical tools to improve bookkeeping, understand business financial health, better manage cash flows, take charge of financial planning, and make smarter decisions for growth. This program is tailored specifically for microbusinesses, offering a unique opportunity for business owners to strengthen their foundation with expert support.

Coaching time includes work on a tangible deliverable, such as a business plan, QuickBooks implementation assistance, financial analysis review, financial planning/projections, cashflow projections/template, or other capacity/foundation building activity. 

Access to 2 Presentations focused on growth and funding

Through two interactive presentations shared at the kick-off workshop (which has already taken place) — focused on Planning for Growth and Funding your Business — participants will build a clear understanding of what may be holding them back, how their businesses can grow, and how to prepare for future financing.

Each participating business will also receive personalized one-on-one technical assistance subsequent to the Kick-off meeting, delivered virtually, to work on practical, tangible deliverables. With guidance from experienced advisors, business owners can strengthen bookkeeping and financial systems, better understand cash flow and overall financial health, develop financial projections or business plans, and make informed decisions that support sustainable growth.

This program is tailored specifically for microbusinesses, providing hands-on, individualized support to help owners build a stronger and more resilient business foundation.

1. Planning for Growth

A presentation designed to help small business owners understand how their businesses can grow and which growth strategies fit their current stage. Participants explored common constraints that limit growth—such as demand, capacity, and cash flow—and learnt how different growth paths address different challenges. Through guided discussion and real-world examples, attendees identified where their own businesses were getting stuck and clarified what “healthy growth” looks like for them. This session lays the groundwork for future planning, financial modeling, and funding readiness by helping participants by thinking through the right growth direction before investing time, money, or capital.

2. Funding Your Business

A hands-on presentation designed to help business owners understand their funding options, the advantages/disadvantages of debt financing, as well as next steps to take in getting their businesses ready to access funding. In this interactive session, participants used a credit-readiness checklist to gain real-time insights into their own funding readiness, but also clarified roadmap on what remains to be improved to grow their business through funding.