Business Growth and Development in Snohomish County
Entrepreneurship forces us to grow as both business leaders and individuals, and the two help each other along.
The resources we’ve included here are all valuable for networking. Some of them are good for the development of professional skills. Others are valuable resources for finding contracts in certain sectors and earning the qualifications those sectors demand.
Networking, counsel, assistance & resources
Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber of Commerce is an advocacy for business and economic issues. They also serve as a member-to-member networking platform, with features like a member directory listing and newsletter advertising. Click here to access their website.
Economic Alliance of Snohomish County
The Economic Alliance functions as a chamber of commerce on a county-wide scale. They advocate for policy that affects infrastructure, economics and business. They help businesses connect to other businesses. Their website can be viewed by clicking here.
Procurement Technical Assistance Center
Washington PTAC specializes in helping businesses earn government contracts. They offer resources to help you tailor your business for government work, and to help you find and win contracts. Click here to visit their website and find a center near you.
Sno Isle Libraries
More than just a place for research. Sno Isle Libraries has a Business Services Team, and offers resources like business plans for those seeking funding, business classes, and financial and legal advice. The Sno Isle Libraries business page can be visited by clicking here.
Professional Development
Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary Club
These clubs, or a club like them, have a presence in most communities. They’re national, structured charities that serve their communities with park cleanups, organized events, etc. In turn, they serve their members by acting as a platform for professional development and connecting with like minded people.
Inquisitek’s owner, Todd, is a member of Kiwanis, and attributes the following to his experiences there: Personal and professional development, experience with leadership and conducting meetings, new opportunities, and respect from peers in the community.
Toastmasters
An organization where members practice communication making presentations about business. Todd has personal experience here. There was a bonding element that he appreciated, coming from the mutual goal of working on something that many people aren’t naturally comfortable with:
“A big part of it is just getting over yourself. It turns out, people don’t care about whether your speech is good or bad. They don’t even remember it. Realizing that helped me get more comfortable with presenting --- and focus on the technical parts, like not speaking too fast. Also, learning how to provide good feedback has been an important skill as a business leader.”
Click here to visit the Toastmasters find-a-local-club portal.
Leadership Snohomish County
A non-profit organization that offers a 9-month program focused on developing leadership and community stewardship. Build a network and support group by connecting to other growing business leaders, as well as program alumni. Click here to see their website.
Mastermind Groups
Excell Puget Sound
CEO’s come together to coach local business leaders. A few of the things they offer, per their website:
- Reduce risk & create success
- Use your time more effectively
- learn how to finish what you start
- Find out what might be holding you back
Hot 100
This is a mastermind organization that puts on workshops attended by business leaders. They bring in expert guest speakers for their workshops. Todd attributes a big shift in his mindset to his experience with Hot 100. As he learned, if you’re going to do business at all, you might as well think big --- big goals, big plans, big ideas. Click here to visit the Hot 100 Business website.
