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Eleven Spokane County small businesses completed the AHANA August Business Cohort, funded through the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Community Reinvestment Project and delivered in partnership with the African Hispanic Asian Native American Multi-Ethnic Business Association (AHANA-MEBA) and Talent Solutions by WorkSource Spokane.

The cohort was built to give business owners knowledge they could put to use right away: attendees spent the day learning from industry experts, working through business scenarios session by session and asking questions specific to their own operations. They moved through sessions on business planning and marketing, digital marketing, business tax, employment law and human resource management, and business banking, with faculty from Gonzaga University’s School of Business Administration and School of Law, Whitworth University’s School of Business, HKW Web Design and Development, and Washington Trust Bank covering material owners could apply directly to their businesses. The day wrapped up with a session on business solutions and building employment pipelines, led by Michelle Daniels of the Talent Solutions Team at WorkSource Spokane and Maliek Martin of Spokane Workforce Council, followed by a group photo of the full cohort.

The eleven businesses that came through the cohort included companies in auto repair, construction, hospitality, adult family home care, and design services: Auto Clinic Solutions LLC, 40 Acres Construction LLC, Purity Adult Family Home Enterprises, Spo-ka’nay Enterprises, Azure Group LLC, Battle Tested Bartenders LLC, Anatolia Grill, Star Automotive LLC, Affinity Adult Family Home, Da Construmetal Design and Technology LLC, and Las Delicias de Isa. Each completed the cohort and qualified for grant funding to put toward capacity building.

“Small business owners are already experts in what they do. This cohort gives them the tax, legal, and financial tools to match that expertise with sustainable growth. That combination of knowledge and funding is what makes real growth possible,” said Maliek Martin, Community & Business Engagement Coordinator at the Spokane Workforce Council.

The AHANA Business Cohort Series is part of Spokane Workforce Council’s broader commitment to supporting Spokane County small businesses. It connects owners to practical training, ongoing capacity-building support, and grant funding designed to help them grow with strategy and momentum.

We look forward to our next cohort in Spring, 2027.

About AHANA-MEBA
AHANA-MEBA’s mission is to educate, advocate, assist, and develop businesses and nonprofit growth, serving as a catalyst that provides opportunities for multi-ethnic and multicultural communities in the Inland Northwest.

About Spokane Workforce Council
Spokane Workforce Council convenes employers, educators, and community partners to strengthen Spokane County’s workforce. Spokane Workforce Council is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Washington Relay Services: 711.

Media Contact
SWC Marketing Team
marketing@spokaneworkforce.org