Jean Simpson, Executive Director, GroWashington
Our guest speaker this past week, was Jean Simpson, Executive Director of GroWashington. The organization is all about small business development and Jean is the visionary that leads the non-profit. Her passion is to strategically plan, partner and give problems new solutions while creating a positive outcome. Using analytical tools and fresh ideas, utilizing her entrepreneurial experience and formal leadership training to create a winning situation.
GroWashington helped raise $1.5 million in funding. Fundraisers include the Brewfest which has to have a non-profit involved in the event. GroWashington has two stores; one in Everett and one in Snohomish. The City of Everett approached GroWashington about locating a store front in downtown Everett. A store/office evolved on Colby Avenue but when the new Marriott Hotel was under construction, the store/offices had to close for a year. During that period, GroWashington remodeled the store to include a Art Gallery, conference rooms and co-working space to create more revenue.
Basically, GroWashington assists Washington entrepreneurs to become sustainable businesses. Through training and business consulting, the goal is to increase the capacity of start-up product-based businesses. Jean uses her strong professional and community services experiences to focus on a businesses organizational development which include branding/identity, marketing, finance, operations and storefront and growth management. However, in order to achieve their goal, GroWashington relies on fundraisers are a big part of their funding. Some of the events are the Snohomish on the Rocks, held last April, which is their largest fundraiser with over 30 breweries for this one day event. Just concluded was the Carleton Farms BrewFest benefiting GroWashington. Another event is the Snohomish Holiday Market, November 19 & 20th at Thomas Family Farms. Obviously, there is a lot going on at GroWashington.