How has our advocacy increased access and reduced barriers for Ventures entrepreneurs? Where have we fallen short? What are other ways that we can make a positive impact in our community?
Advocacy
Training, coaching, and policy advocacy for Ventures entrepreneurs
Training
As a community-based organization, we believe it is our responsibility to help entrepreneurs develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed as leaders in their businesses and their communities. That is why we recently launched a leadership development workshop called Raise Your Voice.
This program, offered twice annually, equips business owners with the tools they need to become effective leaders and strong advocates for themselves and each other.
If you have completed our Business Basics Course, you can learn more about our Raise Your Voice workshop and other upcoming programs on our Special Topic Workshops.
Coaching
Being a successful small business owner requires navigating a complex maze of permits, law and regulations. Ventures provides one-on-one coaching and advocacy support to help entrepreneurs navigate this maze. Our ongoing support helps entrepreneurs understand–and if possible, change–the systemic factors that affect their businesses in order to help them succeed.
If you have completed our Business Basics Course, you can request one-on-one coaching from our advocacy team by emailing Will at wvongeldern@venturesnonprofit.org.
Policy Advocacy
We know that running a small business is more than a full-time commitment. Ventures meets business owners where they are and engages our community to advocate for systemic changes to increase access and reduce barriers to entrepreneurship.
Through grassroots civic engagement, Ventures empowers entrepreneurs to educate their representatives about the importance of small and micro-business in our community. In 2019, Ventures will also advocate for a policy agenda based on input and ideas from entrepreneurs–including our first-ever Advocacy Day at the state capitol in Olympia.
