INSPIRE Women’s Business Conference
INSPIRE 2022
INSPIRE’s sixth year went virtual. On May 12, 2022, women business owners from across Washington met online for a panel on government resources, nine breakout sessions and a day of networking.
Archive This page looks back at INSPIRE 2022. For this year’s conference, see INSPIRE 2027.
Thursday, May 12, 2022
11 AM – 3 PM
Online, on Swapcard
$25
The sixth annual INSPIRE
Washington women in leadership
In 2022 INSPIRE met online. The program focused on Washington women in leadership, technical assistance and practical tips for growing a business, and attendees kept access to the event platform, its resources and each other for a full year afterward.
Hosts Michael Cade of the Thurston EDC and Naomi Sky of WCWB opened the day with gold sponsor WSECU. INSPIRE was created to bring women entrepreneurs together and give them a space to connect, and that didn’t change online.
“Oftentimes being an entrepreneur is very scary and intimidating, so this allows for that authentic connection to happen.”
Naomi Sky
WCWB, speaking to ThurstonTalk in 2022
The day’s sessions
11:00 AM
Welcome to INSPIRE, with hosts Michael Cade and Naomi Sky and gold sponsor recognition with Adam Wheeler of WSECU
11:30 AM
Morning breakout sessions
- Accounting for the Non-Accountants with LaVonne Shields: understand your numbers to better understand, lead and grow your business
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Small Business 101 with Yến Huỳnh: why DEI isn’t just for large organizations, and how a small business can start
- What Do Community and Omni-Channel Sales Have in Common? with Susan Gates of TheWMarketplace: building community while selling across several online channels
- Bringing Ideas to Life with Michelle Pope: how the Lacey MakerSpace’s tools, workspace and classes help women build confidence and skills
12:30 PM
Government Resources for Small Businesses in Washington State, a panel introduced by Commissioner Cami Feek with Ajsa Suljic, Alice Barney and Donna Mack of the Employment Security Department, moderated by Rafael Colón: labor market data, tax credits for hiring, rapid response services and more
2:00 PM
Afternoon breakout sessions
- 5 Tips on Building and Strengthening Your Business Brand with Elle Ballard
- Finesse My Niche: Creating a Customer Avatar with Jenefeness Tucker: find your niche client and the marketing that reaches them
- Accessing Debt Financing with Melissa LaFayette of the National Development Council: the types of debt, when to apply and what lenders look for
- Should I Be a Certified Woman-Owned Business? with Jennifer Dye: the certifications, and which (if any) fits your business
- Networking Leverage with Micki Peak of BNI Pacific Northwest: getting the most from networking without overloading your schedule
3:00 PM
Conference ends
Thank you to our 2022 speakers
Host · Executive Director, Thurston EDC
Host · WCWB Program Director
Commissioner, Washington Employment Security Department
Panel moderator · Business Outreach Manager, Employment Security Department
Regional Labor Economist, Employment Security Department
Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Federal Bonding Coordinator, Employment Security Department
Rapid Response Manager, Employment Security Department
Author and leadership and personal brand coach
Certified business advisor and life coach
Certified business advisor
CEO, Management Consultants of America
Field Director, National Development Council
Executive Director, Lacey MakerSpace
Executive Director, BNI Pacific Northwest
Co-founder and CMO, TheWMarketplace
Councilmember, City of Olympia
Thank you to our 2022 sponsors
WSECU
Washington State Employees Credit Union came back as INSPIRE’s gold sponsor.
“Because when women succeed, everyone succeeds.” Linsey Lee, WSECU
TheWMarketplace
The online marketplace for women-owned businesses sponsored INSPIRE for a second year.
“The INSPIRE event is so perfectly aligned with our mission as a business to support women entrepreneurs.” Susan Gates, TheWMarketplace
More INSPIRE years
INSPIRE 2027 is coming
Join the newsletter and we’ll share the date, tickets and speakers as soon as they’re ready.