Enterprise Nexus: Connecting Entrepreneurs in Seattle
The inaugural Enterprise Nexus event was a success!
Hosted by our WorkSource Seattle-King County One-Stop Operator Team — Niecko Glover, Harpreet Marwah, and Karel M. Cleveland — in partnership with Jay Lyman from The Seattle Public Library, this groundbreaking event brought together over 45 small businesses and 20 partner organizations for a day of learning, connection, and empowerment.
A Space for Collaboration and Community
Enterprise Nexus was designed to strengthen the ecosystem of small business support, particularly for Black and other underserved communities’ business owners and entrepreneurs in King County. The event created a space where business leaders, community advocates, and emerging entrepreneurs could connect authentically, share challenges, and explore real pathways toward growth.
Through discussions, networking, and resource sharing, attendees gained insights into funding, market research, and business development opportunities. Participants heard from a broad coalition of partners including financial institutions, business development centers, and nonprofit organizations, each offering unique tools to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into thriving enterprises.
One of the standout resources highlighted was the Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP) available through the Employment Security Department, which empowers individuals to move from concept to company by providing structured training, mentorship, and guidance for early-stage business development. This program, designed for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating unemployment or career transition, exemplifies how public workforce systems can nurture innovation and self-sufficiency.
The Seattle Public Library showcased how its resources can act as a hidden accelerator for small businesses. Through free access to premium market research databases, business planning tools, and one-on-one consultations with business librarians, SPL helps entrepreneurs gain data-driven insights that would otherwise be out of reach for many small business owners.
Equally inspiring was the emphasis on access to capital, led by organizations such as Denkyem Co-op, which offers community-based financing including loans up to $100,000 to support Black-owned businesses as they scale and strengthen their operations. In partnership with agencies like the Small Business Administration, Small Business Development Center, and BUILD 206, Enterprise Nexus demonstrated how collaboration can remove barriers and open new doors for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.
We were honored to host dynamic speakers who shared their experience and guidance with attendees, including Dei'Marlon “D” Scisney, President at The Data Guys™, Sarosh Nasim, Business Leader at Craft3, Amanda Williams, Chief Marketing Officer at Denkyem Co-op, Matt Pangallo, CDLP Coordinator at WorkSource North Seattle College, Tania Escudero, Shoreline Business Counselor at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and Neil Subhash, Outreach & Marketing Specialist at the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Gratitude goes to the many partner organizations that made this event a success including Black-Owned Business Excellence, Business Impact NW, Craft3, Denkyem Co-op, Friends of Little Saigon, SBA, SBDC, SCORE Mentors, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, BUILD 206, Evergreen Goodwill, Ventures, and more.
And a special shoutout to Converge Media LLC and Fox News TV Seattle for helping amplify this important work! You can watch their coverage of the event on their website.
To every entrepreneur who joined us, may you leave not only with a pocket full of business cards but with meaningful partnerships to power your journey ahead. We look forward to seeing you at the next Enterprise Nexus!