Show me the money (seriously, I need to fund this thing)
Let's talk about everyone's favorite topic: money. Specifically, how to get it for your business without maxing out credit cards or asking your uncle for a loan you'll both regret at Thanksgiving.
Here's the truth bomb: only 2% of venture capital financing goes to businesses founded by women. That stat is infuriating, but here's the good news: grants, loans, and funding programs specifically for women entrepreneurs actually exist, and Washington State is packed with resources you probably haven't heard about.
Ready to fund this dream? Let's go.
First, the reality check: How much do you actually need?
Before you start applying for every grant you see, you need to know how much money you actually need. The mistake many first-time entrepreneurs make—especially in Southwest Washington where cost of living varies dramatically between Vancouver and rural areas—is not being honest about startup costs.
StartUP 365's Megan Hulsey (who's been in your shoes as a former business owner) breaks it down beautifully. You've got two types of costs:
Fixed costs (the stuff that stays the same)
Rent or commercial space (if not home-based)
Insurance (liability, property, professional)
Professional fees (accountant, attorney, consultants)
Equipment and technology
Website hosting and domain
Business licenses and permits
Software subscriptions
Southwest Washington context: Office space in Vancouver costs significantly more than Longview or rural Clark County. Consider starting home-based if possible, or explore co-working spaces like Colab in downtown Vancouver.
Variable costs (the stuff that changes)
Raw materials and inventory
Packaging and shipping supplies
Delivery and transportation
Contractors and freelance help
Credit card processing fees
Marketing and advertising
That packaging tape you're always running out of
Pro tip from the StartUP 365 academy: Run your projections out for 24 months. Yes, two full years. You need to know not just your startup costs, but how long you'll be bleeding money before you turn profitable. Nobody likes that conversation, but it's better to know now than to be shocked six months in.
Use the Business Model Canvas from Part 2 to calculate these numbers realistically.
Part 4 of a 6-week series on business entrepreneurship
Women throughout Southwest Washington gain the financial education they need to successfully raise and manage business capital. Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com.
Support women entrepreneurs accessing capital
“When you donate to Woman of Wonder, you’re helping women throughout Southwest Washington gain the financial education they need to successfully raise and manage business capital. Your tax-deductible contribution removes barriers to financial literacy and business success.
Support women entrepreneurs: Visit womanofwonder.org/donate to invest in women building financially sustainable businesses.”
The grants goldmine (free money exists, seriously)
Let's start with the fun stuff: money you don't have to pay back. Yes, it's competitive. Yes, there are hoops to jump through. But free money is worth a little paperwork.
National Grants for Women Entrepreneurs
The Amber Grant
Awards $10,000 monthly to women-owned businesses, with one winner getting an additional $25,000 yearly. The application is simple and costs just $15. They're looking for women with passion and a good story. You've got both.
Application: ambergrantsforwomen.com
The High Five Grant from Mama Ladder
Offers $25,000 to the top winner, $10,000 to second place, and $5,000 to third. This one's specifically for moms, including stepmoms and foster moms.
The Fearless Fund
In partnership with Mastercard, offers $20,000 grants to Black women-owned businesses, plus digital tools and mentorship.
Washington State specific resources
Here's where it gets local and exciting.
Linked Deposit Loan Program
Offers loans and working capital to businesses certified as minority or women-owned by the Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE). This program links the state's budget surplus to commercial loans, which means better terms for you.
Get certified through OMWBE to access this and other state programs. The certification opens doors to state contracts, preferential lending, and grant opportunities. omwbe.wa.gov
Small Business Flex Fund
Low-interest loans up to $150,000 for small businesses and nonprofits in Washington State for expansion, equipment, inventory, and working capital. smallbusinessflexfund.org
Export Assistance Programs
If you're thinking about selling outside Washington or even internationally, Commerce offers grants and reimbursements up to $5,000 for export-related activities.
Southwest Washington Local Funding
Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
Connects members with local lenders, investors, and funding opportunities specific to Clark County businesses.
Columbia River Economic Development Council
Serves Clark and Skamania counties with business development resources and funding connections.
Cowlitz Economic Development Council
Supports Longview-area businesses with local lending programs and grant opportunities.
Don't overlook local community foundations and regional banks. They often have small business grant programs specifically for Southwest Washington entrepreneurs.
The loan landscape (borrowing doesn't have to be scary)
If grants feel too competitive or you need money faster, loans are your friend. And no, you don't need perfect credit or a trust fund.
SBA loans: Your new best friend
The SBA 7(a) program offers loans up to $5 million for a wide range of business purposes. Microloans go up to $50,000, perfect for startups and early-stage businesses.
The SBA 8(a) Business Development program helps small, disadvantaged businesses (including women-owned) compete for federal contracts and access capital with favorable terms.
Where to apply: Start with local SBA-approved lenders in Southwest Washington, including community banks and credit unions familiar with regional business needs.
Review tailored resources to help women entrepreneurs fund their business: sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/women-owned-businesses
Community lenders that actually get it
Traditional banks can be... difficult. But Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) exist specifically to help underserved business owners. They offer more flexible terms and actually understand that women entrepreneurs face unique challenges.
SNAP Financial Access in Washington focuses on serving historically disadvantaged groups, including women. They offer loans from $5,000 to $150,000 for equipment, inventory, working capital, and more.
Craft3 serves Oregon and Washington with mission-driven lending for small businesses, particularly women-owned and minority-owned businesses in underserved communities.
The crowdfunding wild card
If the traditional route feels too stuffy, crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, Wefunder, and GoFundMe let you raise money directly from people who believe in your vision.
The bonus? It validates your business idea through community support. People voting with their wallets tells you there's real demand.
The catch? It requires a killer pitch, constant engagement, and thick skin for when Aunt Linda asks why you're "begging for money on the internet."
Best for: Product launches, creative projects, community-focused businesses, and businesses with compelling stories that resonate with Southwest Washington communities.
Understanding finances: The Woman of Wonder connection
Here's where we get real: understanding finances is the difference between running a business and running a business into the ground.
If accounting and financial management make your eyes glaze over, that's exactly why you should take a class. Woman of Wonder scholarships can fund business courses, accounting classes, or financial literacy training at Clark College, Lower Columbia College, or WSU Vancouver.
Scholarship support for financial education
We provide partial tuition scholarships for women in Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties pursuing:
Accounting and financial management courses
Business finance and capital access programs
Bookkeeping and QuickBooks training
Financial analysis and projections
Any education that strengthens financial literacy
Because here's the secret: knowing how to manage money is just as important as getting it in the first place.
Whether you need to understand cash flow, profit and loss statements, or how to read a balance sheet without panicking, education is the investment that pays back forever.
Apply for scholarships: Visit womanofwonder.org/scholarships to learn about requirements and deadlines.
Support women entrepreneurs accessing capital
When you donate to Woman of Wonder, you're helping women throughout Southwest Washington gain the financial education they need to successfully raise and manage business capital. Your tax-deductible contribution removes barriers to financial literacy and business success—and strengthens our entire regional economy.
Support women entrepreneurs and invest in women building financially sustainable businesses in Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties.
Your Homework: Funding Action Steps
Action Step 1: Calculate your real startup costs
Use the categories from StartUP 365. Be brutally honest. Include 24 months of projections. Know your burn rate (how fast you'll spend money before profitability).
Action Step 2: Take the access to capital course
Take Megan Hulsey's Access to Capital course on mystartup365.com. She explains cash flow, P&L statements, and balance sheets in English, not accountant-speak.
Action Step 3: Apply for three grants this month
Yes, three. The Amber Grant, one national grant that fits your business, and one Washington State program. Set aside dedicated time to complete applications properly.
Action Step 4: Get OMWBE certified
Check if your business qualifies for certification with the Office of Minority & Women's Business Enterprises. That certification opens doors to state programs, preferential loans, and contract opportunities.
Apply: omwbe.wa.gov
Action Step 5: Connect with Washington Women's Business Center
They offer free consulting and can connect you with funding sources you didn't know existed. Bring your business plan, financial projections, and questions.
Connect: businessimpactnw.org/washington-womens-business-center
Action Step 6: Research Southwest Washington lenders
Make a list of:
SBA-approved lenders in Vancouver and Longview
Community banks familiar with SW Washington businesses
Credit unions offering small business loans
CDFIs serving your area
Schedule informational meetings even if you're not ready to borrow yet. Build relationships before you need them.
Remember: The only number that counts is the balance in your bank account at the end of the day. Be conservative with projections, question every expense, and don't count money until it's actually deposited.
Next Week: Holy crap, we're really doing this (launch time!)
You've got your plan, your structure, your funding. Now it's time to actually open for business. We're covering marketing basics, building buzz, and how to tell the world you exist without feeling like a total fraud or spending your entire budget on ads that don't work.
This is where it gets real, and real fun.
See you next week, funded entrepreneurs. That dream just got a bank account.
Resources for business funding
Resources for Business Funding
StartUP 365 - Access to Capital Course
Free training on financial projections and funding
mystartup365.com
The Amber Grant
Monthly $10,000 grants for women entrepreneurs
ambergrantsforwomen.com
Washington State OMWBE Certification
Certification for women-owned businesses
omwbe.wa.gov
SBA Women's Business Centers
Free consulting and funding connections
sba.gov/local-assistance/womens-business-centers
Washington State Department of Commerce
Small Business Flex Fund and other programs
commerce.wa.gov
SNAP Financial Access
CDFI lending for women and minority entrepreneurs
snapfinancialaccess.org
Woman of Wonder Scholarships
Support for women pursuing financial literacy education
womanofwonder.org/scholarships
Woman of Wonder Donations
Help fund business education for women in Southwest Washington
womanofwonder.org/donate
