Returning to Seattle: Building Entrepreneur Ecosystems and Empowering Our Community

I recently returned to Seattle to do something close to my heart—helping to build entrepreneurial ecosystems in our community. My dear friend and client, Sharonda Duncan of Your Healing Matters, asked me to put together a panel on this very topic, and I jumped at the chance. There’s a lot of misunderstanding about what our local Office of Economic Development (OED) does, and I’m all about educating people on the resources available to them. Often, folks are unaware of the help that’s right at their fingertips, and I feel a strong responsibility to change that.

I had 25 people RSVP, but as it often goes, only 13 showed up. The ones who needed to be in the room most weren’t there. It’s funny, I hear all the time from people about how much they need help when I come back home, but it’s rare to see them in the spaces where they can actually take that next step forward. Still, the discussion we had was rich, and the insights shared were invaluable.

One of the gems of the day was Dr. Babers, who led us through a powerful exercise of visualizing the people we need to meet in order to build our entrepreneur ecosystems. It was a reminder that success isn’t just about resources—it’s about relationships. I’ve known Mark Rivers almost my entire life, but until this panel, I didn’t realize his family owned a CDL Truck Repair business. It was also eye-opening to learn from him that the East African community in Seattle has this market on lock. It’s another example of how communities find niches and thrive, even if it’s under the radar for many of us.

Another unforgettable moment came when Colina Bruce Noir Lux Candle Bar shared the story of a homicide that occurred in a shared kitchen space. This tragedy had nothing to do with the business owner, yet it put his business at risk of being shut down because of senseless violence. These are the stories you don’t hear about often but are real challenges that entrepreneurs face in urban communities. We sat in a circle to ensure everyone was seen and heard, which really brought home the importance of being present and engaged in these conversations.

We were also fortunate to hear from Trey Lamont of Jerk Shack Seattle, who gave insightful commentary on his experience with cooking and working in the family business. He emphasized the importance of group economics and how collective efforts can push the community forward. Following Trey, Jimaine Miller took the stage and spoke passionately about teaching Seattle history to kids while also teaching them how to cook. His holistic approach to education and skill-building was a powerful reminder that entrepreneurial ecosystems are built through cultural preservation and practical training.

We were also honored to have Nola Liu, the Senior Grants & Contracts Specialist for Seattle’s Office of Economic Development, attend the event. Black entrepreneurs in Seattle, like in many places, sometimes lean into excuses for why they aren’t reaching the next level. Our community, at times, suffers from not believing in itself. Nola would’ve provided essential insights into what the OED needs from entrepreneurs in order to help them. It’s frustrating because the resources are there, but without showing up and taking that step, we continue to miss out on what could be transformative opportunities.

Finally, I want to extend a special thank you to the Central Area Collaborative, Gavin Amos, and Heyward Watson for providing the platform to build and discuss these critical topics, and to Seattle Made Space for providing us with the space to gather and share ideas.

Ultimately, the panel served as a reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t just about having a business plan—it’s about cultivating the right relationships, understanding the ecosystem you’re in, and showing up where it counts. The people in the room got a lot out of it, and I hope next time, we see even more of those who need it most.

Let’s continue to show up, engage, and build the future we deserve.