QUINCY — Starting a business takes more than a good idea. From understanding financial requirements and developing a business plan to marketing products and managing daily operations, prospective entrepreneurs face numerous challenges before they ever open their doors. Even established small business owners can struggle to find the resources and guidance needed to take their businesses to the next level.
A new community initiative in Quincy hopes to make that process easier by connecting aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners with educational opportunities, financial resources, and people who can help them succeed.
Café y Conexión held its inaugural gathering Monday, October 19, at the Unidos Nueva Alianza Foundation office at 119 J Street SW. The free, bilingual initiative is being developed by Unidos Nueva Alianza Foundation in partnership with SkillSource, following a similar program already operating in Othello.
TL;DR
New Business Resource: Café y Conexión launched October 19 in Quincy to connect aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners with resources, education, and networking opportunities.
Community-Driven: Eleven people attended the inaugural gathering to discuss what local entrepreneurs need and help shape future programming.
Financial Resources: SkillSource representatives discussed small business grants of up to $15,000, although current eligibility and funding availability require confirmation.
Open to Everyone: The free, bilingual initiative welcomes residents of Quincy, George, Ephrata, and surrounding communities.
Next Gathering: Monday, November 16, from 9–10 a.m. at 119 J Street SW in Quincy. The meeting will continue gathering community input.
Building a Resource for Local Entrepreneurs
Eleven people attended Monday’s gathering, including representatives from the organizing agencies, the Quincy and Othello chambers of commerce, local small business owners, and individuals with experience in marketing and business development. Rather than beginning with a formal presentation or training session, organizers used the initial meeting to gather input about what local entrepreneurs need and how the program could best serve the community.
The concept behind Café y Conexión is to create a place where people can find guidance, build relationships, and learn from others who have experience operating businesses.
For someone considering starting a business, that might mean learning how to develop a business plan, understand financial responsibilities, or navigate the requirements of opening a business. For an established small business owner, the challenges may involve marketing, technology, managing growth, or finding the resources necessary to expand.
Organizers envision Café y Conexión as a way to bring those needs together with organizations and individuals who can provide assistance. The initiative is modeled after a similar program in Othello, where SkillSource and community partners have already been working to connect entrepreneurs with resources and support.
A representative from the Othello Chamber of Commerce attended Monday’s gathering, providing insight from the existing program as Quincy begins developing its own approach.
According to SkillSource’s business support information, Café y Conexión is part of its broader effort to connect small business owners with educational opportunities and professional relationships. The organization also offers a similar program called Business is Brewing, conducted in English, while Café y Conexión is bilingual and primarily conducted in Spanish. Both programs feature rotating community partners and business-development topics.
The goal is not simply to provide another networking opportunity. Organizers hope to develop a resource where business owners can exchange experiences, learn from one another, and connect with educational programs, knowledgeable speakers, and organizations equipped to help them address specific business challenges.
Learning What the Community Needs
Much of Monday’s discussion centered on identifying the types of assistance that would be most valuable to local entrepreneurs and how those resources could be made accessible to the community.
Participants discussed potential educational sessions covering practical business skills, presentations from individuals with specialized knowledge, and opportunities for business owners to share experiences and advice. Financial management, marketing, and technology were among the subjects suggested for future programming.
The conversation also explored how networking opportunities could help established business owners develop relationships with newer entrepreneurs and others working in the local business community. Participants discussed the importance of creating a consistent presence so residents would recognize Café y Conexión as an ongoing resource rather than an occasional event.
Organizers are considering a monthly format that would rotate between educational opportunities, networking activities, and sessions designed to gather community input. Specific programming has not yet been established, and the next gathering will continue the process of identifying community needs.
Monday’s attendance also illustrated the early stage of the initiative. While several organizations and individuals interested in providing resources participated, only a small number of independent business owners attended. Reaching additional entrepreneurs and encouraging their participation will be an important part of developing the program into a resource that reflects the needs of the local business community.
Connecting Businesses With Existing Resources
One of the more practical aspects of Café y Conexión is the opportunity to introduce entrepreneurs to assistance that may already be available through local and regional organizations.
SkillSource, one of the initiative’s organizing partners, provides workforce development services and works with employers throughout North Central Washington. Its business support programs include workshops, networking opportunities, employee training resources, and connections with regional economic development organizations.
During Monday’s discussion, representatives also described grant opportunities that have helped qualifying small businesses make specific investments needed for growth. Examples shared during the gathering included a business owner who received assistance purchasing a vehicle necessary for expansion, another who obtained funding for business signage, and a third who used grant assistance to expand into an adjoining commercial space.
Representatives discussed grants of up to $15,000, although the specific funding program associated with that amount was not identified during the meeting.
SkillSource has previously administered Small Business Investment Grants through the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Community Reinvestment Initiative. The program was designed to help qualifying businesses invest in equipment, training, marketing, licensing, inventory, supplies, and basic operations.
Under the organization’s published 2025 grant guidelines, eligible applicants could request up to $5,000. The program was available to businesses owned by Latine, Tribal, Black, Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs operating in Grant, Adams, Chelan, Douglas, or Okanogan counties. Applicants were required to have a valid business license, Washington State business registration, and documentation explaining how the proposed investment would benefit their business.
The 2025 application period closed in September of that year, and those guidelines do not establish whether similar funding is currently available. Business owners interested in future opportunities can review SkillSource’s Small Business Investment Grant information or contact the organization directly.
SkillSource also maintains a business support page with information about workshops, networking opportunities, regional economic development organizations, and statewide resources. Among those resources is the Washington Small Business Development Center, which provides free, confidential business advising.
The organization offers notification lists for upcoming business events and potential grant-funded opportunities when they become available. Additional information is available through its Business Support page.
Representatives from Unidos Nueva Alianza Foundation and the chambers of commerce also participated in discussions about connecting entrepreneurs with available resources. Individuals with professional experience in marketing and business development contributed ideas about potential educational opportunities and support.
The involvement of multiple organizations could allow Café y Conexión to serve as a connecting point, helping business owners identify where to find assistance rather than expecting any single organization to provide every service.
For someone unfamiliar with the process of starting or expanding a business, simply knowing which organizations to contact can be an important first step.
Supporting Quincy’s Small Business Community
Quincy’s economy includes major employers in agriculture, food processing, technology, and other industries, but locally owned small businesses also play an important role in the community. Restaurants, retail shops, contractors, service providers, and independent entrepreneurs provide goods and services while creating additional economic opportunities for residents.
Starting and maintaining those businesses can require knowledge and resources that aren’t always readily available to someone entering entrepreneurship for the first time. Access to experienced business owners, educational opportunities, and organizations familiar with business development can help bridge those gaps.
Café y Conexión is intended to provide those connections while allowing participants to help determine which resources and activities would be most useful.
The initiative is open to residents of Quincy, George, Ephrata, and surrounding communities. Participation is free, and gatherings are offered in both English and Spanish.
Missy Maldonado, a SkillSource representative and member of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce board, emphasized the program’s open invitation in a social media announcement promoting the initiative.
“Whether you’re a small business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply someone who wants to get more involved in the community, there’s a seat at the table for YOU!” Maldonado wrote.
Organizers hope the bilingual format will make resources accessible to more residents while bringing together people with different levels of business experience. Participants do not need to own an established business or have a completed business plan to attend.
Next Gathering Scheduled for November 16
The next Café y Conexión gathering is scheduled for Monday, November 16, from 9 to 10 a.m. at 119 J Street SW in Quincy.
Like the inaugural meeting, the November gathering will focus on listening to community members, identifying business needs, and gathering ideas that can help shape future educational opportunities and resources.
Organizers are encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs, established small business owners, and other interested community members to participate in the conversation.
Residents interested in learning more about Café y Conexión can contact Unidos Nueva Alianza Foundation at (509) 289-7637 or (509) 906-1560. The organization is located at 119 J Street SW in Quincy.
Information about SkillSource’s business assistance programs is available through its Business Support page or by calling (509) 663-3091.
What This Means to You
For residents considering starting a business, Café y Conexión offers an opportunity to learn about available resources, connect with experienced entrepreneurs, and find guidance on turning an idea into a functioning business. Existing business owners may discover assistance with marketing, financial management, technology, or expansion. Because the program is still developing, local entrepreneurs also have an opportunity to influence the types of classes, speakers, and resources offered in the future. Whether you’re preparing to open your first business or looking for ways to grow an established one, participating now could help ensure the program addresses the challenges you actually face.
From Business Ideas to Local Opportunities
Every successful business begins with an idea, but turning that idea into something sustainable takes knowledge, resources, and support. Café y Conexión is still in its earliest stages, and its success will depend on whether organizers can turn community input into practical assistance that entrepreneurs can rely on. With several local and regional organizations already involved, the foundation is beginning to take shape. The next step is bringing more aspiring entrepreneurs and established business owners to the table, helping ensure that the next generation of locally owned businesses has the opportunity to take root, grow, and thrive right here in the 98848.
