Gateway to Success Small Business Program

This Spring, join other Washougal business owners and entrepreneurs for the Gateway to Success Series: Build Your Business Momentum. These FREE and engaging business education sessions are designed to help you succeed and connect with your local business community. Presented by the City of Washougal with support from the Washougal Business Association and sponsors, this series delivers actionable insights and tactics you can start implementing today in your business.

Each in-person session offers a presentation with essential strategies and tactics for small businesses, plus organized networking with peers. Following each session, attendees gain exclusive access to a group Zoom call where the presenter dives deeper into the series topics, answers questions, and demonstrates essential business tools you receive for free.

This is just the beginning of new initiatives to support the expanding Washougal business ecosystem as our community enters a new growth phase. We hope you will join us as we learn and grow together.

Session 1: Essential Financial Habits

In a Time of Economic Uncertainty

• Thursday, April 17, 10:30am-12:00pm
  Best Western Plus Camas-Washougal Convention Center
• Thursday, May 1, 10:30-11:45am
  Zoom follow-up to Session 1 (link sent after the April 17 event)

Manage your business finances during a challenging economic climate and come out stronger. Topics and the follow-up include:

• Strategies for weathering economic uncertainty and establishing new financial habits.
• An introduction to practical finance tools to help with cash flow, inventory, and payroll.
• Local programs available to support small businesses.
• A one hour workshop on how to use two key finance tools.

Register here.

Session 2: A.I. and Automation

Your Small Business Accelerators

• Thursday, May 15, 10:30am-12:00pm
  Best Western Plus Camas-Washougal Convention Center
• Thursday, May 29, 10:30-11:45am
  Zoom follow-up to Session 2 (link sent after the May 15 event)

Unlock the potential of Artificial Intelligence and automation technologies to boost your productivity and enhance your business success. This session and the follow-up include:

• Practical applications of AI in daily and advanced business tasks
• Affordable automation tools suitable for small businesses that will free up your time.
• How to use ChatGPT as your small business co-pilot beyond writing content.

Register here.

Session 3: Smarter Marketing for Your Small Business

The Best ROI for Your Efforts

• Thursday, June 12, 10:30am-12:00pm
  54°40′ BEER, 3801 S Truman St
• Thursday, June 26, 10:30-11:45am
  Zoom follow-up to Session 3 (link sent after the June 12 event)

Discover how to maximize your marketing impact with a budget that fits your business. The session and follow-up include:

• The best and most affordable marketing tactics to use today. And what not to do.
• Optimizing your customer experience
• When and how to hire marketing support
• A facilitated discussion around local marketing strategies

Register here.

Join one or all Gateway to Success series sessions to empower your business, connect with your community, and unlock new growth opportunities!