Resources

The Veteran Business Outreach Program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. The SBA has 22 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).

We empower entrepreneurs, veterans, and people in rural areas to thrive and create financial well-being for themselves. Over the past 20 years, we’ve provided financial training, business training, business technical assistance, and microloans. We support people who are interested in starting or growing a small business, in order to create income for themselves and their families. In this way, we build communities in the many counties in Washington that we serve. 

We serve individuals living in or who have businesses in Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Pierce (agriculture) Grays Harbor, Pacific, Clallam, Wahkiakum and Jefferson Counties in Washington.

Veterans: All programs are FREE and available to Veterans in Washington State thanks to funding from the WA State Department of Veterans Affairs

The Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises is charged with certifying small, minority and women-owned businesses to facilitate their participation in public contracting and procurement. This is accomplished through a comprehensive certification process and education. The outcome - successful small businesses led by minorities, women and veterans help make our economy and our families more resilient, strengthening our communities and improving the quality of life for all Washingtonians.

The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations.

Bunker Labs was built by military veteran entrepreneurs to empower other military veterans as leaders in innovation. The organization provides educational programming, mentors, events and thriving local networks to help military veterans start and grow businesses.

Get Verified to do Business with VA

Get verified through the Vets First Verification Program to participate in the Veterans First Contracting Program for VA set-asides and sole-source contracts for SDVOSBs and VOSBs.

This is a road map for opening a business in the state of Washington. There are eight steps in the road map but not all of them will apply to your business. We recommend you read through all steps in this road map before applying for your business license. You can download the Road Map as a PDF file if you prefer that format.

Here are the 8 steps:

1. Research and make a plan;
2. Register your business with the Secretary of State (SOS);
3. License your business with the Department of Revenue (DOR);
4. Report your new employees to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS);
5. Apply for a Reseller Permit with the Department of Revenue (DOR);
6. Register as a contractor with Department of Labor & Industries (L&I);
7. Contact your local health department for food handling requirements; and
8. Check with your City and/or County for their requirements.

Start here to see what's involved in each step

The Veteran’s Incubator for Better Entrepreneurship (VIBE) provides military veterans, and military spouses the education, resources, and supportive environment to use their natural inclinations and skills to innovate and create their own professional lanes through entrepreneurship. VIBE, taps into several Washington regional assets—motivated veterans, a supportive community, a university setting—with the goal of supporting students as they learn about entrepreneurship and turn their ideas into viable businesses.

No cost, confidential, one-on-one technical assistance in all aspects of selling to federal, state, and local governments.

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The Small Business Guides provides helpful information, links to valuable resources, and outlines the steps for starting and operating a business in Washington state. The Small Business Guide is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese.

The Business Guide includes sections that will help you plan, run, grow, or close a business in Washington State.

The Veteran Business Outreach Program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. The SBA has 22 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).

The Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises is charged with certifying small, minority and women-owned businesses to facilitate their participation in public contracting and procurement. This is accomplished through a comprehensive certification process and education. The outcome - successful small businesses led by minorities, women and veterans help make our economy and our families more resilient, strengthening our communities and improving the quality of life for all Washingtonians.

The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations.

Bunker Labs was built by military veteran entrepreneurs to empower other military veterans as leaders in innovation. The organization provides educational programming, mentors, events and thriving local networks to help military veterans start and grow businesses.

The Veteran Business Outreach Program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. The SBA has 22 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).

The Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises is charged with certifying small, minority and women-owned businesses to facilitate their participation in public contracting and procurement. This is accomplished through a comprehensive certification process and education. The outcome - successful small businesses led by minorities, women and veterans help make our economy and our families more resilient, strengthening our communities and improving the quality of life for all Washingtonians.

Bunker Labs was built by military veteran entrepreneurs to empower other military veterans as leaders in innovation. The organization provides educational programming, mentors, events and thriving local networks to help military veterans start and grow businesses.

Get Verified to do Business with VA

Get verified through the Vets First Verification Program to participate in the Veterans First Contracting Program for VA set-asides and sole-source contracts for SDVOSBs and VOSBs.

This is a road map for opening a business in the state of Washington. There are eight steps in the road map but not all of them will apply to your business. We recommend you read through all steps in this road map before applying for your business license. You can download the Road Map as a PDF file if you prefer that format.

Here are the 8 steps:

1. Research and make a plan;
2. Register your business with the Secretary of State (SOS);
3. License your business with the Department of Revenue (DOR);
4. Report your new employees to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS);
5. Apply for a Reseller Permit with the Department of Revenue (DOR);
6. Register as a contractor with Department of Labor & Industries (L&I);
7. Contact your local health department for food handling requirements; and
8. Check with your City and/or County for their requirements.

Start here to see what's involved in each step

The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations.

The Veteran’s Incubator for Better Entrepreneurship (VIBE) provides military veterans, and military spouses the education, resources, and supportive environment to use their natural inclinations and skills to innovate and create their own professional lanes through entrepreneurship. VIBE, taps into several Washington regional assets—motivated veterans, a supportive community, a university setting—with the goal of supporting students as they learn about entrepreneurship and turn their ideas into viable businesses.

No cost, confidential, one-on-one technical assistance in all aspects of selling to federal, state, and local governments.

Subscribe to Newsletter

The Small Business Guides provides helpful information, links to valuable resources, and outlines the steps for starting and operating a business in Washington state. The Small Business Guide is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese.

The Business Guide includes sections that will help you plan, run, grow, or close a business in Washington State.

County Services for County Veterans

The Veterans Bureau administers the Veterans' Assistance Fund as mandated by State Law to provide emergency relief to indigent veterans residing in Pierce County. The purpose of the Veteran's Assistance Fund is to provide emergency assistance to qualified veterans in need. It is funded by Pierce County using property tax dollars. We are not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and assistance is provided on an emergency need basis only. 

Partnerships

We also partner with other agencies and organizations to act as a central collection point for the veteran community. 

• The Pierce County Veterans Bureau has the right to verify all information on any application and to share information with other counties to establish statistical data and prevent fraud.
• Assistance is provided in the form of vouchers only. No cash is provided.
• Non-receipt of checks (VA, Social Security, Military Retainer, etc.) is not considered automatic entitlement to assistance.
• The purpose of the Veterans Assistance Fund is to provide emergency assistance to qualified veterans in need and is funded by Pierce County using property tax dollars. We are not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and assistance is provided on an emergency need basis only.

For More Information

For more information about services offered by the Veterans Bureau, call us at (253) 798-7449 or toll free at 1 (800) 992-2456.

County Services for County Veterans

The Veterans Bureau administers the Veterans' Assistance Fund as mandated by State Law to provide emergency relief to indigent veterans residing in Pierce County. The purpose of the Veteran's Assistance Fund is to provide emergency assistance to qualified veterans in need. It is funded by Pierce County using property tax dollars. We are not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and assistance is provided on an emergency need basis only. 

Partnerships

We also partner with other agencies and organizations to act as a central collection point for the veteran community. 

• The Pierce County Veterans Bureau has the right to verify all information on any application and to share information with other counties to establish statistical data and prevent fraud.
• Assistance is provided in the form of vouchers only. No cash is provided.
• Non-receipt of checks (VA, Social Security, Military Retainer, etc.) is not considered automatic entitlement to assistance.
• The purpose of the Veterans Assistance Fund is to provide emergency assistance to qualified veterans in need and is funded by Pierce County using property tax dollars. We are not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and assistance is provided on an emergency need basis only.

For More Information

For more information about services offered by the Veterans Bureau, call us at (253) 798-7449 or toll free at 1 (800) 992-2456.

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is a nine-member council supported by a cabinet-level state agency. By statute, the Council provides strategic planning, oversight, advocacy, and program administration to support increased student success and higher levels of educational attainment in Washington.

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is a nine-member council supported by a cabinet-level state agency. By statute, the Council provides strategic planning, oversight, advocacy, and program administration to support increased student success and higher levels of educational attainment in Washington.

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is a nine-member council supported by a cabinet-level state agency. By statute, the Council provides strategic planning, oversight, advocacy, and program administration to support increased student success and higher levels of educational attainment in Washington.

Virginia Kathleen Cailleteau is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) in Washington state. After completing her Master of Social Work at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA (2006-2007), Virginia has worked in a wide array of settings including rural and urban/suburban community mental health, wraparound services for children and youth, and clinical work as a Department of Defense contractor. She has practiced social work in Louisiana, South Carolina, Georgia, and Washington.

Virginia deeply appreciates her family’s heritage of military and governmental service, and honors the friendship of several Post-9/11 veterans as significant influences in her life. As a result, Virginia understands both the day-to-day and long-lasting impacts of military service. She is a graduate of Hakomi somatic-based training, and also has some training in Prolonged Exposure and Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and other therapeutic approaches. Virginia currently splits her time between Horses Guiding Humans (an equine assisted therapy program in Graham) and a private office practice in Olympia, celebrating the unique gifts of both practice settings.

Dan was in the Air Force for almost 30 years as a pilot, planner, strategist, instructor, and leader. He traveled the world working with soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines; and gained experience in combat and other stressful situations. After serving his country, he continued to serve as a teacher and school counselor. He started Camano Counseling, Consulting, and Wellness in 2022 in order to help people using multiple programs, techniques, and resources. He is experienced at helping people identify their thoughts, manage their emotions, and improve their communication with others. His goal is to help people of all backgrounds and ages live a happier and healthy life. His experience makes him especially good with helping veterans, students, and those dealing with stress, anxiety, and trauma.

Dan’s education includes an A.S. in Avionics, B.A. in Geography, M.S. in Aeronautical Science, M.Ed in School Counseling as well as several programs in ethics, problem solving, and leadership.

Dan’s major certifications include: Nationally Certified Counselor, Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate, Washington State Certified School Counselor and Teacher, Telemental Health Provider Associate, Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training certification, Social-Emotional First Aid certification, and Certified Multi-cultural instructor.
 

H Roksan Biktimir, PhD, is a licensed mental health counselor and board-certified trauma treatment specialist.  She has spent over 45 years in the field of mental health in both the administrative and clinical realms.  She has been an approved supervisor with the State of Washington since 2004.

Over the years Dr. Biktimir has held a wide variety of positions including Administrative Director and Executive Director of a community mental health agency, she established a non-profit organization that managed a family support center and founded a parent training program and used bookstore among other programs sponsored by the family support center.  Clinically Dr. Biktimir has worked in a 15-bed inpatient psychiatric unit while also maintaining a private practice.  Currently she has a small private practice and specializes in trauma disorders.  Dr. Biktimir holds a master’s degree in Business Administration, a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology.