WSMA Mission, Vision & Values

Our Mission

The Washington State Microenterprise Association’s mission is to strengthen economic development systems that support the growth of strong and effective Entrepreneur Support Organizations* (ESOs).

We do this through:

·      Building a coalition of organizations, agencies and individuals dedicated to microenterprise development

·      Providing leadership to the voice of microenterprise practitioners

·      Promoting microenterprise as a viable economic development tool

·      Supporting the capacity of microenterprise support organizations in providing: Self-employment education and assistance, Access to capital and micro-lending, Business creation and expansion support, Job creation, economic self-sufficiency and financial education

*What is an Entrepreneur Support Organization (ESO)? ESOs include but are not limited to: nonprofit business technical assistance providers, including CDFIs, that predominantly offer business training, technical assistance and/or microloans for the companies with 5 or fewer employees, including small businesses, gig entrepreneurs, business owners with limited incomes, rural businesses, people with disabilities, those from historically marginalized communities and others.

Here are samples of Washington State ESOs that are part of WSMA’s Partner Network.

Our Vision

The Washington State Microenterprise Association champions collaboration for economic justice where every micro-entrepreneur has equal access to economic development resources.

Our Values

Collaboration

We believe we can get further faster together.

Economic Justice

We value financial viability and equality for every person in our state.

Environmental Sustainability

We acknowledge that how a business operates is as important as what it does.

Advocacy

We value the voice of entrepreneurs in Washington.