Empower Your Business at CONVERGE: KEDA’s BIPOC Biz Forum & Matchstick Lab Business Accelerator Afternoon

Connecting with the right partners, resources, and insights can help a small business reach its next stage of growth. On Wednesday, Oct. 21, the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) brings together entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community advisors at the Kitsap Conference Center in Bremerton for CONVERGE: BIPOC Biz Forum & Matchstick Lab Business Accelerator Afternoon.

Designed to activate collective expertise across Kitsap, CONVERGE offers a day of networking, actionable education, and practical workshops aimed at helping local small businesses launch, scale, and thrive.

Register for the morning session, afternoon session, or spend the whole day with us. Come connect with fellow business owners, lenders, and local resource providers all in one place.

(Lunch included in all ticket levels. Social Hour included in afternoon and full-day tickets

Morning Session: Capital, Resources & Business Basics

Access to Capital Panel

Hear directly from local financial institutions about what lenders look for in a loan application and how to find the right financing for your business. Panelists will share practical tips for preparing to borrow and answer your questions about the lending process.

Reverse Pitch

In this reverse pitch, the resource providers do the pitching. Representatives from the Small Business Development Center and other support organizations will share how their services can help your business level up, from advising and training to connections that fuel growth.

Core Business Basics with BE$T

The morning wraps up with an overview of the Business Education Support Training (BE$T) program from Kitsap Community Resources (KCR). This 8-week intensive course gives aspiring and existing entrepreneurs the tools to build sustainable businesses, covering:
●    Business Concept: Defining your offerings and target customers.
●    Finances: Cash flow, break-even analysis, taxes, and financial statements.
●    Operations & Marketing: Legal structure, sales campaigns, and business planning.
●    One-on-One Coaching: Personalized guidance from experienced professionals.
 

Lunchtime Keynote: "Mainstreet Owner's Manual, Some Assembly Required" with Jimmy Harris of Harris Management Services

All attendees are welcome for lunch. Keynote speaker Jimmy Harris, owner and operator of 16 small businesses in Kitsap County and founder of Harris Management Services, will share inspiration and practical advice from years of running businesses on the ground.

Harris Management Services provides small business and property management consulting to entrepreneurs across King, Pierce, Kitsap, and Mason Counties, helping owners avoid common growth pitfalls, streamline operations, and scale sustainably.

Afternoon Session: Matchstick Lab Micro Business Accelerator in Action

The afternoon session shifts into a hands-on, interactive business lab running from 1:30 PM to 3:45 PM, facilitating practical peer learning and actionable problem-solving. This afternoon session is presented by Matchstick Lab, a nonprofit initiative founded by the team behind Vibe Coworks to help Kitsap entrepreneurs turn bold ideas into businesses that strengthen our region and bring value to the world. Matchstick Lab accelerates learning, connects capital, and tells the stories of what Kitsap is building 

“Kitsap’s entrepreneurs already hold an incredible amount of knowledge, experience and hard-earned wisdom. Our goal for the Matchstick Lab afternoon is to put that collective expertise to work, giving business owners practical ways to tackle the challenges in front of them and helping them build relationships they can continue to draw on long after CONVERGE is over.”

— Alanna Imbach, Executive Director, Matchstick Lab + Founder, Vibe Coworks

1:30 – 1:50 PM | The Answers Are Already In The Room

Opening with rapid table introductions, participants share their background, connection to Kitsap’s business community, and one thing they hope to learn or contribute. This section establishes that collective expertise, from hiring to problem-solving, already exists among attendees.

1:50 – 2:20 PM | Work Smarter (Efficiency & Friction)

Featuring a short spark talk on moving from chaos to efficiency, followed by a "Find Your Friction" table lab where business owners and supporters identify operational bottlenecks and explore strategies to stop, simplify, systematize, delegate, or automate.

2:20 – 2:55 PM | Get Chosen (Storytelling & Clarity)

Centered on clear communication, this session covers telling a better business story by focusing on clarity over cleverness, addressing customer problems, and defining true value. Attendees participate in paired 30-second peer feedback exercises to refine their pitch.

2:55 – 3:20 PM | Financial Reality Check

A fast-paced panel discussion addressing rising costs, margin analysis, and financial indicators. Panelists address critical questions surrounding when to raise prices, absorb costs, or consult with bankers and accountants before facing financial strain.

3:20 – 3:45 PM | Give + Get Connection

To wrap up the interactive afternoon, attendees state one specific skill or resource they can offer and one area where they need advice, connections, or assistance, creating direct follow-up opportunities for the evening networking reception.

Reserve Your Spot Today

Don't miss this opportunity to gain actionable business insights, connect with regional advisors, and expand your professional network in Kitsap County. Reserve your admission through the CONVERGE Eventbrite registration page.