Business Brew: Entrepreneurial Success Through Community Engagement

Business Brew: Fostering Entrepreneurial Success Through Community Engagement

Business Brew returns to The Hive. Our guest will be Kelli Thompson, and we’ll chat about the importance of community engagement on entrepreneurship.

Business Brew is a simple idea—just coffee with a business expert. Business owners and entrepreneurs can ask questions and get real-time answers and feedback. The agenda and structure are simple and meant to inspire natural conversation. It’s an informal gathering designed to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Spokane region.

Kelli Thompson, the Program Coordinator for Gonzaga University’s New Venture Lab, is deeply committed to fostering a culture of learning by doing business. Each semester, she guides teams of students to assist local entrepreneurs with diverse challenges, from market research and finance to social media strategy and marketing.

Kelli’s journey into entrepreneurship began as a financial advisor for 18 years. In 2013, she took a bold step and purchased two full-service laundromats and a dry cleaner in Spokane. Her strategic acumen and dedication to creating a profitable business for future owners led to the successful sale of the company.

Kelli’s passion for entrepreneurship and interest in leveraging new technology solutions led her to establish Tokens Square, a small business consulting firm. Here, she imparted her knowledge to business owners, teaching them how to harness the power of emerging technologies like Web3 and AI and preparing them for the next wave of internet innovation.

In 2023, Kelli was the City Leader for Founders Live, a 99-second startup pitch competition. This experience gained her support from our local entrepreneurial community and opened her eyes to the importance of providing the tools, resources, and people to help young businesses grow. Recognizing this vital need in Spokane and CDA, Kelli made a bold move. She stepped down from Founders Live, rebranded Tokens Square to Next Level Venture, and continued her mission to support and elevate local entrepreneurs.

Next Level Venture partners with local entrepreneurial organizations to bring excitement and value with a dynamic pitch competition. The collaboration with Spokane/CDA organizations offers attendees an engaging and innovative experience. Additionally, Next Level brings together past and present competitors in a community to provide feedback and offer support as they take their businesses to the next level of growth.