In The Den with SIMBA x Spokast!

In this episode of In The Den, we sit down with Andrew Bryan from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries Small Business Office to break down one of the most misunderstood resources available to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Whether you’re just starting your business or have been operating for years, chances are you’ve had questions about workers’ compensation, hiring...

In this episode of In The Den, we sit down with Deb, Julie, and Alex from Global Neighborhood Thrift to talk about the mission behind one of Spokane’s most unique organizations. A lot of people know Global Neighborhood for the thrift store and the incredible vintage finds, but behind the scenes, they’re doing something much bigger. Through workforce development, English language classes, job train...

In this episode of In the Den, we sit down with Brittany Stodgell and Millie Schnebly, the co-founders of Maker + Made, to talk about what it really takes to build a brand that lasts in today’s fast-moving business world. Founded in 2019 by two best friends, Maker + Made has grown into a full-service creative agency based in downtown Spokane, helping businesses connect with their audience through...

In this episode of In the Den , we sit down with Kasey Davis and Lars Gilberts from Numerica Credit Union to talk about the role community banking plays in supporting small businesses across Spokane and Eastern Washington. Kasey works directly with entrepreneurs and nonprofits as a Business Banking Relationship Officer, helping them access the tools and financing they need to grow. Lars focuses on...

In this episode of In The Den , I sat down with Renée Cebula , the historian‑turned‑entrepreneur behind Badass Bitters , Badass Barware , and Raising the Bar — three Spokane-born businesses built around cocktail history, education, and hands‑on creativity. Renée doesn’t just make bitters. She teaches people the story behind them — how bitters moved from ancient medicine to the backbone of American...

In this episode of In The Den , we sit down with Amber Jasmin, CPA and CFO of Jasmin Group — a powerhouse business and accounting consultancy in Spokane helping small businesses, nonprofits, and startups thrive. Amber walks us through the Jasmin Group story, from its Boston roots to its Spokane relaunch. We talk about their commitment to financial transparency, community impact, and how they’ve bu...

In this episode of In The Den, we sit down with the team at Vexing Media — a full-service creative studio based in the heart of Spokane. Known for their work on projects like TEDxSpokane, NASA livestreams, and public health campaigns, Vexing is a powerhouse of video, web, and design, with deep roots in community-centered storytelling. We talk about how they’ve grown from a small web shop to a go-t...

In this episode of In The Den , we sit down with Carey Donaldson, the founder of New Beginning Spokane — the only student loan advocacy company in the nation. Carey shares how her path from aspiring educator to entrepreneur led her to create a business that helps people take control of their money and rewrite their financial futures. We talk about how New Beginning Spokane simplifies student loans...

In this episode of In the Den — the collaboration podcast between SIMBA and Spokast — hosts Robin Haynes & Brennon Poynor sits down with Josh Thomas , founder and creative director of Lejit Creative , a full-service branding agency based in Spokane. What started as a middle school moniker has grown into a studio that helps businesses across tech, entertainment, and sports build brands that res...

In this episode of In the Den — the collaboration podcast between SIMBA and Spokast — host Brennon & Alexis sit down with David and Helmer, the duo behind Mountain Top Mentality. What began as a travel-focused Instagram account during a cross-country adventure has since grown into a mission-driven lifestyle brand rooted in storytelling, community, and impact. From custom apparel to national pa...

In this very first episode of In the Den — a podcast collaboration between SIMBA and Spokast! — host Brennon sits down with Robin and Alexis of SIMBA to talk about the heart behind the show. They dive into what SIMBA stands for (literally and in spirit), how it supports small businesses and entrepreneurs across Spokane and Eastern Washington, and why launching this podcast was the next natural ste...