For Tacoma small business owner Mattice Hoyt, receiving a Small Business Grant from WorkForce Central provided her not only a more efficient means to do business and the ability to hire an additional employee but also safety and security in her operations. Through the Small Business Grant, Mattice was able to purchase a Square point-of-sale system, security cameras, and lockable shelving for her beauty supply business, Mattice Beauty Supply.

“As a disabled business owner, my disability has made me an easy mark for petty theft,” Mattice said. “With the grant, I was able to get lockable shelving in both my conference room and sales floor, thus opening shelf space behind my counter for more items since now I can put my wigs in locking cases. This grant also allowed me to get items that would benefit my community conference space. Like a refrigerator for our community meals and shelving for art supplies.”

And as a result of acquiring a system that can help with payroll, Mattice says she plans to hire an additional employee.

Thank you to the Washington State Department of Commerce for partnering with Local Workforce Boards on this initiative that supports small businesses and provides opportunities for them to grow.