King's Dream Approved as a Mentor for Washington's Cannabis Social Equity Program
A New Mentor Role in a Statewide Equity Effort
On August 31, 2026, King's Dream Business Consulting and founder Jawan Harris were formally approved to serve as a mentor under Launch Industries, Inc.'s subcontract with Booth Management Consulting (BMC) — the firm coordinating mentor matching for the Washington State Cannabis Social Equity Technical Assistance & Grant Program on behalf of the Washington State Department of Commerce.
What the Program Does
Authorized under SB 5080 and administered by the Department of Commerce, the program sets aside more than $3.2 million in the current funding cycle to support Social Equity Applicants — individuals the state Liquor and Cannabis Board has approved as having been disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs — in opening and operating licensed cannabis retail stores. Technical assistance runs across five milestone phases, from initial business readiness through day-to-day operations, covering everything from business coaching and accounting to real estate negotiation, legal compliance, and workforce development. Full program details are available through the Washington State Department of Commerce.
This is a new funding cycle, not the state's first cannabis social equity mentorship effort: a 2024 round distributed $8.1 million to Liquor and Cannabis Board-approved Social Equity Applicants and Title Certificate Holders under RCW 43.330.540, which included its own mentorship and technical assistance component. The current FY2026–27 program is a separate cycle, with its own funding, timeline, and slate of approved mentors.
How Mentors Fit In
Mentors are reviewed and approved before they can provide reimbursable technical assistance, then matched to Social Equity Applicants by development phase and expertise, with conflicts of interest between participants prohibited. BMC, as prime contractor, handles application processing and eligibility review for the state; Launch Industries, led by founder Monica Colgan, handles day-to-day mentor coordination and case assignment.
King's Dream has been active in the program since a July 2026 kickoff, and continues regular coordination with the Launch Industries team — including recurring check-ins on case assignments and participant progress — as part of its approved mentor role.
“Technical assistance only means something if the mentor understands both the business fundamentals and the real-world barriers these entrepreneurs are navigating to get a license. We're glad to bring that experience to this program.” — Jawan Harris, Founder & Managing Partner, King's Dream Business Consulting
What's Next
King's Dream will continue working with the Launch Industries team to take on Social Equity Applicant cases as they're assigned, providing coaching and technical assistance through whatever phase of the licensing and launch process each participant is in.
Are you a Social Equity Applicant working toward a cannabis retail license in Washington State, or want to know more about how King's Dream supports entrepreneurs navigating state and local programs? Book a free discovery call and let's talk.
About King's Dream Business Consulting: Founded in 2019, King's Dream Business Consulting is a small business consulting and management firm established initially in response to Seattle's gentrification and displacement of its minority business communities. To date, King's Dream has served over 400 small businesses nationwide. King's Dream Business Consulting is a leading provider of business advisory services, offering strategic planning, marketing strategies, financial management, operational efficiency, and human resources consulting. Committed to the success of small businesses, King's Dream Business Consulting provides tailored guidance and support to drive sustainable growth.
The Local Mogul is King's Dream Business Consulting's blog, covering news, wins, and insight from our work with public agencies, Tribal governments, and community partners across Washington State.
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