Frequently Asked Questions
What is HIKE?
HIKE stands for Her Innovation, Knowledge & Empowerment. We’re a Spokane-based, women-led business community designed to support women entrepreneurs, professionals, creatives, and changemakers. Through mentorship, events, learning, and access to capital, we help women rise—together.
Who is HIKE for?
HIKE is built for women and women-identifying individuals in Spokane County and surrounding areas. While anyone can sign up for our mailing list, our membership, programs, and events are exclusively for women and women-identifying individuals.
Do I have to live in Spokane to join?
Right now, we’re focused on building community in Spokane County and nearby counties. If you're a woman doing business in or around this region—or deeply connected to it—you’re welcome to join. Our newsletter and some digital content are open to a broader audience, but our core membership is hyperlocal by design.
How do I join the HIKE community?
You can sign up for free to receive our monthly newsletter, open event invites, and community updates. To access our full offerings—including the business directory, mentorship, events, and funding resources—explore our paid membership tiers.
Is HIKE a safe space for LGBTQIA+ women and nonbinary individuals?
Yes—HIKE is proudly inclusive and affirming of LGBTQIA+ identities. We are intentional about creating psychological safety in every space we hold, and we work to center voices often left out of traditional business communities.
Does HIKE offer mentorship?
Yes. HIKE offers peer mentorship, skill-sharing, and community connection through structured programs and informal support. We’re building a mentorship map so members can find guidance at any stage of their career or business journey.
How can I list my business in the HIKE directory?
Business listings are available to members. Once you join, you’ll be invited to create your profile, which can include your business bio, services, contact info, and social links. Listings are searchable by industry, county, and identity tags.
Is HIKE a networking group?
Yes and no. HIKE is a community ecosystem—part directory, part learning space, part financial access platform. We’re focused on creating meaningful impact through mentorship, education, funding, and local visibility—not just surface-level networking.
Does HIKE offer access to funding or financial services?
We are actively developing partnerships to provide capital access, including venture funding, grants, microloans, and financial literacy resources. This is part of our Empowerment pillar—because business growth should never be limited by lack of capital.
Can men join or attend events?
Not at this time. HIKE is designed to support the advancement of women, and we’re intentional about protecting the psychological safety of our members. We may offer ally opportunities in the future, but membership and events are currently reserved for women and nonbinary individuals.
What makes HIKE different from other women’s groups?
We’re not just a networking group—we’re a full ecosystem built to support women’s success from the ground up.
At HIKE, we go beyond business cards and coffee chats. We’re creating a system that supports the whole woman—personally, professionally, and financially. We are proudly women-led, women-owned, and rooted in Spokane County, building something scalable for other under-resourced cities across the country.
But what truly makes us different? Even if we’re not your perfect fit, we’ll help you find the community that is. We believe there’s no one-size-fits-all path to success—and every woman deserves support on hers. So whether you hike with us or find another trail, we’ll still cheer you on.
