MBA-AIE Alumni Launch Ventures That Strengthen Spokane Communities
Entrepreneurship is more than starting a business. It is about creating opportunities, preserving culture, strengthening communities, and creating lasting impact.
This year, two alumni of Gonzaga University's MBA in American Indian Entrepreneurship (MBA-AIE) program are demonstrating how business can serve a broader purpose. Through ventures rooted in education, culture, wellness, and economic development, both are creating meaningful impact throughout the Spokane region and beyond.
For Brigman, the inspiration behind Homelands Fitness came from a belief that land acknowledgements should be a starting point rather than an endpoint.
"Often times people treat a basic land acknowledgement as the finish line," Brigman said. "They want a footnote at the bottom of an email or presentation, or a brief line in an opening speech for a presentation and that is the finish line for them. In actuality, that is merely a starting line."
Through Homelands Fitness, Brigman hopes to encourage people to learn more about local tribes, local history, and Indigenous perspectives in a way that is accessible and engaging.
"People should want to learn more about the local tribes, local history, allow a seat at the table and see how this knowledge can impact the real world today," he said. "Homelands Fitness is an attempt to be the solution to the program and provide the vehicle to provide the knowledge in a way that is accessible and removes barriers to hopefully induce insightful conversation and learning."
Brigman credits the MBA-AIE program not only with providing business knowledge and networking opportunities, but also with giving him the confidence to pursue new opportunities.
"There is obviously the piece of paper you receive upon graduation, the knowledge, networking, etc. from completing a program like this and all of that is truly valuable; however, I honestly believe it was the intangible benefits," Brigman said.
After graduating, Brigman advanced his professional career and now serves as Finance Director for the Spokane Tribe Housing Authority. The experience also gave him the confidence to pursue entrepreneurship through Homelands Fitness.
"I left the program with the confidence in myself to advance my career in my day job as now the Finance Director for my Tribe's Housing Authority," he said. "I had the confidence to take the leap and forging a pathway to create Homelands Fitness; that was the true influence of the MBA-AIE program."
Another alumnus creating impact through entrepreneurship is Jeff Ferguson (MBA-AIE '20), founder of Battlegrounds Native Arts Market in Airway Heights.
The market serves as a permanent retail space for Indigenous artists and makers, providing year-round opportunities to showcase and sell their work. Today, more than 30 artists are featured in the space.
In addition to supporting Native artists, Battlegrounds has become a gathering place for cultural learning and community engagement. The organization hosts beading, weaving, and sewing classes and includes dedicated space highlighting artwork created by Native men who are currently incarcerated.
The market has already hosted two Native authors for book readings and plans to continue hosting author events on a monthly basis. Future programming may also include poetry readings and open mic nights.
As the business continues to grow, Ferguson is expanding its offerings. Battlegrounds recently raised $7,000 to purchase an espresso machine and coffee grinder, helping create an even more welcoming environment for visitors and community events.
The organization is also launching a YouTube series, Building Battlegrounds, which will document the development of the business over the next two and a half years. Through Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, Battlegrounds regularly shares new inventory and highlights the work of Indigenous artists. Plans are also underway to expand online sales through a dedicated e-commerce website, making artwork available to customers across the country.
Looking ahead, Battlegrounds plans to move its Sunday yoga classes into the market space and offer breathwork sessions to support health and wellness initiatives within the community.
Together, Brigman and Ferguson demonstrate the many ways MBA-AIE alumni are creating impact after graduation. From technology and education to arts, culture, wellness, and economic development, their ventures are helping strengthen communities while elevating Indigenous voices and perspectives.
Their work also reflects the broader mission of Gonzaga's MBA-AIE program: empowering Indigenous leaders to create opportunities, preserve culture, and build stronger communities through entrepreneurship.
As these alumni continue to grow their ventures, they serve as examples of how entrepreneurship can create benefits that extend far beyond business success, fostering connection, understanding, and opportunity throughout the region.
Learn More