Journal of Business

What Journal of Business does

Journal of Business is an independent regional business newspaper serving the Inland Northwest market (greater Spokane, Washington and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho), publishing bi-weekly (26 issues per year) since February 1986 with audited circulation of approximately 7,000 copies and pass-along readership of more than 30,000. The company's core product is a bi-weekly print edition complemented by a full digital ecosystem: a website with daily news and archives, an E-Edition delivered via app and website (powered by Tecnavia), five weekly sector-specific e-newsletters (Real Estate & Construction, Banking & Finance, Health Care, Technology, Manufacturing, Retail, Government, Education, North Idaho), and the "Elevating the Conversation" podcast distributed on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Spotify. Specialty reference publications include the annual Book of Lists, Market Fact Book, Building the Inland Northwest, and an Economic Forecast supplement produced in partnership with Greater Spokane Incorporated.

The revenue model is diversified across four streams: (1) recurring subscriptions priced at $39.95-$59.95 annually (one-year) or $79.95-$119.95 (three-year), (2) print and digital advertising sold to local businesses targeting the affluent business-decision-maker demographic, (3) one-time sales of specialty publications (Book of Lists at $24.95 print / $95 digital package, Market Fact Book at $6.95 print / $5 digital, Building the Inland Northwest at $5 digital), and (4) event sponsorships and ticket sales across roughly seven annual events including the Workforce Summit, Icons Awards, Women in Leadership, Rising Stars, Best Places to Work, People of Influence, and Business of the Year Awards. Marketing and distribution leverage the company's own media properties (email newsletters, podcasts, social, website) and a portfolio of partner publications (GSI Connect, Downtown Spokane Partnership, Greater Spokane Valley Chamber, Spokane Sports, EWI Magazine) for which the Journal provides production and advertising sales services.

The publishing operation is delivered by an 11-50-employee organization with a six-person news team and is owned by a subsidiary of Cowles Co., a diversified Spokane-based media company. In early 2026 the company launched Inland Northwest Senior, a new monthly publication distributed free at retirement communities, via Meals on Wheels, and through paid subscriptions, extending the product line beyond core business journalism to a senior demographic. The Journal has earned hundreds of industry awards including recognition as Best Newspaper of its size in North America by the Association of Business Publications and first place for General Excellence among non-daily newspapers from the Society of Professional Journalists.

Name

Journal of Business

Legal name

Journal of Business

Website

https://spokanejournal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Journal of Business is a bi-weekly regional business newspaper and multi-platform media company serving business decision-makers in Spokane, Washington and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. It monetizes audiences across print, digital, e-edition, podcast, special publications, and roughly seven annual events via subscriptions, advertising, and event sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Business News Media

NAICS

Newspaper Publishers (513110), Periodical Publishers (51312), Directory and Mailing List Publishers (51314)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2711)

akta.pro primary industry

Business, Financial & Trade News Publishers (MPAJADAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Local & Regional Newspapers (Print & Digital) (MPAJADAB)

Keywords

• Business news coverage
• Regional business newspaper
• Trade publication subscriptions
• Business awards events
• Local business journalism

Headquarters

HQ city

Spokane

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Print and Online Subscriptions: The company generates primary revenue through print and online subscription products. One-year print and online subscriptions are priced at $59.95, with three-year options at $119.95. Online-only subscriptions are available at $39.95 annually or $79.95 for three years.
2. Advertising: The company monetizes its audience of business decision-makers through advertising placements across print, digital, and special publications.
3. Special Publications Sales: Revenue generated from standalone sales of special publications including the Book of Lists ($24.95 print, $95 digital package), Market Fact Book ($6.95 print, $5 digital), and Building the Inland Northwest ($5 digital).
4. Event Sponsorships and Tickets: Revenue from annual award events including Best Places to Work, Workforce Summit, Icons, Women in Leadership, Rising Stars, and Business of the Year Awards through ticket sales and sponsorship packages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Journal of Business publishes a bi-weekly print business newspaper (26 issues per year) plus a continuously updated website, E-Edition digital magazine, daily and sector-specific email newsletters, monthly podcast, annual special publications (Book of Lists, Market Fact Book, Building the Inland Northwest, Economic Forecast, Best Places to Work), and a portfolio of annual business awards and networking events serving the Inland Northwest market. It sells subscriptions and advertising to reach an affluent audience of business owners, managers, and decision-makers in Spokane, WA and Coeur d'Alene, ID.

Product overview

Journal of Business is an independent business newspaper offering a multi-platform content portfolio. The core offerings include a bi-weekly print publication (26 issues/year with ~7,000 circulation and 30,000+ readers), a comprehensive website with daily news emails and five weekly sector-specific e-newsletters, and an E-Edition digital magazine. The publication produces special supplements including the annual Book of Lists, Market Fact Book, Building the Inland Northwest, Economic Forecast, and Best Places to Work publication. The company hosts numerous annual events including the Icons Awards, Women in Leadership, Workforce Summit, Business of the Year Awards, People of Influence, and Rising Stars recognition. A podcast called 'Elevating the Conversation' features monthly discussions with business experts. In 2026, a new publication called Inland Northwest Senior was launched targeting the senior demographic. Partner Publications include collaborations with regional economic development organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Journal of Business Print Newspaper Bi-weekly print business newspaper covering business news in the Inland Northwest (Spokane, WA and Coeur d'Alene, ID), published 26 times per year with audited circulation of approximately 7,000 copies and over 30,000 readers. Targeted at business owners, managers, and decision-makers in Spokane and Kootenai counties.
• Journal of Business Website and Digital Content

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 30,000 readers with audited circulation of approximately 7,000
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership where the Journal of Business partners with Greater Spokane Incorporated to host the Economic Forecast event each November. Journal publishes a special supplement featuring forecast articles by prominent Spokane economists. This is the region's premier economic outlook event.
• GSI Connect MagazineminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership to produce and distribute the GSI Connect Magazine, a publication envisioned and developed by Greater Spokane Incorporated. Journal provides advertising sales, production, and distribution.
• Downtown Spokane PartnershipminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership to produce the Downtown Spokane Partnership annual publication. Journal provides advertising sales, production, and distribution services.
• Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of CommerceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership to produce the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce annual publication. Journal provides advertising sales, production, and distribution services.
• Spokane SportsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership to produce the Spokane Sports Magazine. Journal provides advertising sales, production, and distribution services for this partnership publication.
• EWI (Economic Development Alliance of Idaho)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership to produce the EWI Magazine. Journal provides advertising sales, production, and distribution services for this regional economic development publication.
• Eastern Washington UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the annual Workforce Summit event. EWU President Dr. Shari McMahan participates as a speaker. EWU logo appears as a sponsor on Workforce Summit materials.
• Spokane CollegescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in the annual Workforce Summit event. Spokane Colleges Chancellor Dr. Kevin Brockbank participates as a speaker. Spokane Colleges logo appears as a sponsor.
• Spokane International AirportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubject of ongoing news coverage including reporting on the TREX (Terminal Renovation and Expansion) program, a major infrastructure project at Spokane International Airport.
• Tri-Cities Area Journal of BusinessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister publication covering the Tri-Cities market. Journal Publisher Paul Read also serves as publisher of this related business newspaper. Cross-promotional subscription offers available.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• The Inlander: Alternative weekly covering Spokane and the Inland Northwest with news, arts, and culture content. Shares the Inland Northwest geographic market with Journal of Business and competes for the same regional advertising dollars, though with a different content focus.
• Business Journal of the Tri-Cities (legacy): Other regional business news operators in Pacific Northwest secondary metros adjacent to the Inland Northwest. Demonstrates the regional business journal model Journal of Business operates in is replicated across multiple mid-size U.S. markets.
• Spokane Spokesman-Review: General-interest daily newspaper serving the Spokane market, also owned by Cowles Co. Geographic overlap and shared corporate parent, but covers general news and sports rather than the niche business focus of the Journal.

Broad incumbents

• Inc. Magazine: National business media brand serving entrepreneurs and business owners with editorial content, events, and awards. Competes for the same business decision-maker audience as Journal of Business but at national scale without regional depth.
• American City Business Journals: Parent organization of 40+ regional business journals including Puget Sound, Portland, and Boise titles. Operates at a national scale with a portfolio approach to the same regional business media model Journal of Business has built in Spokane.

Direct peers

• Puget Sound Business Journal: Regional business journal serving the Seattle/Puget Sound market under American City Business Journals, with print, digital, events, and Book of Lists products—the same multi-product business media model as Journal of Business, just at larger scale.
• Boise Business Journal: American City Business Journals title covering the Boise market with the standard ACJ playbook of print, digital, events, and Book of Lists. Closely comparable Pacific Northwest/Northern Rockies regional business journal.
• Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business: Sister publication also owned by Cowles Co. and led by Publisher Paul Read, covering the Tri-Cities, WA market with the same bi-weekly business newspaper model. Most directly comparable peer in format, ownership, and operational playbook.
• Portland Business Journal: Another American City Business Journals title covering the Portland metro business community with print, digital, events, and Book of Lists products. Direct format comparable—regional business news plus monetization across subscriptions, advertising, and events.

Emerging players

• BoiseDev: Digital-first business news outlet covering the Boise, Idaho market. Comparable in regional business journalism mission but contrasts as a digital-native model without the print edition or event portfolio that defines Journal of Business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6RMQVX5tC5k

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Journal of Business