If you run a small business in Seattle, the Office of Economic Development wants to hear from you. Kind of.
Thanks to a weekly newsletter from the office of West Seattle’s City Council rep Lisa Herbold, we just heard about this OED small business survey that will help the department “prioritize their programs and services, as well as to inform pilot projects, such as the Legacy Business Program.” It closes Sunday, July 14th so use your “small business Saturday” to add your voice.
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Questions range from basics like number of employees and industry to how OED can best help you grow in Seattle. A few of the categories are a little limited in their choices — that’s what the “other” button is for.
As for the short notice, it sounds like we weren’t the only ones caught off guard by the effort. Herbold’s office says it also just found out about the survey this week.
Thousands of small businesses are registered with the city across the neighborhoods around Capitol Hill including many one-person and small, micro ventures. Earlier this year, CHS reported on the top new businesses created in District 3 — in 2017, professional rideshare drivers once again topped the list. Meanwhile, Mayor Jenny Durkan formed a new small business advisory council with a heavy Capitol Hill presence.
The survey questions demonstrate exactly why I moved my company from Seattle this week.
Yeah right. Because they listened to businesses so well during the “Tax Amazon” vendetta. Most business owners have probably figured out the Clowncil will only listen to them if what the businesses say matches what they wanted to do anyway.
CHS, please reach out and interview Michael Wells, former small business owner on Capitol Hill (and listed as the contact on the survey) about what he thinks has changed in 10 years, what is in store for the future, and what the OED would like to do to support a diverse, small business climate.
Be specific in the questions and ask for specific answers.
What does he think? What is his outlook? What can be done?
Also it will be important to interview members the Small Business Advisory Council set up several months ago. What do Donna Moodie and Tracy Taylor think?