Ready to Take Your Small Business from Surviving to Thriving?

Small businesses are what make our neighborhoods feel welcoming and full of character. Our local shops, cafés, and services bring people together and help create that “home” feeling in our communities, adding a vibrant dynamic to the area.

When small businesses thrive, the whole community benefits.

But how can you take your small business from surviving to thriving? 

The Power of Small Businesses in Snohomish

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, small businesses are a huge driver in Washington, accounting for 99.5% of all businesses in the state, employing almost half of our workforce.

Supporting them is essential for our economic vitality. A report found that for every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, a whopping $73 remains in that community.

Compare that to the $43 that remains when purchasing from a corporate chain. When multiplied over and over, that $33 difference has a huge impact, especially in rural areas like ours.

When we support local businesses, we keep money circulating close to home. It’s been noted that independent locally-owned businesses recirculate 48% of their revenue locally compared to 13% by corporate chains.

But small businesses need our support, too. Here’s how we do it. 

How Does EASC Support Small Businesses?

Connecting with Economic Alliance of Snohomish County (EASC) opens up a whole network of advisors, resources, and partners who want to see local businesses succeed.

We offer entrepreneurs a variety of resources to help grow, scale and navigate the complexities of the marketplace, including:

• Navigating Programs & Permits: Permits, grants, and regulations can be confusing…EASC helps point business owners to the right people and resources.
• Marketing & Visibility: EASC helps plug businesses into events, tourism efforts, and community promotions that drive foot traffic.
• Expansion & Site Search: For businesses thinking about a second location or more space, EASC can help explore options and connect with cities or property owners.
• Advocacy & Problem-Solving: Issues like safety, vandalism, utility concerns, or street conditions get elevated through EASC’s partnerships with cities and the county.
• Financing Connections: EASC connects business owners with SBA lenders, CDFIs, and local banks that understand small business needs.
• Resilience & Preparedness: Support with business continuity and recovery resources to help businesses stay ready for unexpected disruptions.

Does EASC Partner With Other Organizations?

Yes! We collaborate with a variety of local, regional and state organizations to offer even more support for our small business owners. These partnerships include:

Washington Small Business Development Center 

• Did you know you can take advantage of the WSBDC’s free, confidential help that covers your planning, marketing, and financial questions?
• EASC can connect business owners directly to local WSBDC advisors to make things easy and streamlined.

Snohomish Chamber of Commerce

• Joining the SCC presents a fantastic opportunity to meet other business owners, join shop-local efforts, and stay connected.
• EASC works closely with all of our area Chambers through advocacy, events, and networking to ensure that your support is well coordinated.

For the full list of our industry partners and business support programs, click here!

Joining your local Chamber of Commerce is another great way to stay plugged in and feel part of a supportive small business community.

When local businesses thrive, our towns and neighborhoods thrive right along with them.