Business Advocate

An Advocate for Seattle Businesses

In 2003, the Mayor established and launched the Mayor’s Business Advocate service to assist small businesses. The Advocate acts as a voice for small and medium-sized businesses that need help with City policies and regulations.

In her three years of service, Advocate Kris Effertz has assisted over 500 businesses. Among her accomplishments were the facilitation of the brownfields clean-up of the Despi’s Delite Bakery site on Beacon Hill, and the re-establishment of Charlie’s Produce, for which she was honored by the Manufacturing and Industrial Council (MIC) for her outstanding work.

Kris Effertz, the City of Seattle’s Business Advocate, can be reached at 206-684-BIZZ (206-684-2499) or by email at kris.effertz@seattle.gov. Kris works with businesses on a case-by-case basis to troubleshoot concerns and resolve problems. She is available as your first point of contact to understand and navigate City processes, regulations and policies—and gain access to needed resources.

Ten Steps to Starting a Business in Seattle - Acrobat PDF 45 kb

Call 206-684-BIZZ

At the Office of Economic Development, our goal is to help you get your business done.