Starting a Business in Seattle

When it comes to new business development, entrepreneurship is alive and well in Seattle with new businesses starting-up every day. As businesses start-up, their owners face challenges that include: navigating the city permitting process, securing financing, deciding how and where to expand, and addressing issues related to attracting and retaining quality employees. OED helps potential business owners' access local resources to get their businesses off the ground.

• Frequently Asked Questions: Doing Business in Seattle

Guides to Starting a Business

The Office of Economic Development has created a comprehensive, ten-step guide to starting your own business in Seattle. The guide covers topics like obtaining a business license, financing your business, navigating the permit process, and more.

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

The Washington State Department for Community, Trade and Economic Development's new guide for small business provides business owners and entrepreneurs with instantly accessible information on federal, state, and local agencies, business associations, economic development centers, government contracts, and Innovation Partnership Zones. View the guide on CTED's Tools and Resources page.

• CTED's 2009 Guide for Small Business

The Small Business Administration's Washington office releases an annual Small Business Resource Guide. The guide includes step-by-step information on accessing SBA programs and services, business licensing, state and local government regulations, technical assistance, loan options, and selecting a business plan and legal structure.

• SBA Small Business Resource Guide

Business Advocate

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 six years of service, Advocate Kris Effertz has assisted over 930 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.