Running a small business in Philadelphia isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes resilience, creativity, and a deep commitment to both your vision and your community. But being a business owner shouldn’t mean navigating the city’s economy and policies alone. Your experiences—the challenges you face, the opportunities you seize—should inform the decisions that shape our business environment. That’s why the Diverse Chambers Coalition of Philadelphia (DCCPHL) is launching the Spring 2025 Survey of Small Business Owners—and we need your voice.
This survey is more than just data collection; it’s a direct line to decision-makers. It helps paint a real-time picture of what it’s like to do business in Philly—whether that’s securing capital, hiring employees, dealing with regulations, or accessing city resources. The more entrepreneurs who participate, the stronger our case when advocating for policies that truly support small businesses.
Your input drives change
Your feedback has led to real policy changes in Philadelphia. When small business owners spoke up about how the city’s tax policies were hindering growth, it led to the reactivation of the Tax Reform Commission, which is now evaluating how Philadelphia’s tax structure impacts businesses like yours. This could result in meaningful reforms that make it easier for entrepreneurs to thrive.
Similarly, concerns about the complexity of starting and growing a business in the city helped spur the Parker Administration’s PHL Open for Business initiative—an effort to simplify licensing, permitting, and other bureaucratic processes that have long been obstacles for local entrepreneurs. Your input has also influenced funding programs, technical assistance initiatives, and strategies to support diverse and immigrant-owned businesses.
These changes didn’t happen by chance—they happened because business owners like you shared their realities. Policymakers are listening, and they are looking to this survey to understand what’s working and what isn’t. If we don’t speak up, decisions will be made without us.
What’s at stake?
Philadelphia’s small business ecosystem is at a turning point. The city is working to recover from the economic disruptions of recent years while positioning itself as a hub for diverse and innovative entrepreneurs. But key challenges remain:
- Access to capital: Are small business loan programs meeting your needs?
- Regulatory barriers: Is it too difficult to obtain the permits and approvals needed to operate?
- Commercial space affordability: Are rising rents and property costs making it harder to sustain or expand your business?
- Workforce development: Are you able to find and retain qualified employees?
These are just a few of the issues that city leaders need to understand from those experiencing them firsthand. By completing the survey, you ensure that your concerns are on the table when decisions about small business policy and investment are made.
How to participate
Taking part is easy. Simply visit the DCCPHL website (diversechambersphl.org) to complete the survey. It won’t take more than a few minutes—but its impact could last for years.
Philadelphia’s entrepreneurs are the backbone of our local economy. Let’s make sure your voice is heard. Take the survey today.
Jennifer Rodríguez, MCP, is the President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
