Kansas City Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Have Spoken, Here are Your Pain Points

As the coronavirus pandemic causes shutdowns, disruptions and alters daily life, Kansas City entrepreneurs, who are massive job creators for the region, need assistance and are looking for guidance.

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To better serve these small businesses and startups, which create nearly 2 in 3 new jobs in Kansas City, we created an online resource page with the most current assistance for small businesses and entrepreneurs trying to weather the crisis. Resources include important information about how business owners can create an emergency plan, access disaster loans and other funding, request financial assistance, manage remote teams and more. Make sure to bookmark that one and check back often. We’re updating it regularly.. 

But we also need to hear from you, so that we can best activate the resources and funding you need. So we took it a step further launched a survey to take the pulse of Kansas City’s business owners. Early results tell a tale of worry and concern.

  • 70% need financial assistance

  • 53% seek tax relief

  • 63% are worried about revenue dropping

  • 18% are concerned they may have to close

Some of the comments from the survey:

  • The pressure to adapt quickly is immense.

  • Our cash flow depends on clients coming in every day, there is no reserve.

  • We have had to close up shop and file for unemployment.

  • We adjusted our food service offering to delivery/pick-up/to-go only and this week had to close up completely.

  • We won’t be in business without capital help.

  • We will have to find online work to support ourselves and our business, leaving us unable to gear this back up when the virus has run its course.

  • Once things settle down, my clients will likely be busy recovering and they may have to adjust their budgets which may cut my work.

The responses here will help Kansas City’s entrepreneur community unite under one voice to work with key decision-makers, officials and policy makers in the region to support small businesses under these challenging circumstances. The survey is still live here and business owners are encouraged to take it. We will continue to update the results.

KCSourceLink has also tapped into our network of 240+ Resource Partners to find out how they are continuing to serve the small business market during the crisis. The Resource Navigator®  has been updated to feature those resources that are tailoring their offerings to meet immediate needs. This searchable listing is featured on the KCSourceLink coronavirus business resource page.

Many people are asking how they can support small businesses owners. Here are a few ideas:

  • Buy curbside lunch/dinner from local restaurants, breweries, wineries and distilleries

  • Shop Local – buy gift cards, order online

  • (Digitally) connect entrepreneurs to potential leads and clients

Information changes rapidly so the KCSourceLink coronavirus resource page is updated regularly. Feel free to call the KCSourceLink hotline, 816-235-6500 for information about business resources. 

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