Questionnaire for Entrepreneurs

Our region has a compelling vision for Community Economic Development (CED). *

Our region has set clear indicators to measure whether we are reaching our CED goals. *

Our region has a clear sense of its assets (capital, skills, businesses, buildings, networks, history, etc.) and our CED goals are firmly rooted in those assets. *

Our region has done serious CED planning that includes proposals to plug economic leaks, promote tourism, create great places, and expand local businesses. *

Our region has strong organizations that bring local businesses together and facilitate meaningful CED partnerships and collaborations. *

Our region is a place where businesses often work together to improve their competitiveness. *

Our region understands the value of “buying locally.” *

Our region makes it easy for an entrepreneur to start a business. *

Our region makes it easy for an entrepreneur to find capital for his or her business. *

Our politicians and policymakers understand and value the importance of local business, and have shaped CED priorities and programs accordingly. *

Our CED programs well reflect all the views in our community. *

Our CED programs include the participation of the poor, women, the young, racial minorities, recent immigrants, and Tribes. *

Our CED programs have set the right priorities. *

There is a simple “go to” place for entrepreneurs to find information, resources, and support. *

Entrepreneurs in our region effectively connect with each other through formal or informal networks. *

Our region is entrepreneurially minded. Many residents have embrace the idea of starting and running a business. *

Partnership and collaboration are common in our region. We work well together and get things done. *

If you want to clarify or add detail to any of your responses, please add them here:

Is Accessing Capital a challenge? *

Is Finding Skilled Workers a challenge? *

Is Retaining Workers a challenge? *

Is Preparing a Business Plan a challenge? *

Is Strategic Planning a challenge? *

Is Market Analysis a challenge? *

Is Marketing/Advertising a challenge? *

Is Increasing Sales a challenge? *

Is Employing Better Technology a challenge? *

Is Accounting a challenge? *

Are Legal Issues a challenge? *

Are Personnel Policies a challenge? *

Is Shipping Goods a challenge? *

Is High Speed Internet a challenge? *

Is Affordable Space a challenge? *

Is Regulation – new minimum wage a challenge? *

Is Regulation – mandatory sick leave a challenge? *

Is The Vibrancy and Livability of Our Town a challenge? *

Is Infrastructure a challenge? (please describe)

• Not a serious challenge.
• A little bit of a challenge.
• A moderately serious challenge.
• A huge challenge.
• I don’t know. *

Are Licenses and Permits a challenge? (please describe)

• Not a serious challenge.
• A little bit of a challenge.
• A moderately serious challenge.
• A huge challenge.
• I don’t know. *

Please use this space to describe any other challenges not mentioned above, or to clarify
any of your responses:

Please indicate if there is one challenge in particular above that requires urgent attention:

Entrepreneurship Courses *

Mentorship (peer support) *

Coaching (paid support) *

Technology Training *

Entrepreneurship Competitions *

Co-Working Spaces *

Concept Testing Space (e.g., a community kitchen) *

Incubator or Accelerator *

Maker Space (e.g., where tools can be rented for wood working or 3D printing) *

Federal Agencies with Entrepreneurship Programs (such as the USDA) *

State Agencies with Entrepreneurship Programs *

Local Economic Development Department/Division *

University or Community College *

Small Business Development Center *

Business Networks *

Networking Events (e.g., pub talks) *

Other Entrepreneurship Resource (please describe)

If you want to clarify or add detail to any of your responses, please add them here:

Would you like to raise more capital from private sources to expand your business? *

IF YES:
How much capital do you need next year?

Ideally, in what form would you like the capital?

How confident are you that you will be able to obtain this capital from existing sources?

Grants *

Family and Friends *

Credit Cards *

Retained Earnings and Bootstrapping *

Home Mortgage Loan *

Bank or Credit Union Loan *

Microfinance Loan *

Internet Loan (e.g., KivaZip or Prosper) *

Crowdfunding *

Angel Investor(s) *

Venture Capital Fund *

Social Impact Investors *

Foundation Investment (in the form of program-related or mission-related
investments) *

Investment from Other Companies *

Other (please specify)

Company Name:

City:

Please provide a short description or your company’s business activities:

What is the legal form of the entity overseeing your work?

Which of the following best describes the age/stage your business:

How old is your business?

Which of the following best describes the annual sales of your business?

Which, if any, of the following certifications does your business hold? Check all that apply: