Sheley Seacrest…
“No, I don’t believe that Seattle offers a opportunity for black businesses to prosper. We see it by looking at our businesses owners compared to all other races. You can look at geographically how we’re pacing with the growth of Seattle. Everyones talking how well Seattle’s doing, but the numbers don’t reflect that for our businesses. And so we need resources to make sure that we are able to grow, making sure that money is funneled to our community like others, its not happening right. I think the Seattle City Coucil needs “show us the money”.
Jacquis Nelson…
“My answer to that question is absolutely. Any time you have a flourishing area like Seattle that is continuously growing, real estate market is great out here and thriving jobs are plentiful, if you want one, absolutely. It’s a great idea for any business, let alone Black businesses, to set up shop out here.”
Cynthia Brooks-Hassen…
“Presently, no! The only Black businesses prospering in Seattle are in the hair industry and a few “ethnic” restaurants. Although it seems affluence is all around us, new high rise apartments and businesses, we don’t own it. Seattle is ranked #78 out of 109 metropolitan places for Black owed business in theU.S. In my opinion, several factors impact owning business in Seattle. Gentrification, high cost for building space and high interest loans to name of few.”
Uvania Ayala…
“I think it can be. Seattle is very diverse and full of opportunities. If someone has the desire, discipline and passion to run their business, I have no doubt that it would prosper.”
Leonard Charles…
“In my opinion I feel like we been putting separation on ourselves for so many years, we look at ourselves as individuals and it takes all of us to make a community. So it doesn’t matter the color of your skin, its a matter of how you present what your trying to do for the people. Any business or anything that you do its about presentation, so if you present as a black business, then you set yourself up for failure.It should be a business for the community, to build up the community, not just the individual.”
Kayla North…
“I think that right now in society businesses are oriented online and people are not valuing face to face interactions that make business personable and successful.”
