The San Francisco Small Business Network (SBN) serves as a strong, clear, and unified voice of the small business community in San Francisco.

Our mission is to strengthen and unify the voice of the Small Business Community in San Francisco. With a growing membership of 20 business organizations, we represent more than 19,000 small businesses in San Francisco currently.

President's Message | Board Members  |  SFSBN History

President's Message
Dear Colleagues

When we go shopping, we typically choose to do business where we perceive the best value for our time and money.  But in that decision have you considered the value of locally-owned small businesses? Let’s talk numbers:

• In San Francisco more than half of all employees (54%) work at a small business   That means small businesses employ more than 355,000 people.*

• Local small businesses put nearly 2 ½ times the amount of money back into the local economy when compared to national chains.*

• If small businesses income increased 10% in San Francisco, that would mean the addition of $200 million in economic activity and create 1,300 new jobs.**

Now consider the real cost of losing locally-owned small businesses – local values.  In a city known or chastised for its “values,” it’s the local business owners that support local charities, sit on local boards, elect local officials and even challenge City Hall.

And when you think of your favorite restaurant, café or shop – is it a national chain?  Not likely!  It’s the local merchant who went the extra mile.  It is the restaurant whose food and service is off the chart.  It’s the “only in San Francisco” element that makes them so special. 

At the SBN, we understand the value of small businesses.  And, we understand the challenges of doing business in San Francisco.  We ask a lot of businesses in San Francisco, such as a higher living wage, mandatory sick leave and the list goes on.   At the SBN, we continue to support small business, so that they can continue to employ San Franciscans and support the standards we have demanded of them.

We actively support legislation favorable to small business and to make government more efficient. We work with the Small Business Commission and our member organizations to reduce the cost of doing business in San Francisco.  We work closely with the Mayor, members of the Board of Supervisors, and department heads to achieve our goals as well as to assist them in realizing their dreams for our beautiful city.

As your president, I pledge to support and uphold the mission of the SF SBN and to be responsive to our members’ collective will. I pledge to support and participate in a collective effort by a coalition of organizations to make this City a better place to live and do business.

I am proud to call San Francisco my home and I appreciate the opportunity to serve as your President.  We have a great staff in our office this year with our Executive Director, Pat Christensen, as well as a dedicated group of Delegates from our member organizations.  I encourage you to get to know these folks, as they can be invaluable to helping you grow your businesses. Sincerely yours,

To contact us, please send a message through our Contact form.

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