Advocating for Business in Sonoma County

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As a business owner, I see that we need to do a better job taking care of our employees, but in all cases we need help.
sonomacalifornia-usa-october142017homemadesonomastrongsign

I don’t know about you, but the last 18 months have gone by fast and it wasn’t much fun. Sometimes it seemed like the movie Groundhog Day. One day after another, no change. As I observed my interactions with business, it seemed like nothing much changed for the better. With the lockdown and other limitations in place, businesses survived, but barely. And it seemed like all the free money was flowing to people who didn’t need it, or to scammers.

The people who put together all the financial packages were not listening to the right people. It could have been set up so the money flowed through employers to help employees with child care, for example. This way it would have helped those who needed it, versus those looking for free money. Also, there may have been other benefits that employers could have passed on to provide real help for those who needed it. As it was, it seemed there was a lot of money that went to the wrong people.

I ask this one basic question: Where were all the business advocates?

I personally spoke to several leaders in the community, such as the chamber president and leadership council. Their comments can be summed up to this: We’ve done all that we are allowed to—and can—do. There is nothing more we can do. There were additional comments. Some people believed that as far as communicating with government officials on the topic, they tended to get off track and include other issues not pertinent to doing what needed to be done.

So, there was no one was advocating for business, and there were no politicians there to do the right thing. If there were, the news outlets didn’t have much to report. At this point, even though businesses are still struggling with several issues such as finding qualified employees, giving tax credit for hiring bonuses, abating some employment taxes, possibly paying the rent or back rent owed. We will survive. At least those who have survived thus far. The local economy still isn’t perfect and we have supply issues, lack of employees, and the medical rulers leave us to contend with stiff limitations.

As a business owner, I see that we need to do a better job taking care of our employees, but in all cases we need help. A little tax help would be nice. Business margins are too slim to be effective and still be profitable. This is like the Gordian knot where every part you untie another issue springs up.

A business owner who must make payroll and the taxes is always concerned about his or her other expenses as well. Chances are these business owners aren’t always sleeping well at night with worries about how to make ends meet. Many businesses take a couple of generations to become successful—think of Freidman’s, Meade Clark, or La Tortilla Factory. These family-owned businesses began with parents, who started the business, survived, and the second generation built on their success. Each business is successful now due to the sacrifice of its founders. I remember Benny Friedman talking about his early days with the business. (It wasn’t easy.)

When a business shuts down, everyone loses—the owner for sure, and the employees even more since they’re left unemployed. As a community, we all lose since the product or service is no longer available, and the world gets a bit smaller and darker.

Facilitating growth

What I am looking for is for our leadership groups to come together to build a combined advocacy group for our local businesses. I’m not sure we need another organization. We need a local leader to step up and gather the ones we have into a cohesive group—someone who will look beyond the current situation, and see what can be done to facilitate great growth and ease the concerns that impact business.

For instance, what kind of input do we have to the National Infrastructure Bill? Basically none. Anyone who gets to talk with our senator may as well live in the U.K. for as much time as she spends talking with locals. Have you talked with Congressman Mike Thompson about our issues? If so, were you satisfied with his answers? Were they straight answers? Or, was it the standard patter?

It’s said that the problem is half-solved when you define the issues. There are many concerns that should be prioritized so when we’re able to meet with someone who can help, that individual knows what we care about and need. We need a brave person(s) to do the job—someone who’s not afraid to speak out.

So who will step up, especially, someone without bias, to take charge? There are about six to eight organizations in Sonoma County that could take the lead. John Wooden, former coach of the UCLA Bruins men’s basketball team once said, “It is amazing how much can be accomplished if no one cares who gets the credit.”

Let’s step up and take action

We are back to the question: Who will step up and help build community here? I intend to assist, but I am only one person. How about you?

Chuck Root is a Wealth Manager, who owns Double Eagle Financial. He is the custodian of client assets with LPL Financial, a public company. He and Sharon, his wife, take care of clients throughout their lifetimes. They are longtime residents of Santa Rosa. Chuck cares deeply about Santa Rosa and wants the community to prosper.

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