2021 HIGHLIGHTED ACHIEVEMENTS
CLIENT ENGAGEMENT SNAPSHOT
TOTAL ENGAGEMENTS
0
Client interactions and engagements through The Greenhouse’s services and events.
UNIQUE CLIENTS SERVED
0
Individual entrepreneurs serviced through consultation sessions, capacity building opportunities and staff assisted services.
TOTAL EVENTS
0
Capacity building workshops and connection related events held in 2021 by The Greenhouse.
CLIENT DEMOGRAPHICS
Location
108 Cities
20 States
3 Countries/US Territories
70.6% St. Pete-based
26.7% Located within South St. Pete CRA boundary
Gender
58.2% Female
28.7% Male
13.1% No Response
Race
45.3% White
29.4% Black
8.1% Hispanic
2.4% Asian
14.8% No Response
Other
86 Veteran Clients Served
71 Disabled Clients Served
DEMOGRAPHICS SUMMARY:
The Greenhouse is maintaining a consistent reach among targeted client locations. From 2019 through 2021, the client locations remain steady ~ 71% primarily located in St. Petersburg. Since the launch of virtual opportunities in mid-2020, engagement is expanding reach outside the St. Pete-Tampa Metro area. The Greenhouse does not limit support services to residents or businesses located within City of St. Petersburg municipal boundaries due to the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program participation in the five-county region, but also, with the intent to attract start-up/scale-ups to our community and region. In 2021, we saw a 45.9% percentage increase in diverse client geographic locations. The Greenhouse engaged with two global clients seeking interest in relocating business to Florida from Puerto Rico and Finland.
Entrepreneurs and their ventures have a huge impact on the social, political and most of all economic well-being of communities. Targeted outreach helped increase engagement with minority-owned businesses by a total of 8% or a percent increase of 25%. This also aligns with the national trend where we see black-owned businesses growing overall. The latest US Census Bureau data shows the number of black-owned businesses nationally increased by 8% total as demonstrated in the 2018 – 2019 ABS Census Data. Although BIPOC owned businesses are driving the growth of entrepreneurship around the country, they still face a multitude of challenges when trying to start and finance their businesses. That is why it is one of The Greenhouse’s priorities to ensure support and resources are accessible to all. Compared to demographics of Pinellas County, where 10.3% of the population is black (2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates), The Greenhouse served 29.4% black clients in 2021, a 25.1% percentage increase over the previous year.
The Greenhouse female entrepreneur engagement saw an overall increase by 2.6% from 2019 to 2020. When you support Women Owned businesses, you are investing in women’s economic empowerment, gender parity in commerce, vibrant communities, and the growth of the economy overall. Here’s why: Women Owned businesses represent a significant portion of economic and business growth. As of January 2017, there were an estimated 11.6 million Women Owned businesses in the U.S., employing nearly 9 million people and generating $1.7 trillion in revenues (American Express Women Owned Report, 2017). At the national level, we are seeing black women as the fastest growing entrepreneurs Black women represent 42% of new women-owned businesses—three times their share of the female population—and 36% of all Black-owned employer businesses.
PANDEMIC RECOVERY RESPONSE AND IMPACT
RESILIENCE + RETENTION FUND
OVERVIEW: In response to the drastic change in the business environment stemming from the pandemic, the City of St. Petersburg developed a new non-profit and small business incentive package in support of the sustained success of St. Pete’s health, local economy, and cultural landscape.
Through this $2,536,000 funding package, the City’s goal was to provide general economic stimulus and ongoing support to businesses overcoming the longstanding impacts of COVID-19 with an emphasis on business retention and resiliency efforts.
RESILIENCE + RETENTION FUND SUPPORT INITIATIVES:
- The Greenhouse team responded to over 683 interactions related to the Resilience + Retention Program or other pandemic recovery related assistance.
- The Greenhouse was the first local office to launch a Small Business COVID-19 Response page on March 11, 2020 to act as a central resource for small businesses to access the latest executive orders, technical assistance and access to local, state and federal emergency relief programs. Since its launch, the page received over 11,784 visits in 2021.
- How to apply for the Resilience + Retention Grant Recorded Webinar garnered over 494 views to assist applicants with how to submit their application online and improve completion rate for a swift turnaround.
- Resilience + Retention Virtual Open Hours: The Greenhouse assisted over 35 small business owners during “Virtual Open Office”, where they received immediate 1-on-1 technical assistance while applying for the grant program
CONSTITUENT ENGAGEMENTS
0
COVID-19 RESPONSE PAGE VISITS
0
SMALL BUSINESS 1-1 TECHNCIAL SUPPORT
0
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
0
APPLICATIONS PROCESSED
0
BUSINESSES FUNDED
0
DOLLARS DISBURSED
$
0
SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT ON ST. PETE COMMUNITY
Business Tax Licenses
Any business located in St. Petersburg are required to possess a Business Tax Certificate Receipt. This is an annual business tax for all businesses, professionals, independent contractors and individuals who accept compensation for merchandise or services who are located in the city limits of St. Petersburg. The information collected also allows the city to track business growth and engage with firms at the local level.
Business Tax Collected Annually
No Data Found
17,968 Business Tax Receipts paid in FY 2021, demonstrating 1,819 net new business tax license receipts reported between 2017 to 2021. This increase could be an increase in both net new businesses, and increased education on the requirement to acquire the receipt during new grant programs in St. Petersburg that started in 2020.
Businesses Taxed by Employees Job Reporting
No Data Found
79,076 total jobs reported in St. Petersburg in FY 2021, a 6.4% decline in total jobs since 2019 contributed to COVID-19 impact on local economy.
Gross employment change by firm size 2019 - 2021
Resilience of local economy by job creation and retention during pandemic
No Data Found
Where did the jobs go?
Firms with 100+ employees accounted for 81.66% of gross jobs lost.
Firms with 51-99 employees accounted for 13.8% of gross jobs lost.
KEY TAKEAWAY:
Small and scalable firms with 1 -50 employees showed most resilient in retaining jobs during unstable business environment from pandemic impacts and accounted for 100% of gross jobs gained between 2019 – 2021.
Job count by firm size
No Data Found
While firms with 100+ employees account for 30,829 of the
total jobs reported in the city, this group of firms account for 38% of jobs, compared to 61% of firms with less than 100 employees and that group reported 48,010 total jobs in 2021.
Small businesses with 50 or less employees provide 53.5% of the total jobs in St. Petersburg.
Percentage of Firms by employment size
Firms with < 100 employees
0
%
Firms with > 100 employees
0
%
CAPACITY BUILDING
The Greenhouse provides a variety of technical assistance and capacity building services, helping entrepreneurs access the tools, skills, knowledge and resources necessary to start or expand a business. Starting March 23, 2020, The Greenhouse immediately pivoted to provide services remotely and continued to expand online accessibility for programming in 2021.
Partner Business Consulting/Mentoring (SBDC and SCORE)
The Greenhouse partners with SBDC and Pinellas Count Score to offer 1-on-1 expert business assistance by appointment at no cost for entrepreneurs at all stage of business. Use this resource to discuss plans for business startup, expansion or to establish an ongoing relationship through personal and confidential sessions.
TOTAL UNIQUE CLIENTS
0
TOTAL SESSIONS
0
TOTAL CONTACT HOURS
0
Workshops and Training
Entrepreneurship training provides individuals with the aptitude to identify business opportunities, confidence building, knowledge and skills to act on them. It includes instruction in chance identification, commercializing a concept, managing resources, and initiating business speculation.
TOTAL EVENTS
0
TOTAL ATTENDANCES
0
NEW TITLES ADDED
0
The Greenhouse continued to respond during the pandemic recovery by shifting operational needs and provided small business capacity building services in a virtual accessible setting. Services were constantly re-evaluated and expanded during this time. The following new offerings were added in response to immediate business needs during pandemic recovery:
- OnDemand Library of recorded webinars – 42 RECORDINGS
- New Programs launched in 2021
- Followup Fridays
- Facebook Marketing Series – 8 titles held
- Branding House – 4 titles held
- What’s a Good Idea for a Business
- Do the Hustle: Capitalizing on Side Hustle and Gig Work
- “Real Talk” about Financing a Business Startup
- Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps
- Make Your Website Work for You
- 360° Marketing: Marketing from Your Customer’s Point of View
- Missing Pieces to a Marketing Plan
- Best Marketing Strategies
NAVIGATION
The Greenhouse’s professional staff, also known as Navigators, are trained to deliver business assistance in a personalized manner. This concierge approach centers around relationship building, process navigation, and results-based solutions.
Greenhouse staff liaison services
TOTAL UNIQUE CLIENTS SERVED
0
TOTAL SESSIONS
0
TOTAL CONTACT HOURS
0
Top Areas of Assistance
Business Startup/Requisition
52%
Sources of Capital
13%
Marketing and Sales
12.6%
Community Development
11.3%
Business Expansion
11%
Special Projects with Outreach Provided
- SunRunner Transit Corridor Impact
- Construction Action Plans
- South St. Petersburg CRA Commercial Matching Grants
- MLK Business District
- Central Avenue Council
- 16th Street Business District
COORDINATION
Lack of coordination allows viable funding opportunities to leak through the cracks. The Greenhouse advocates for and administers local business initiatives and grant programs that are needed to help support local startups and existing small business.
EVENTS HELD
0
ENTREPRENEUR PARTICIPANTS
0
TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED
$
0
JOBS CREATED AND RETAINED
0
AVERAGE WAGE
$
0
TOTAL INCENTIVE AWARDED
$
0
TOTAL CERTIFIED COUNT
0
TOTAL PROJECTS AMOUNT AWARDED
$
0
SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPANTS
0
TOTAL FUNDS AWARDED
$
0
SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPANTS
0
ACCOUNTABILITY SESSIONS
0
The Greenhouse-Eckerd Experience in Entrepreneurship is a collaboration of The Greenhouse and Eckerd College to support and sustain small businesses while also providing students with real-world small business experience.
PROJECT VOLUNTEERS PLACED
0
BUSINESSES PROJECTS COMPLETED
0
Experience Case Study Highlights
TET SALON
PROGRAM GOAL: To grow client base and increase revenue via digital marketing tactics
PROJECT VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENT: Reviewed and documented existing digital media for TET salon including website, Facebook and Search.
9 SESSIONS WITH CERTIFIED MENTOR ONGOING SUPPORT PROVIDED.
GREEN BOOK OF TAMPA BAY
PROGRAM GOAL: To assist the Green Book of Tampa Bay in creating a vendor list
PROJECT VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENT: Created the form for business owners considering joining the vendor list Contacting the businesses and asking them to complete an application to be included in the vendor list.
3 SESSIONS WITH CERTIFIED MENTOR ONGOING SUPPORT PROVIDED.
AWARENESS
Locally owned businesses are the fabric of St. Pete and create local character and prosperity. We promote our small business community through storytelling and advocacy of St. Pete and its entrepreneurs.
The Greenhouse News
ARTICLES PUBLISHED
0
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS
0
St. Pete Small Business Map
BUSINESSES LISTED
0
Small Business Week
HOSTED EVENTS
0
BUSINESSES PARTCIPATED
0
#BurgBiz
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS
0
CONNECTION
Connections are essential when launching and growing your business. Community building programs and events offered through The Greenhouse -and its partners- link St. Pete’s entrepreneurs to the local ecosystem.
1 Million Cups
HOSTED EVENTS
0
TOTAL ATTENDEES
0
Nonprofit Connect
HOSTED EVENTS
0
TOTAL ATTENDEES
0
Successful Women Advisory Group (S.W.A.G)
In 2019 The Greenhouse launched our inaugural #StPeteSupportsHer event. In 2020, St. Petersburg was recognized as number 4 out of 15 for best places for women entrepreneurs. However, 2020 was also the year businesses faced the unknown as it related to the pandemic, job security and work and home life balance. We have experienced unprecedented events in unprecedented times and yet, your resiliency shines through. Now is the time to reimagine how we can work together to reignite #stpetesupportsher and to move closer to the #1 spot for women entrepreneurs.
Our Successful Women Advisory Group (S.W.A.G) is a cohort for women CEO and business owners where they meet monthly for peer-to-peer conversations in a confidential environment. They participate in leadership development, goal setting, with accountability, and share opportunities to support each other as they strive for business growth and success.
HOSTED EVENTS
0
WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR PARTICIPANTS
0
ST. PETE BUSINESS IMPACT SURVEY 2022
The City of St. Petersburg Economic & Workforce Development Department and The Greenhouse administered the St. Petersburg Business Wellness survey in January to February, 2022 and received 310 responses. The survey provides insights into the state of the economy and recovery efforts brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data from the Business Wellness Survey helps inform business leaders where they stand in relation to their peers — and is helping policymakers better understand the rapidly changing needs of the business community. The survey will help us better support the post-pandemic recovery for employers, jobseekers and St. Pete community.
Thesurvey includes input from a diverse set of businesses across the city, from very large major employers to local small businesses, with about 70% of respondents having fewer than 10 employees. The industry categories were also diverse, including Professional and Business Services, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Health Care, and Construction among other sectors.
Stakeholders interested in seeing full results may access PDF report summary and excel raw data.
Overall business impact during pandemic recovery period compared to pre-pandemic
No Data Found
In 2021, did your business have a change in operating revenues/sales/receipts, not including any financial assistance or loans?
No Data Found
In 2020, did your business have a change in operating revenues/sales/receipts, not including any financial assistance or loans?
No Data Found
Summary: Compared to reported revenue impact between 2022 and 2021 surveys, businesses experienced a total 39% drop in negative revenue impact while seeing an overall increase in revenue by a total of 33% compared to 2020 operations.
Is St. Pete a Good Place to Conduct Business?
Business operation satisfaction rate in St. Petersburg
No Data Found
Greenhouse Support Services
Businesses aware of Greenhouse Services
0
%
Satisfied with Greenhouse Services Provided
0
%
Top Areas of Assistance
Incentive/grant programs
49.3%
General business questions or small business assistance needs (Business Navigation)
49.3%
Training/business development and capacity building workshops
38%
Mentorship and/or business consultant (ex: Score or SBDC)
21.8%
Resource Connection
12.7%
Small Business Enterprise and supplier diversity programs
6.3%
Community and connection building events (ex: 1MC, NPC)
5.6%
Other
12.4%