Other Important Issues To Entrepreneurs

In an open ended question entrepreneurs were asked "Anything else that you would like to tell us about issues that are important to you, as an entrepreneur in Arizona?"

The four most frequently mentioned responses address the issue of strong business leadership for Arizona, from media organizations, and leaders of business development organizations, in enhancing the state's entrepreneurial image, and in direct support of emerging enterprises from large businesses in the state. *

Increased Media Coverage for Arizona's Entrepreneurs
* Better Organization of Resources for Entrepreneurs
* Develop Arizona's Potential
* More Large Company Support Other frequently mentioned responses: * Use Other States As Models
* Reduce Tax and Regulatory Burden
* Tech Transfer from Universities
* It's All Up to the Entrepreneurs

A sampling of comments:

Increased Media Coverage for Arizona's Entrepreneurs

"I feel more coverage of local business should be pursued by the local newspaper and TV stations. They do a good job of covering new restaurants but do little to nothing covering the local mechanic, painter, toy manufacturer and even a web site management company that is little more than one year old and growing. A position in the business section of the Arizona Republic on emerging companies would do wonders for the community and the support of local establishments. I often hear all the jobs and projects for local people and business go out of state. It is time to bring the focus back to building Arizona commerce."

Better Organization of Resources for Entrepreneurs

"We have an abundance of service providers, some excellent some very poor, but very little PEER help for technology startup companies. Silicon Valley has taught us that when companies work with each other, everyone can make money. Again, it seems to go back to the poor self image."

"So far, it seems that everyone is on their own without a great deal of support systems in place. It's getting better -- Enterprise Network, NAWBO, Women President's Organization, etc., but it was pretty bleak a few years ago."

"I feel that there is more private capital in AZ than I could ever need, but I have no efficient way to get at it or identify and talk to the investors who have the capital."

Develop Arizona's Potential

"Arizona has immense potential. We are underselling ourselves. Here we are next to California with the 5th largest economy in the world and we have failed to take advantage. We represent lower operating costs, available resources such as land and labor and a very favorable cost of living. We have 3 highly respected universities graduating thousands of talented individuals each year, yet we complain we can't attract top talent."

"Arizona's PR image is more of a tourism capital than a tech center. The state government needs to agree on what its focus is. If it wants to attract business, it needs to focus more on that image, and less on the resorts and golf courses available in the state."

More Large Company Support

"The big companies in Arizona also pay a lot of lip service to how much business they do with small business and how much money they put into organizations like NAWBO; but I have not seen, nor have many of my small business associates seen any real tangible business from any of these big businesses nor the City, Counties or State."

Use Other States As Models

"This state is still in the dark ages in support of entrepreneurial businesses. We should look long and hard at states like Colorado and Texas and the ways they used to create strong business centers."

"I've had a chance to visit other states and learn about the investment community elsewhere. Arizona's appears to be fragmented while others seem to be coordinated and focused. Though some duplication of effort is inevitable, Arizona appears to lack a coordinated program to encourage new business to start and grow here. So many of the startup businesses need mentoring, as I've learned by being on the Advisory Board of more than one. Some locations are coordinating efforts to create entrepreneurial or technological centers for startups."

Reduce Tax and Regulatory Burden

"As a small business with fewer than 5 employees, the high sales tax and unemployment tax rates are hard to handle. Also, high medical insurance premiums make it impossible to offer a benefits package to employees."

"Tax structure is against small business, most local government elected officials are anti-business and direct their major concern toward environmental issues. If there is no business growth, there will be less tax money to fund all the pet environmental projects."

Tech Transfer from Universities

"Encouraging Tech Transfer from the state universities would be a critical issue. In particular, the focus should be on encouraging the creation of new businesses in Arizona rather than on merely licensing the technology to firms, many of which will be from out of state."

It's All Up to the Entrepreneurs

"Gotta do it ourselves. We have a wonderful competitive advantage in the climate and quality of life. We have an embarrassing state government and a news media that wouldn't know an entrepreneur if one bit them."

"I don't believe that there are problems raising money in Arizona - I think that a bunch of poor business people are trying to start businesses and complain because they can't get funding. We have plenty of poorly managed businesses (high tech) in Arizona and it's time for a change."

"I will probably remain in the state for at least another 20 years. Therefore, I HAVE to make the best of it! I have an excellent attitude regarding my business and HAVE to maintain that until I can afford to retire (or rather die trying!)."