The Big Picture

Vision

We envision a lasting prosperity grounded in place: a thriving regional economy, healthy environment, strong community, and happy residents. We believe that locally-owned businesses, in partnership with residents and other organizations, have a central role to play.

Purpose

Seattle Good Business Network is a network of local businesses, non-profit and municipal organizations, and residents dedicated to building a vibrant, local economy based on shared environmental and community values. Our purpose is to connect, empower, and promote locally owned, independently operated businesses in the stewardship of our place.

Approach

Promote: The Network will initiate ongoing public relations campaigns that increase community awareness of the importance of buying and sourcing locally, and showcase the positive impact that local independent businesses have on environmental and community health.

Connect: Online and in person, business leaders will be able to exchange valuable information about what works in their business, identify opportunities for collaboration, and build relationships with others who share their values.

Empower: The Network will be a forum for information and resources to help local businesses identify and implement opportunities to be great community stewards...to source locally, operate sustainably, be better employers, etc.

Values

Our collective success depends on our ability to be:

Inclusive

• Every business has the ability to work within a sustainable framework.
• Everyone has something to offer on this path and everyone can benefit from help.
• We are open to new ideas, approaches, and thinking.
• We strive to meet people where they are.

Accountable

• Our connections to place, community, and people are what drive us.
• We seek clarity around commitments, support open communication, and follow through.
• We focus on the decision-makers.
• We measure the positive impact of our organization and our members.

Collaborative

• We assume there are others who have meaningful contributions, and seek them out.
• We are one piece of the puzzle; effective partnerships will get us all there faster.
• Good ideas should be shared.

Positive

• A can-do attitude will help us navigate the inevitable hurdles.
• We seek solutions, action, and results.
• We lead and inspire by positive example, rather than by focusing on what's wrong.
• We want to make it a better party, we want people to be happy, and we want to have fun!

Authentic

• We always aspire to act with integrity.
• We do our best given what we have to work with at the time.
• We are honest about where we are, and where we want to be.

Agile

• Action is the basis of results.
• We assume that where we start is not where we'll end; so just start, and adjust as necessary.
• There is always something positive to do now, and then a way to do it better.
• We are resilient, flexible, and present.