Empower Your Business Survey

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1. Contact email (Optional):

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2. Is your business currently operating?

Yes

No, business is not yet started.

No, business is temporarily closed

No, business has permanently closed or been sold/transferred

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3. In what year was your business established? (YYYY)

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4. How many years have you been in operation?

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5. Is your business for-profit or not-for-profit?

For Profit

Non-Profit / Not-For-Profit

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6. What is your primary business? (Please describe)

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7. Does your business qualify as a Federal Minority or Women Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) or Miami-Dade County Disadvantaged Enterprise (DBE)?

Yes — MWBE

Yes — DBE

Don't Know

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8. Where is your business headquarters?

Miami Beach

Outside Miami Beach, but in Miami-Dade County

Outside Miami-Dade County, but in Florida

Outside Florida

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9. Where do you operate your business from?

Home

Storefront Retail / Restaurant

Office

Factory or Warehouse

Co-Working or Shared Office

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10. Why did the owner(s) start or purchase this business? (Select all that apply)

To generate income

Good/ service to bring to market

Start or continue family business

Flexible work arrangement/ preferred to be my own boss

No other employment options

Other (please specify):

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11. Select all that apply:

Accommodation and Food Services

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting

Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Recreation

Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services

Computer Systems Design and Related Services

Educational Services

Finance and Insurance

Health Care and Social Assistance

Management of Companies and Enterprises or Administrative, Support, Waste Management or Remediation Services

Manufacturing

Other Information Technology

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing

Software Publishers

Transportation and Warehousing

Utilities or Construction

Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services

Wholesale or Retail Trade

Other Services (except Public Administration):

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12. How many full-time (30 hours or more) employees did you have in December 2023?

0 — I am a Sole Proprietor

1-4

5-9

10-19

20+

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13. How many part-time employees (less than 30 hours per week, or for less than the full year), including contractors, did you use in 2023?

1-4

5-9

10+

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14. What share of your employees identify as minorities (non-white), women, or LGBTQ+?

None

1-25%

26-50%

51-75%

76-100%

Unsure / Decline to Answer

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15. What percentage of your employees are residents of Miami Beach?

1-10%

11-50%

+50%

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16. What percentage of your sales come from outside Miami-Dade County?

25% or less

25-49%

50% or more

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17. What traits help make your business more competitive than your competitors? (Select all that apply)

Our hours

Our location

Our marketing is better

Our price is lower

Our product quality is better

Our service and customer support are better

Our social media and digital engagement are better

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18. Did your business earn a profit in 2022?

Yes

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19. Did your business earn a profit in 2023?

Yes

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20. What percentage did your sales grow from 2022 to 2023?

Did not grow

1-3%

4-6%

More than 6%

Not in business in 2022

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21. What was your gross sales or gross revenues in 2023?

$50,000 or less

$50,001-$100,000

$100,001-$500,000

$500,001-$1,000,000

More than $1,000,00

Unsure or decline to answer

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22. Has your business experienced any of the following operational challenges during the past 12 months? (Select all that apply)

Complying with, or restrictive government regulations

Ensuring health/safety of customers or employees

Expensive employee wages or benefits

Expensive or unavailable utilities

Expensive rent

Expensive shipping or transportation

Hiring or retaining qualified staff

In-town competition

Insufficient parking

Language barriers

Out-of-town competition

Poor building condition

Reaching customers/ growing sales

Shoplifting or theft

Supply chain issues

Utilizing technology (e.g., Web-Based, website, social media, ecommerce, cybersecurity, Robotics, AI, Computers, etc.)

Vandalism

Other operational challenge (please specify):

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23. Has your business experienced any of the following financial challenges during the past 12 months? (Select all that apply)

Increased cost of goods, services, and/or wages

Making payments on debt/ interest rates

Obtaining capital, credit, or funding

Paying business expenses (including wages, rent, inventory costs)

Uneven cash flow (including collecting on receivables)

Weak sales

Other financial challenge (please specify):

None of these challenges

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24. Did you apply to obtain funding for your business in the last 5 years?

No — did not apply to obtain any funds from outside the business.

Yes — obtained funding for the business

Tried to obtain funding, but was not successful

Applied for funding and funding is pending

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25. What purpose(s) was/is your business seeking financing? (Select all that apply)

Expand business, pursue new opportunity, or acquire business assets

Meet operating expenses (including wages, rent, etc.)

Refinance or pay down debt

Replace capital assets or make repairs

Utilizing technology (e.g., web-based, website, social media, ecommerce, cybersecurity, robotics, AI, computers, etc.)

Other (please specify):

Not applicable

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26. How much total financing was/is your business seeking in the 5 years?

$25,000 or less

$25,001-$100,000

$100,001-$1,000,000

More than $1,000,000

Not applicable

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27. How would you rate Miami Beach as a place to start or grow a business?

Not a good place to grow or start a business

A somewhat good place to grow or start a business

A very good place to grow or start a business

An excellent place to grow or start a business

Not a good place to grow or start a business

A somewhat good place to grow or start a business

A very good place to grow or start a business

An excellent place to grow or start a business

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28. Do you have a detailed strategic plan for your business?

Yes

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29. What would you say is the is the value of your business today? ($)

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30. What are your business goals? (Select all that apply)

Apply new technology to my business (e.g., Web-Based, website, social media, ecommerce, cybersecurity, Robotics, AI, Computers, etc.)

Change my business model

Develop and/or launch new product(s) or services

Expand into new markets

Expand sales internationally

Expand sales nationally

Expand sales within the region

Grow into a nation leading company in my market

Grow into a region leading company in my market

Hire new employees

Improve my business strategic planning

Improve the quality of my products and/or services

Keep the company long-term

Keep up with my competition

Sell the company at a profit to investors, or take it to a public offering

Strategic Planning

Sustain my business at the current level, I have no plans to expand

Other (please specify):

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31. How optimistic are you about the future of your business?

Not optimistic

Mildly optimistic

Optimistic

Very optimistic

Not optimistic

Mildly optimistic

Optimistic

Very optimistic

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32. In the next 5 years, do you plan to keep your business in Miami Beach?

Yes

No (please explain why):

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33. The City is evaluating the services most needed by small businesses, and how they can be best delivered. What support services would be most valuable to your business? Please choose one from the dropdown below.

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34. Would you be willing to pay for the services, in the previous question, if the services provided clear value for your business?

Yes

No — I only want free services

Maybe — if the cost is nominal

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35. Which type of training do you prefer?

In person

Virtual

One on One

Combination

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36. What Type of Program(s) Interests You Most, and Works for Your Business and Personal Situation?

	Not Interested	Somewhat Interested	Very Interested
Business Consulting Services: Several universities and institutions provide intensive business consulting services to small businesses to help businesses grow and secure financing from a variety of sources including government, grants, banks, and other lenders. Businesses work with a business consulting team, usually for3-5 weeks, at time convenient for the business.	Business Consulting Services: Several universities and institutions provide intensive business consulting services to small businesses to help businesses grow and secure financing from a variety of sources including government, grants, banks, and other lenders. Businesses work with a business consulting team, usually for3-5 weeks, at time convenient for the business. Not Interested	Business Consulting Services: Several universities and institutions provide intensive business consulting services to small businesses to help businesses grow and secure financing from a variety of sources including government, grants, banks, and other lenders. Businesses work with a business consulting team, usually for3-5 weeks, at time convenient for the business. Somewhat Interested	Business Consulting Services: Several universities and institutions provide intensive business consulting services to small businesses to help businesses grow and secure financing from a variety of sources including government, grants, banks, and other lenders. Businesses work with a business consulting team, usually for3-5 weeks, at time convenient for the business. Very Interested
Mentoring and/or Coaching Services: Regularly scheduled 1:1 advice with experienced business experts/counselors to explore and how to navigate business problem solving, and/ or how to strategically plan to grow your business, access funding/capital, and network with service providers, customers, or investors	Mentoring and/or Coaching Services: Regularly scheduled 1:1 advice with experienced business experts/counselors to explore and how to navigate business problem solving, and/ or how to strategically plan to grow your business, access funding/capital, and network with service providers, customers, or investors Not Interested	Mentoring and/or Coaching Services: Regularly scheduled 1:1 advice with experienced business experts/counselors to explore and how to navigate business problem solving, and/ or how to strategically plan to grow your business, access funding/capital, and network with service providers, customers, or investors Somewhat Interested	Mentoring and/or Coaching Services: Regularly scheduled 1:1 advice with experienced business experts/counselors to explore and how to navigate business problem solving, and/ or how to strategically plan to grow your business, access funding/capital, and network with service providers, customers, or investors Very Interested
Business Boot Camp: Intensive multi-day learning experiences where experts, in a very specific business, are leveraged to provide instructional sessions with entrepreneurs and business owners to focus on specific subject matters, such as applying new technology and strategic planning. Networking and pitch sessions, where business practice presenting business ideas to investors, is typically included with financial awards.	Business Boot Camp: Intensive multi-day learning experiences where experts, in a very specific business, are leveraged to provide instructional sessions with entrepreneurs and business owners to focus on specific subject matters, such as applying new technology and strategic planning. Networking and pitch sessions, where business practice presenting business ideas to investors, is typically included with financial awards. Not Interested	Business Boot Camp: Intensive multi-day learning experiences where experts, in a very specific business, are leveraged to provide instructional sessions with entrepreneurs and business owners to focus on specific subject matters, such as applying new technology and strategic planning. Networking and pitch sessions, where business practice presenting business ideas to investors, is typically included with financial awards. Somewhat Interested	Business Boot Camp: Intensive multi-day learning experiences where experts, in a very specific business, are leveraged to provide instructional sessions with entrepreneurs and business owners to focus on specific subject matters, such as applying new technology and strategic planning. Networking and pitch sessions, where business practice presenting business ideas to investors, is typically included with financial awards. Very Interested
Business Plan Competition: Business plan competitions are a popular way to compete for cash investments in small businesses. Owners present their business plan to a panel of judges. Awards vary in Miami—from $10,000 to $250,000.	Business Plan Competition: Business plan competitions are a popular way to compete for cash investments in small businesses. Owners present their business plan to a panel of judges. Awards vary in Miami—from $10,000 to $250,000. Not Interested	Business Plan Competition: Business plan competitions are a popular way to compete for cash investments in small businesses. Owners present their business plan to a panel of judges. Awards vary in Miami—from $10,000 to $250,000. Somewhat Interested	Business Plan Competition: Business plan competitions are a popular way to compete for cash investments in small businesses. Owners present their business plan to a panel of judges. Awards vary in Miami—from $10,000 to $250,000. Very Interested
Co-Working Space: Co-working spaces provide affordable, flexible space for entrepreneurs and small teams, when traditional office space is not available, or cost prohibited. Co-Working spaces provide a range of on-site amenities, including networking events, shared conference rooms, administrative support, business development training, and occasional pitch competitions.	Co-Working Space: Co-working spaces provide affordable, flexible space for entrepreneurs and small teams, when traditional office space is not available, or cost prohibited. Co-Working spaces provide a range of on-site amenities, including networking events, shared conference rooms, administrative support, business development training, and occasional pitch competitions. Not Interested	Co-Working Space: Co-working spaces provide affordable, flexible space for entrepreneurs and small teams, when traditional office space is not available, or cost prohibited. Co-Working spaces provide a range of on-site amenities, including networking events, shared conference rooms, administrative support, business development training, and occasional pitch competitions. Somewhat Interested	Co-Working Space: Co-working spaces provide affordable, flexible space for entrepreneurs and small teams, when traditional office space is not available, or cost prohibited. Co-Working spaces provide a range of on-site amenities, including networking events, shared conference rooms, administrative support, business development training, and occasional pitch competitions. Very Interested
Business Incubator: Incubators provide low-cost long-term leases for qualifying businesses, mentoring, networking, and/or consulting services to grow your business. The goal of most incubators is to provide low-cost space and capacity building resources to support new businesses in early stages development.	Business Incubator: Incubators provide low-cost long-term leases for qualifying businesses, mentoring, networking, and/or consulting services to grow your business. The goal of most incubators is to provide low-cost space and capacity building resources to support new businesses in early stages development. Not Interested	Business Incubator: Incubators provide low-cost long-term leases for qualifying businesses, mentoring, networking, and/or consulting services to grow your business. The goal of most incubators is to provide low-cost space and capacity building resources to support new businesses in early stages development. Somewhat Interested	Business Incubator: Incubators provide low-cost long-term leases for qualifying businesses, mentoring, networking, and/or consulting services to grow your business. The goal of most incubators is to provide low-cost space and capacity building resources to support new businesses in early stages development. Very Interested
Business Accelerator: Accelerators provide intensive 6–12-week capacity building services for established businesses ready to move to the next level of growth. Services include mentoring from professional consultants/business experts and investors to perfect your business model, and how to strategically plan to scale up business. Businesses in an accelerator meet 3-7 times per week, and collaborate with small businesses, share and explore best practices, network and engage in a Co-Working space. The program concludes with opportunities to present business ideas to potential investors and funders. Some accelerator programs require a sharing of a small percentage of ownership (4%-6%) in the business.	Business Accelerator: Accelerators provide intensive 6–12-week capacity building services for established businesses ready to move to the next level of growth. Services include mentoring from professional consultants/business experts and investors to perfect your business model, and how to strategically plan to scale up business. Businesses in an accelerator meet 3-7 times per week, and collaborate with small businesses, share and explore best practices, network and engage in a Co-Working space. The program concludes with opportunities to present business ideas to potential investors and funders. Some accelerator programs require a sharing of a small percentage of ownership (4%-6%) in the business. Not Interested	Business Accelerator: Accelerators provide intensive 6–12-week capacity building services for established businesses ready to move to the next level of growth. Services include mentoring from professional consultants/business experts and investors to perfect your business model, and how to strategically plan to scale up business. Businesses in an accelerator meet 3-7 times per week, and collaborate with small businesses, share and explore best practices, network and engage in a Co-Working space. The program concludes with opportunities to present business ideas to potential investors and funders. Some accelerator programs require a sharing of a small percentage of ownership (4%-6%) in the business. Somewhat Interested	Business Accelerator: Accelerators provide intensive 6–12-week capacity building services for established businesses ready to move to the next level of growth. Services include mentoring from professional consultants/business experts and investors to perfect your business model, and how to strategically plan to scale up business. Businesses in an accelerator meet 3-7 times per week, and collaborate with small businesses, share and explore best practices, network and engage in a Co-Working space. The program concludes with opportunities to present business ideas to potential investors and funders. Some accelerator programs require a sharing of a small percentage of ownership (4%-6%) in the business. Very Interested

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37. Have you participated in any of the programs listed in question 33 before? (Select all that apply)

Business Consulting Services

Mentoring and/or Coaching Services

Business Boot Camp

Business Plan Competition

Co-Working Space

Business Incubator

Business Accelerator

Other (please specify):

100% of survey complete.