Program Survey for Business Courses

EDC Business Pulse Survey
The Economic Development Council (EDC) is a nonprofit organization serving all of the San Juan Islands. Our mission is to strengthen local economic conditions through business support, workforce training, community engagement, and advocacy.

Your insights are essential to helping us understand current economic conditions and the challenges and opportunities facing our community. Your feedback will help shape future programs, resources, and advocacy efforts.

Survey details: Time estimate: 8–10 minutes. Confidentiality: Responses are confidential and will be reported only in aggregate.

Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective.
Name (optional):

First NameLast Name
Business Name (optional):
Your Island:*
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If you would like to receive information about trainings and programs EDC offers for small businesses, please enter your email.
1. Are you a business owner/manager/self-employed OR an employee of a business?*

Business owner with employeesSelf-employed small business owner or contractorManagerEmployee/workerBoth (I work at a job and I have a side gig)I'm currently unemployed
3. Type of business that you own, manage, or work at:*

Agriculture, Forestry & Natural Resources (farms, aquaculture, timber, value-added)Construction, Trades & Home Services (contractors, landscapers, cleaners, home maintenance)Health, Wellness & Care Services (clinics, therapists, childcare, eldercare, wellness practitioners)Hospitality (restaurants, lodging, attractions, charters, tours)Manufacturing, Makers & Product-Based Businesses (small manufacturers, artisans, fabricators, packaged goods)Nonprofits (501c3 and 501c6 nonprofits, private schools)Professional, Technical & Creative Services (consultants, IT, designers, accountants, insurance, bookkeepers, photographers, engineers, software, communications)Retail & Personal Services (shops, salons, fitness)
2. Is your business headquartered in San Juan County?*

YesNoNot sure
4. Which of the following best describes your customers?

Local residentsVisitors/tourists (non-resident customer served here)Off-island resident (non-resident customer served elsewhere, e.g., by shipping a product)MixedOther businesses (B2B)Governments/nonprofits
5. Business owners: Where is your company in its life cycle?

Dream or ideaStart-up (less than 3 years)Established/operating (over 3 years)ExpandingDeclining
6. If a business owner, do you plan to hire in the next 12 months?

YesNo
7. What is your annual net income/profit from your business or income from your job

Under $40,000$40,000-80,000$80,000 to $150,000$150,000 to $500,000$500,000 to $1MOver $1MI prefer not to say
8. Business owners, what types of business workshops would be the most helpful to you or your business? (select all that apply)

Business Operations, Management (accounting, taxes, regulations, insurance)Business Sustainability & Performance (time and stress management, burnout, focus)Financial Management & Access to Capital (cash flow, loans, bookkeeping)Hiring Employees & Workforce RequirementsManaging People (HR, supervision, retention)Marketing & Customer Outreach (advertising, digital, content, market research)Sales, Pricing (selling my product or service)Starting a business (planning, licensing, permits)Succession Planning (transitioning, retiring or closing a business)
9. Managers/workers/employees: what types of workforce training would be the most helpful to you? (select all that apply)

Construction industry skills training (e.g., welding)Financial literacy (investing, saving, loans)Healthcare industry skills training (e.g., home care aide)Hospitality training (e.g., property systems, food safety)Literacy and digital skillsManagement trainingMaritime industry skills training (e.g., boat repair)Soft skills (job interviews, customer service)Starting a side hustle (licensing, startup entrepreneurship)Tech skills training
7. What days and times could you attend workshops? (select all that apply)*

Weekday MorningsWeekday AfternoonsWeekday EveningsWeekendsRecorded/On-DemandOne-on-one help on my scheduleI'm unlikely to attend workshops
10. Do you predict economic positivity/profitability OR negativity in the next 12 months?

Positive economic outlook for the next 12 monthsNegative economic outlook for the next 12 monthsNeutral economic outlook for the next 12 monthsNot sure
8. Are you (select all that apply):*

An entrepreneur with a disabilityA veteran entrepreneurA woman entrepreneurA BIPOC entrepreneurNone of the above
11. Business owners: What are your main challenges with running your business in the San Juan Islands?
12. Workers/employees: What are your main challenges with working in the San Juan Islands?
13. Is there anything else you would like to tell us, or that we can help with?
Thank you!

Your information will be anonymized and aggregated to help us better serve the community.
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EDC Business Pulse Survey

Thank you!