Entrepreneurship
I’ll help Ward 5 entrepreneurs turn ideas into action—with microgrants, mentorship, and real support for new small businesses and first-time founders.
A Startup City, Launching Here in Ward 5
Backing entrepreneurs with real support, not just good luck
Somerville is full of dreamers, doers, and risk-takers, but too many would-be entrepreneurs hit a wall of red tape, bureaucracy, or a simple lack of guidance. I’ve built companies from scratch and I know how frustrating it can be to navigate the early stages alone. That’s why I’m committed to making Ward 5 a launchpad for local business—whether you’re opening a bakery, freelancing from home, or building an app in your basement.
Local government should be a partner in your success, not a passive bystander. I’ll put City resources to work for you—and show up myself to help you get started.
A Ward 5 Business Launchpad
1. Monthly “Startup Sessions” & Meetups
I’ll host monthly community meetups in Ward 5 for aspiring business owners, offering real-time support, mentorship, and access to local experts who’ve been there. These sessions will focus on practical steps: how to register your business, access startup capital, apply for city permits, and more.
2. Microgrants for First-Time Founders
Too often, a few hundred dollars is the difference between getting started and giving up. I’ll work to establish a City-funded microgrant program to provide small, fast-turnaround seed funds for first-time entrepreneurs, especially women, immigrants, and working-class residents trying to start something new.
3. Clearer, Friendlier Business Guides
We’ll publish a “Ward 5 Business Starter Kit”; a clear, step-by-step guide on how to open a business in Somerville, updated in plain language and translated into our top six languages. I’ll also push to streamline the City’s online permitting system so no one has to hunt for basic information.
4. Online Seminars & How-To Resources
For those who can’t make in-person events, I’ll launch free, on-demand video tutorials covering topics like filing for an LLC, choosing the right license, getting a small business loan, and more. Every resident with an idea deserves a place to begin.
5. A City That Champions Entrepreneurs
I’ll advocate for a citywide Small Business Resource Office with dedicated staff focused on supporting new entrepreneurs, especially home-based businesses, solo ventures, and those outside traditional retail. We need a 21st-century approach to entrepreneurship, one that reflects how people actually start businesses today.
Let’s make Ward 5 a launchpad for the next generation of Somerville business owners. If you’ve got a dream, I want the City to help make it real.
