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Bellevue launches small‑business concierge to guide entrepreneurs through permitting
Summary
Development Services previewed a small‑business concierge that pairs a small‑business analyst and a case manager to help entrepreneurs from prelease through construction; staff said the service has already helped a bakery relocating from Budapest and a local kitchen tenant in Kelsey Creek Plaza.
Development Services outlined a proactive small‑business program to assist entrepreneurs through site selection, permit readiness, and inspections.
Program Manager Steph Collier described the model: a small‑business analyst (Yoshiko Ueda) conducts initial qualification, then Collier provides hands‑on, one‑on‑one support. The program targets firms with fewer than 25 full‑time employees and under $5,000,000 annual recurring revenue; services include prelease guidance, connections to economic development resources, and Mini City Hall office hours for walk‑in help. "We have partnered with economic development. Yoshiko Ueda is our small business analyst," Collier said.
Collier shared early successes: an international bakery relocating from Budapest and a local tenant, Taste Buds Kitchen (Kelsey Creek Plaza), which staff helped during its review; staff expect an opening within months. Council members asked how the program reaches small and underserved entrepreneurs, whether pop‑up retail or temporary storefronts could be supported, and what feedback loops exist; staff pointed to partnerships with brokers, property managers, the Chamber, and a small‑business development center offering no‑cost advising.
Staff said they will track outcomes (customer satisfaction targets, time saved, number of businesses assisted) and return with dashboard metrics. The initiative is informational at this meeting and will integrate with the department’s continuous improvement work plan.
