The Greenlining Institute's Small Business Research: California's Small Businesses

1. California's Small Businesses

Dear participant,

The Greenlining Institute is a multi-ethnic public policy research and advocacy institute located in Berkeley, California.

Greenlining has long been a vocal advocate of small business growth and supplier diversity. This project is part of a larger initiative to identify the landscape and then conduct a needs assessment of the small business community in California.

Thank you for taking the time to provide insight into your business experiences. At Greenlining, we respect your privacy and maintain your right to reserve anonymity in your responses. Your name and contact information is not required.

Following submission of your survey responses, you will be directed to an independent, optional survey for participation in the iPad raffle. The information submitted at the raffle page will in no way be connected to your business survey responses.

**Note: If an individual other than the business' owner is completing this survey, please respond on behalf of the owner or CEO.

1. Which of the following best describes the industry or sector in which this business operates?

Professional services (including technical, scientific, legal)
Raw materials (including agriculture), Construction, and Industrial Services
Distribution and Trade
Retail, Accommodation, and Food Services
Communications and Information Services
Other (Please Specify)

2. In what California county is this business located?

3. What is the form of ownership at this business?

Sole proprietorship (unincorporated enterprise owned by one person)
Partnership (unincorporated enterprise owned by two or more persons)
Corporation (enterprise legally incorporated under state laws)
Other (Please Specify)

4. How many years has this business been under its current ownership?

5. How did you initially acquire ownership of this business?

I founded this business.
I purchased this business.
I inherited this business.
I received transfer of ownership or was gifted this business.
Other (Please Specify)

6. How many individuals were employed full time equivalent (FTE) at this establishment in year 2011?

7. What was total revenue at this establishment for the last fiscal year?

8. Is this a certified small business?

No
Yes, my business is certified with:

9. Referring to the owner(s) of this business, which best describes his/her race or ethnicity?

10. Referring to the owner(s) of this business, is he/she Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino?

No
Yes, Mexican, Mexican American, or Chicano
Yes, Puerto Rican
Yes, Cuban

11. What is the owner's country of birth?

12. What was the initial source(s) of capital used to start or acquire this business?
(Please select all that apply)

Bank loan
Credit card
Private loan (friend/family)
Personal/family savings of owner(s)
Investment by venture capitalist(s)
Grant(s)
Home equity line of credit
Other (Please Specify)

13. How have gross revenues at this establishment changed over the last 3 years?

Increased
No change
Decreased

14. Has the owner(s) applied for a business loan in the last two years? If so, was the application approved?

Yes, I was approved.
Yes, I was not approved.
No, I did not apply for a loan.


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