Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Brisky.
Kimberly, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 2010, Elliot Richardson, the owner of a small Chicago-based law firm, was frustrated with the uphill battle facing many small business owners in the state of Illinois. He felt his community had no voice and no representation in Springfield. Richardson wanted to be part of the solution and launched The Small Business Advocacy Council to provide small businesses in Illinois every opportunity to succeed.
Today, the SBAC is a growing non-partisan, member-driven organization that promotes the success of small business through political advocacy, support services, and educational programs.
I joined the team in the summer of 2017 as the Director of Communications and Public Affairs. Prior to joining the SBAC, I spent over a decade working on campaigns and as a congressional staffer in Washington, DC. As a native of Glenview, Illinois, I am proud to help small business leaders from my home state navigate the political uncertainty in local, state and federal government.
Has it been a smooth road?
Growing a non-profit is like launching a small business in many ways, especially in that time and financial resources are limited.
The SBAC is powered by the engagement of our members, so there is the constant drive to build up our critical mass while retaining those already involved. But what makes the SBAC unique is our non-partisan nature. Our organization has members across the political spectrum and we work with elected officials on both sides of the aisle.
This allows us to build momentum through legislative successes that encourage growth and level the playing field for the small business community in Illinois, while also building trust to bring all sides to the table to tackle the bigger problems facing our state.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Small Business Advocacy Council story. Tell us more about the business.
The Small Business Advocacy Council is a full-service advocacy organization and empowers its members in four distinct ways. First, it offers members a non-partisan and effective voice on their behalf in Washington, DC, Springfield and on a local level. Second, the SBAC connects entrepreneurs with other members in order to foster relationships within the community and generate mutually beneficial strategic partnerships. Third, the organization offers educational programming to promote best business practices and encourage growth. Lastly, the SBAC provides exclusive benefits to its members, including an array of discounts and rebates to help lower the costs of operating a business.
Our advocacy efforts focus on three main areas: promoting a functional government, leveling the playing field for small businesses and encouraging economic development. We take on big issues, like pension reform and Fair Maps to ensuring regulatory fairness and simplifying city code.
We are proud of the positive impact our efforts have had on the small business community. For example, with the help of a robust coalition, we lowered the fees to operate an LLC in Illinois. Before we weighed in, it cost more for a small business to start an LLC than form as a C Corporation.
This year, we were successful in pushing three initiatives through the General Assembly, including a bill to amend the 1934 Liquor Control act to grant authority to the local liquor control commissioner to give exemptions for businesses that wish to serve alcohol within 100 ft. of a religious institution, school, and other community establishments currently prohibited by state law. Removing this onerous obstacle will open the door to economic development in areas across the city and beyond.
We also took the lead in drafting and advocating for legislation to expand economic impact analysis when new rules are proposed by requiring state agencies to list the industries that will be impacted, and identify the types of impacts small businesses the proposed rule will have on small business owners. The goal is to bring the unique challenges small businesses face to the forefront while regulators are drafting new rules, rather than needing to address issues after the fact.
As I mentioned previously, what makes the SBAC special – or our “secret sauce” – is the non-partisan nature of our organization, and our willingness to take on issues that may not always grab the headlines, but will positively impact the bottom line for our members.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The goal of the SBAC is to continue to grow our critical mass in order to better represent the interests of the small business community on the local, state and federal level. Our current membership is concentrated in the city of Chicago and collar counties, but we are always looking to expand our footprint – through additional members as well as coalition partners.
As the contentiousness of the political arena continues to grow, the SBAC can continue to be a strong and consistent advocate, without being pulled into partisan battles. Every issue we take on must have the buy-in of our Policy Committee members. This ensures we remain focused on our mission.
Pricing:
- General membership to the SBAC is $300 a year, but new members that use the discount code standtall35, receive a $35 discount for the first year of membership.
- For those looking to increase your impact on advocacy efforts and visibility in the organization, members can also upgrade to a Premier Advocate membership at a price point of $1500 annually.
- For all membership inquiries, please visit www.sbacil.org/join-today or contact Kathi Quinn at (312) 548-8608
Contact Info:
- Address: 120 W. Madison
Suite 520
Chicago, IL 60602 - Website: www.sbacil.org
- Phone: 312-548-8608
- Email: kimberly@sbacil.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessAdvocacyCouncil/
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SBACIL
Image Credit:
Larry Englehard DejaViewsUSA
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