Portland Office of Small Business Year One Impact Report

In its first year, Portland Office of Small Business (OSB) set out to build trust with the city’s small business owners by listening deeply, showing up consistently, and offering practical, human-centered support. Engaging with more than 750 businesses across all four council districts—and providing over 1,700 follow-up interactions—the office focused on meeting owners where they were, whether launching an idea or expanding an established storefront.

We invite you to explore our Year One Impact Report and learn the stories of four businesses we got to work with.

“Small businesses aren’t statistics,” shared Mitch Daugherty, manager of Portland Office of Small Business, “They’re people betting on themselves, often carrying the weight and stress of a dream on their shoulders. OSB’s first year was an attempt to honor that with presence, support, and partnership.”

Using multilingual resources, including a comprehensive website, citywide events, in-district office hours, coordination with key bureaus, education and outreach programs, and efforts to spotlight local businesses, OSB laid a foundation of partnership and accessibility.

Year One demonstrated that when the city invests in relationships and responsive service, small businesses can feel seen, supported, and better equipped to thrive.

As the office enters year two, the work continues: more coordination, more visibility, more responsiveness. In a city where small businesses serve as cultural anchors as much as economic drivers, the question is no longer whether city support matters. It’s how consistently the city can deliver it. The office’s role remains the same: keep listening, keep showing up, and keep recognizing that behind every business, there’s a person trying to build something that matters.