Originally published at https://www.escondido.org on June 8 2021.
Looking to open a dream business in Escondido? Whether searching for the perfect parcel, navigating zoning restrictions, making tenant improvements, or getting ready to open the doors for business, the City of Escondido goes above and beyond to support business owners throughout the process.
“We have continued to help streamline our processes and provide digital access in order to make them as user-friendly and accessible for business owners as possible,” said Joanna Axelrod, Escondido’s Deputy City Manager/ Director of Communications & Community Services. “This includes support in searching for commercial and industrial properties available for sale or lease in the City, an online portal for processing business license applications and renewals, a plethora of helpful resources and marketing tools to support business success, and access to staff who can provide individualized assistance.”
A required element of operating a business is to have a current business license. Every year the City of Escondido receives nearly 1800 business license requests. People looking for a new business license or to renew an existing license can apply online using an easy step-by-step process or visit City Hall to complete their application or renewal in person. The Business License division has created a Business Resource Guide that walks new business owners through the process. It begins with a checklist that new applicants can follow to ensure they have worked through necessary City and State requirements.
The Business Resource Guide is available at the Economic Development Department and online.
Department Specialist Sylvia Atwan added that the Resource Guide is meant to help answer many questions that the department gets from new business owners when they are starting out. “We act as a one-stop-shop for them to get their business off the ground, and this Resource Guide will help them start out strong.”
It is a comprehensive guide that includes specific information on required forms, permit information, processing timelines, and other business resources, groups and associations that can be of value to starting a business. “The guide was also created to provide prospective business owners a way to navigate and understand the State, County and City requirements”, said Atwan.
Aside from helping businesses get started, the City has several online resources available to help businesses grow. Recently City staff hosted a digital marketing workshop that brought together a panel of business owners to share strategies for success. Three Escondido companies participated: ManzanitaRoasting, The San Diego Code School, and DayDream Makers Market and discussed web design, branding, hype marketing and more.
Escondido is one of the oldest incorporated cities in San Diego County, and is the fourth largest city by population. Even with its large size, it still maintains a small community feel and welcomes large, established businesses, small mom and pop shops, and everything in between.
“Every business is important to the City,” said Robert Van De Hey, Escondido’s Deputy City Manager/Director of Information Systems. “We support business establishment and growth by supplying information that can help owners understand demographics to know who their customers are so they can tailor their businesses towards that.”
Van De Hey explained how finding the right location for a business is essential and that he and his team work with new and existing business owners to find locations that best fit their needs. He also said that the City continues to improve existing locations such as the Escondido Creek Trail to help improve foot traffic and bring more customers to every location.
City staff have also been instrumental in helping new and current business owners navigate the pandemic while making sure that new business licenses could be delivered on time.
“We try to be very proactive in engaging with our business community,” said Van De Hey. “As the City changes, we reach out to our businesses to make sure they can take advantage of these changes and be successful.”
Because of Escondido’s diversity, it is the perfect location for retailers and businesses of all types. “The Mercado District looks very different from the Old Escondido Downtown District which is different from the South Side of Escondido or East Valley. That affords us the flexibility to accommodate big box stores and mom and pops. Our diversity makes us very unique and attractive to business owners,” said Axelrod.
Axelrod said she hopes businesses see City staff as a resource that can help steer them to success. “The key takeaway is that we are here to help.”
For more information about opening a business in Escondido, visit the business page.
For information on business updates/workforce, presentations, and Coronavirus updates, visit the business news page.