Economic Gardening
Testimonials, What people say about us
“The way you organize findings is outstanding. It is a quick read and easy to move to a format for discussion with clients. The clients who have requested research all feel the results have been hard hitting and impactful to successfully navigating the opportunities and business challenges they have. Several have gained the confidence from having the research to venture forward on projects they would not have without the key business information you provided.”
-Dave Young, Lead Business Advisor
Seattle Small Business Development Center
“The ease of submitting requests to the Research Center, the quality of the research they produce and the speed of the turn-around has enabled me to amaze our clients to a degree not ever achieved by our previous source of business research.
In one example, the Research Center provided a client contemplating where to locate a second office of his medical practice with information that correlated the locations of similar practices with population data. The Center’s research team identified and described an area that appeared to be underserved. The client was most appreciative and it now appears that the new office will indeed be located within the identified area.
The excellent research service that we were able to provide this client means that he is more likely to hold our SBDC center in high regard, which will, in turn, enable us to help him continue to grow his practice in other ways in the future.”
-Zev Siegl, Lead Business Advisor
Small Business Development Center
Highline Community College
“With the help of the WWU’s Center for Economic Vitality’s Economic Gardening Program, I am able to assist clients more efficiently. Knowing the market is the first big question of any business venture’s feasibility. The information I get from the Research Center enables me to serve my client more completely too.”
-Allan Peterson, Certified Business Advisor
Small Business Development Center
Big Bend Community College
“We are so pleased to be able to offer our businesses and agencies the services of the Research Center. We have utilized the economic gardening approach several times with confidence that the researchers are thorough, professional, and timely.”
-Linda Rotmark, Executive Director
Clallam Economic Development Council, Port Angeles
"I have utilized your research services for my SBDC clients a number of times. My clients are often extremely impressed with the thoroughness and relevancy of the material provided in response to their request. It usually represents information that they were unable to access or find themselves. My clients reside in a rural part of Washington state and some of them don't even have access to high-speed internet, making it all the more difficult for them to do Internet research themselves. In some instances, the research report information made the difference in whether or not to move forward with starting their business."
-Lew Blakeney, Certified Business Advisor
SBDC for Okanogan County, WA
“Small businesses make up 99% of our state’s economy. Our investment in the Research Center at WWU and their Economic Gardening Program provides the information and technical assistance to meet the needs of our small businesses in every community across the state.”
-State Representative Kelli Linville
42nd District
State of Washington
“On behalf of my clients who have received market research data from the WWU
Research Center would like to express how helpful the information provided has been to
these business owners. In each case the ability to deliver to clients’ information about the
business sector has aided in confirming and giving creditability to the marketing section
of their business plans. Having more reliable third party market research has also helped
to support assumptions for financial projections and therefore acceptance of those
projections by loan officers. I look forward to working with your team on many more client cases.”
-James Fletcher, MBA, CBA
Wenatchee Office, SBDC
“Our organization has had extremely positive client response to the research materials gathered by the CEV. The data provided has been instrumental in building business plans and in determining feasibility and probability of success for the small business owners we serve. We have submitted 10 requests on behalf of our clients and have received exceptionally detailed and pertinent data back. This is a valuable tool that we are fortunate to be able to provide to clients. The CEV’s staff is responsive, friendly and always willing to help.”
-Annie Agars, Office Manager
Economic Development Group of Kittitas County
The Center of Economic Vitality has provided members of the Renton Chamber of Commerce vital research to help their business stay afloat and be competitive in this economy. The research provided by the CEV, allows our businesses to make educated decisions on expansion and development. The service is especially valuable to new businesses and start-ups.
-CEO, Greater Renton Chamber of Commerce