PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Starting a business anywhere can be difficult. But business leaders have long complained about Philadelphia's red tape.
Jennifer Rodriguez of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce said, “Ease of doing business has consistently been one of our most important priorities if we want Philadelphia to be a thriving place for entrepreneurs. “It's said that,” he says.
Take Shelly Ray, for example. She owns Festique Accessories Boutique, located on her 22nd Street Business Corridor in North Philadelphia. But a few years ago, she had plans to open an ice cream shop in her neighborhood. But when she started the process, it all fell apart.
“It was just paperwork and food permits. They got rejected and then we had to wait. It was just a long process,” Ray said.
Former stand-up comedian Eileen Council Grant turned her side hustle of making fruit bouquets from her home into a full-time job, opening Platinum Fruit Creations near 27th and Girard streets a year and a half ago. However, she faced many challenges before opening the door.
“I thought I could come here and make fruit bouquets and sell them and move on with my life. That's not the case,” Council Grant said. “It was all red tape.”
Council Grant still keeps a binder of all the steps he had to go through to open a business in Philadelphia. From her licenses to inspections to paperwork and more, it's all in the book she keeps to help those looking to start a business.
“All of these things are very important to start a business. So we're keeping this because we want to help people,” Council Grant said.
Now city leaders are stepping in and trying to help people like Ray and Council Grant. On Monday, Mayor Sherrell Parker signed an executive order launching the PHL Open for Business initiative.
“We don't want them struggling to get licenses and permits and other administrative hurdles. We want them to be profitable,” Parker said.
City officials say the program aims to streamline the permitting and inspection process, remove unnecessary regulations and shorten timelines. The order also plans to rename the Department of Business Services the Mayor's Business Action Team and create a one-stop shop for business owners with questions or seeking guidance.
City Commerce Director Alba Martinez said the city has so far reviewed 95 licenses, permits and other hurdles business owners may face to find improvements. And they're launching this plan with a particular focus on food-related businesses, which they say require the most steps to open and stay open.
“Our large restaurants have to take 26 steps to open and operate,” Martinez said.
Jennifer Rodriguez, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, attended Monday's announcement to show her support. She says this process is one of her biggest complaints from businesses, noting that business owners can get answers from multiple agencies in her one place.
“L&I will be in consultation with the Department of Commerce, and it will be in consultation with the Department of Health. That way, there will be no complicated procedures, no moving from one department to another,” Rodriguez said. “Time and complexity means a lot of money for small businesses, so let's make starting and growing a business easier and more streamlined so it's not cumbersome and prohibitively expensive.”
Rodriguez said he supports the effort, but said the city's various chambers of commerce will act as “watchdogs” to ensure the program runs smoothly as city leaders expect. .
Councilwoman Grant was also present at the executive order signing in West Allegheny and hopes this plan will be a success for people like her. It also means she can put away the binder.
“There's no need to take this out unless they want to see it,” Council Grant said with a laugh.
But will Parker's announcement lead Ray to try again to open an ice cream shop in his neighborhood?
“Yes, by all means!” she said.
