Brooklyn Means Business

PicturePhoto credits: Eva Bronzini

May is Small Business Month, a time to celebrate and support the entrepreneurs who power our local economy. Brooklyn is home to over 70,000 small businesses, and its entrepreneurs have weathered crisis after crisis over the last 25 years—from the panic of 9/11, transit strikes, blackouts, the Great Recession, Hurricane Sandy, the COVID-19 pandemic, and, always, the unrelenting reality that the rent is too damn high.

Now, new challenges are adding to the weight: federal tariffs, threats to CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) funding, budget cuts, and an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Together, these pressures have created a constant state of fight-or-flight for many local businesses.

And yet—Brooklyn’s small business community continues to show remarkable strength and adaptability. According to the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s most recent Brooklyn Economic Snapshot, the borough experienced a 2% increase in small business development last year—the highest growth rate across all five boroughs, with 3,600 new businesses launched.

Still, the optimism is tempered by uncertainty. A recent survey conducted by BKReader found that 86% of small business owners fear they may have to close due to the turbulence of today’s economic climate.

So how do we move forward?  How can Brooklyn’s small businesses not only survive—but thrive?

And just as importantly: How can Brooklynites champion them?

Read on to find out ways Brooklyn business owners and local consumers can help small businesses flourish.

Support for Small Businesses

1. The Brooklyn Public Library’s Business & Career Center offers a wide range of free services to support small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Through weekly one-on-one counseling with the Pace SBDC, entrepreneurs receive expert guidance on business planning, financing, and marketing. The Business & Career Center also partners with the Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project (NELP) to offer free legal clinics on topics like contracts and intellectual property. Entrepreneurs can access powerful research tools, curated subject guides, and personalized support through the Book-A-Librarian service. The Business & Career Center is also home to the PowerUP Business Plan Competition, which awards cash prizes to Brooklyn-based startups. With dedicated co-working space, expert staff, and business-focused programming, the BCC is a vital resource for Brooklyn’s small business community.
    
2. The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce supports local businesses through networking, advocacy, MWBE assistance, economic data, and promotion via tools like the Brooklyn App.
    
3. The Brooklyn Women’s Business Center (BWBC) at LDCENY offers free counseling, workshops, and funding support tailored to women entrepreneurs and small business owners in Brooklyn.
    
4. SCORE NYC provides free mentorship and business workshops led by experienced professionals to help entrepreneurs start and grow their ventures.
    
5. Brooklyn Alliance Capital, a local CDFI, offers microloans and technical assistance to underserved small businesses in Brooklyn.
    
6. New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC) delivers free one-on-one business counseling and specialized support on topics like financial planning, legal structure, and exporting.
    
7. Brooklyn’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) offer hyper-local support, marketing, and grants for businesses within specific commercial corridors.
    
8. The NYC Small Business Resource Network connects small businesses with free expert help, recovery resources, and access to city grant programs.

How to Support Small Businesses

1. Shop Local: Choose independent retailers, restaurants, and service providers over big-box stores and chains. Use the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s Brooklyn Made and BE NYC’s Shop Black NYC directory to discover local brands and products. When dining out, opt for independent restaurants and cafés—platforms like LocalFood.nyc highlight neighborhood food spots and pop-ups. Need a gift? Visit Explore Brooklyn for curated guides to shopping, dining, and cultural experiences.
    
2. Get Social: Leave a positive review on Google, Yelp, or social media—it boosts visibility and builds credibility. Can’t spend today? Share their posts, tag friends, or join their mailing list. Follow Made in NYC and ShopIN.NYC to stay updated on local brands and support NYC makers online.
    
3. Show Up: Attend pop-up markets, street fairs, and cultural events hosted by small business owners. You can also explore neighborhood happenings through local Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and platforms like Explore Brooklyn and Eventbrite’s Brooklyn Small Business listings.
    
4. Advocate: Support policies that fund and protect small businesses, such as grants, tax relief, and streamlined regulations. Stay informed through organizations like the  Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Center, Small Business Majority, and NYC’s Department of Small Business Services (SBS), which offer updates on local initiatives and ways to get involved. You can also connect with your NYC Council Member to advocate for neighborhood-level small business support. 
    

Brooklyn’s small businesses are more than just places to shop—they are the heart of our neighborhoods, cultural anchors, and key drivers of economic opportunity. As we mark Small Business Month this May, let’s honor their resilience by investing in their future. Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking support or a neighbor looking to shop with intention, there are countless ways to take impactful action. Visit your local library, explore new businesses on your block, source local makers online, and speak up for policies that protect community entrepreneurship. When Brooklyn shows up for its small businesses, we all grow richer—together.

Citations

“Administration Budget Includes Devastating Cuts for Small Businesses.” Small Business Majority, 22 May 2025, https://smallbusinessmajority.org/press-release/administration-budget-includes-devastating-cuts-small-businesses. Accessed 22 May 2025.

Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. “Brooklyn Economic Snapshot Q4 2024.” Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, 2025, https://www.brooklynchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Q4-2024_Brooklyn-Economic-Snapshot.pdf. Accessed 22 May 2025.

Laterman, Kaya. “Tariffs Threaten Survival of Small Businesses in Brooklyn.” BKReader, BKReader, 6 May 2025, https://www.bkreader.com/featured-news/tariffs-threaten-survival-of-small-businesses-in-brooklyn-10619927. Accessed 22 May 2025.

Logan, Micah. “How Trump's Tariffs Impact Small Businesses And Entrepreneurs.” Forbes, 22 April 2025, https://www.forbes.com/sites/micahlogan/2025/04/22/the-impacts-of-tariffs-on-small-businesses-and-entrepreneurs/. Accessed 22 May 2025.

Sisson, Patrick. “Trump Order on CDFI Fund Risks Aid for Small Businesses, Housing.” Bloomberg, 7 April 2025, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-07/trump-order-on-cdfi-fund-puts-small-businesses-and-affordable-housing-at-risk. Accessed 22 April 2025.