A new online service launched in Seattle on Thursday has a goal of bringing together small businesses so they can share resources and cut down on crime. Townsquared in Seattle is a network of more than 400 local businesses that can post on a single website that allows owners to let others know when they hear of a crime in the area or if they need help with a business item.
"Townsquared is a network for businesses in the same community to talk about crime and safety, local resources, essentially help each other be more successful," founder Nipul Patel said. "They want to help each other be more successful. They recognize that Seattle is changing rapidly and for a small business owner that means a lot of new risks for them to either succeed or face issues. Collectively they can work together to answer each other's questions, help each other out and really work together to address the changes that are happening in Seattle in general."
Morning Glory Chai in Greenwood is one of the hundreds of businesses who are taking part. Right now the community is currently active in Capitol Hill, Pioneer Square, Ballard, Fremont, and Phinney Ridge and Greenwood.
"Small business is a collaborative art form in its very nature. None of us can exist as an island. We all depend on each other as customers, as employees, as vendors," Morning Glory Chai's owner Jessica Vidican-Neisius said. "Having this collaborative forum where we can share ideas, and alert each other to things going on, whether it's zoning, new development, whether it's older businesses looking to re-locate and looking for new space, I think it's an immensely valuable tool for that."
If you are a Seattle small business owner interested in the service you can find more information on townsquared.com.
