I asked: “Why chase businesses for recruitment when you can grow your own?”

My first attempt—many years ago-- was clumsy as I identified entrepreneurs by running a well-publicized workshop in conjunction with a local business.  I hired a dynamic speaker, had a room full of interested potential entrepreneurs and then asked—NOW WHAT?  I had a packed room of people energized and ready to go and a list of names---and I had no formalized approach to get them into storefronts!!

I was frustrated because this was in the early days of the incubator movement where emerging technologies were being “incubated” formally in cities across the country. Every community wanted an emerging technology incubator.  As I traveled the country, that was all economic development people could talk about—INCUBATORS! 

In fact, the incubator movement—except in downtowns—is stronger than ever.

I was perplexed as to why we couldn’t also tap into that same entrepreneurial energy in downtowns.  Sure a clothing store, a book store, a five and dime or another independent business isn’t as sexy as the latest technology—but in this era of unchecked sprawl, these independent businesses provide a unique sense of community and provide much needed character to a downtown.   We fight, as lovers of downtowns, against “encroaching sameness” every day—from big box retailers to strip centers.  It will be the creative, risk-taking entrepreneurs who will infuse a sense of dynamism into a community—not another dollar store or fast food restaurant.

I was running a public/private economic development partnership in Quincy, Massachusetts in the mid-1990’s when I said enough is enough—I’m going to try this entrepreneurship development  approach for our downtown and commercial districts.  I read everything I could get my hands on, studied other programs, talked to entrepreneurship experts and structured a program that drew national attention.  The loan program we developed to accompany the program remains the most creative in New England…if not the Northeast.

Oh sure, we made some mistakes, and we learned along the way, but overall the program was a success and formed the foundation for my interest in revitalizing downtowns through entrepreneurship!  I left Quincy, but my interest in downtown entrepreneurship heightened—I knew I was on to something.

In the best American tradition of Jack Kerouac, John Steinbeck and others, I hit the road and traveled the country to see first hand how entrepreneurship was working in our downtowns.  I knew the technical side cold—the training, loan programs, federal, state and local incentives, and I saw first hand the fine line between success and failure in a start-up venture. 

What I really wanted to learn was the spirit that drove some people to risk it all and invest not just in a business—but a downtown business.  I spent years listening, learning, honing my skills and more than anything, drawing inspiration from the people who had the guts to invest in the fabric of the community.  I also learned what works and what doesn’t—period.

I have become a walking encyclopedia on downtown entrepreneurship (which means you should avoid me at cocktail parties!) and I want to share that knowledge because I love downtowns and I love the excitement of entrepreneurial activity.

I threw myself into learning about how we train entrepreneurs and grow businesses in this country.  I worked through the hodgepodge of federal and state programs and saw that any community could grow new downtown businesses.  I traveled the country looking at entrepreneurial success stories and became more convinced than ever that a community’s fate is in its own hands.  Business recruitment is fine—but growing new businesses—that’s innovative, bold and creative.  If downtown people need to be anything, it is innovative, bold and creative.

The Downtown Entrepreneurship Project is a start-up itself, albeit one with years of accumulated knowledge behind it. Again, in short, I know what works and what doesn't.  I have learned from the mistakes of daring entrepreneurs and been inspired by successful downtown business people who made it against the odds. It will be interesting to see how the Downtown Entrepreneurship Project unfolds—will it become a “think tank,” a consulting practice, a clearing-house of information on growing downtown businesses—or all of these? 

I have been inspired by countless urban and downtown revitalization visionaries who had the guts to chart a new course for our communities and to say, and in some cases scream-- the old way wasn’t working.  Many I have never met, but I owe them a debt of gratitude.  I am talking about some of the transcendent urban thinkers of our time, people like: the late Jane Jacobs, Jim Kunstler, Richard Florida, Roberta Brandes Gratz, Neil Pierce, Carol Coletta, Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Peter Calthorpe, Stacy Mitchell, Alex Marshall, Richard Moe, William Hudnut, Dan Burden, Pierre Clavel, Paul Grogan, Jane Holtz Kay and many others.  It was these people and many like them who gave me the inspiration to tenaciously seek a solution to the problem of stagnant business climates in too many of our city centers. 

So please join me on this journey to spark entrepreneurship in our downtowns. I welcome your input, your advice and your support.  It should be an interesting ride.

Interview with Charles “Chuck” D’Aprix Founder, the Downtown Entrepreneurship Project (Reprinted 2006 with Permission of SRG)

SRG: What is the Downtown Entrepreneurship Project?

D’Aprix:  The Downtown Entrepreneurship Project is a program designed to help downtowns attract, nurture and grow new businesses.  It’s meant to help downtowns fill storefronts with businesses.  We are an entrepreneurial society for crying out loud.  We just need to tap into that creative energy—that desire for independence.  At the Downtown Entrepreneurship Project that’s what we do!

SRG: But aren’t downtowns doing better than ever in attracting new businesses?

D’Aprix: NO.  That’s the perception. People who run downtown revitalization programs will tell you that it’s the bane of their existence to have to go out and try to “lure in” new businesses.  Sometimes it’s a second location of an existing business, sometimes it’s a small chain, sometimes it’s an undesirable business.  WE SAY ENOUGH.  TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR FUTURE AND “HOME GROW” YOUR OWN BUSINESSES.

DON’T WAIT FOR SOME BUSINESS OWNER TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO—MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN!

SRG: HOW?

D’Aprix: The Downtown Entrepreneurship Project is all about action. We provide several programs to help downtowns attract, nurture and grow entrepreneurs.  We can identify potential business owners, we can train entrepreneurs, we can help them find financing, we can provide ongoing support—but just as important we can train the local leadership to continue the effort.  There are so many people who would love to own a business—it’s just a matter of finding them, screening them, training them and providing ongoing support.   It is so much easier than begging some business to come to your community. A downtown can be in charge of its own future.  But the downtown leaders have to be ready for the commitment.  It’s not a walk in the park—but the rewards are worth it! 

SRG: Why did you start the Downtown Entrepreneurship Project?

D’Aprix:  Easy.  I was a Main Street Manager, and ran several public/private economic development agencies.  It was tough—damned tough to get a business to relocate—but to grow a brand new one—that was easier. I tried my theory out in one community with fairly good success.  I then spent years in the real world, traveling the country talking to successful downtown entrepreneurs—I even studied the subject at the graduate level.  It is more clear now than ever before—if a downtown wants to truly take control of its destiny—it needs to take control of its entrepreneurial future—no matter how big or small the community.  I will never forget walking down the street in a downtown I was managing and being asked by 6 or 7 people “any new businesses yet?”  I knew then that the bar was unrealistically high and I had to take control of the situation—that I needed to augment my business recruitment efforts with something more—something entrepreneurial.

SRG: How much does the Downtown Entrepreneurship Project cost?

SRG: What about Incubators?

SRG: You have been called a maverick—in fact you’ve called yourself a maverick.

D’Aprix:  Well if a maverick means seeking innovation, being intellectually honest and being creative---then I am a maverick.  When it comes to downtown business growth, I cringe every time I hear someone talk about “luring” a business to their downtown.  Don’t be dependent, use the Downtown Entrepreneurship Project and grown your own.

SRG: What about downtown entertainment centers, or outdoor downtown malls or new town centers?   They tend to use national chains.

D’Aprix:  Yes they do.  But studies show that a mix of national and local businesses maximizes sales.  What better way to get local flavor than with “home grown” businesses.  Mall and town center developers can very easily use our services—and be better off for it.                                                     

SRG: Any final thoughts?

D’Aprix: Yes, we live in an innovative, creative culture. Let’s take that independent spirit and funnel it into our downtown and other commercial districts.  It will create better downtowns and better communities—and ultimately a better quality of life.