Yash Sharma: Empowering Small Businesses

Through my experience as an intern at the City of San Jose Office of Economic Development, I’ve gained a fresh perspective on how business skills directly impact government, non-profits, and community-driven organizations. While I’ve always associated business education with corporate strategy and private sector operations, working in the public sector has shown me how skills like project management, communication, and stakeholder coordination and management are just as necessary in supporting economic development, especially for small businesses. 

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the importance of interpersonal and communication skills, especially when working with diverse business owners. Many immigrant-owned businesses I’ve interacted with and language barriers make the grant process overwhelming. I’ve had to find ways to ensure clear, professional communication by simplifying complex administrative steps to business owners, translating key information, or even asking other associates to work with these small businesses to get my message across. The ability to adapt my communication style and build trust with business owners has been crucial in making sure they understand how to navigate the grant process and receive the support they need. 

Another key skill I’ve built is reassurance and relationship building. Many business owners are concerned about whether their grant money will arrive on time, mainly when relying on it for interior renovations or operational costs. I’ve learned to update them on their application status, explain expected processing times, and collaborate with the finance team to ensure timely payments. By keeping an open line of communication, I’ve been able to ease anxieties among small business owners, foster trust, and create a smoother experience for these business owners, helping them feel more confident about the process. 

Beyond project management of the storefront grant program and outreach to small businesses, this experience has reinforced the value of patience, empathy, and adaptability, which are just as important as any technical skill when working in a public service role or the corporate world. Learning more about the human side of economic development has made me more aware of the real impact that policy and administrative decisions have on small businesses, and these skills are something that I will carry forward in any role.