Why Small Business Owners Make Great Local Politicians
When you're running a small business, you don't have the luxury of ivory tower thinking. Every decision has real consequences. Every dollar spent matters. Every customer interaction shapes your reputation in the community. That's exactly the mindset we need more of in local government, and it's why small business owners often make the best local politicians.
Melissa hosting Makers & Shakers (one of DuPage’s biggest small business support events)
1. They Understand Real Economic Challenges
Small business owners don't theorize about economic policy: they live it every single day. When property taxes go up, they feel it immediately in their bottom line. When regulations change, they're the ones scrambling to comply while keeping their doors open.
This firsthand experience means they understand how government decisions ripple through the local economy. They know which policies actually help businesses thrive and which ones sound good on paper but create headaches in practice.
2. They're Personally Invested in Community Success
Unlike those who might see a position as a stepping stone, small business owners are rooted in their communities. Their success is directly tied to the health and prosperity of the neighborhoods they serve.
When a small business owner runs for local office, they're trying to protect and improve the place where they've built their livelihood. That creates a level of accountability you can't get from someone who's just passing through.
3. They Know How to Manage Budgets and Resources
Running a small business means making tough financial decisions every day. You learn quickly how to prioritize spending, find efficiencies, and get maximum value from limited resources.
These skills translate directly to government work. Small business owners understand that taxpayer money should be treated with the same care and scrutiny as their own business revenue. They're naturally inclined to ask the hard questions about spending and demand results.
4. They Create Jobs and Drive Economic Development
Small businesses create two-thirds of new jobs in our economy. Business owners understand what it takes to grow employment, attract investment, and build economic opportunity in a community.
When they're making policy decisions, they can think through the real-world impact on job creation and economic growth. They know which initiatives will actually move the needle and which ones are just feel-good measures.
5. They Understand the Real Impact of Regulation
Small business owners deal with government bureaucracy from every angle: permits, licenses, inspections, tax compliance, employment regulations. They've experienced firsthand which rules make sense and which ones create unnecessary barriers.
This perspective is invaluable when crafting new policies. A small business owner knows the difference between regulations that protect the public and red tape that stifles innovation and growth.
6. They Build Relationships and Solve Problems Daily
Running a small business means constantly building relationships: with customers, suppliers, employees, and other business owners. You learn how to listen, find common ground, and solve problems collaboratively.
These relationship-building skills are essential for effective local governance. Small business owners know how to bring different stakeholders together and find practical solutions that work for everyone.
7. They Understand What Communities Actually Need
Small business owners are embedded in their communities in a way that career politicians often aren't. They talk to customers every day, see the challenges families are facing, and understand what would actually make a difference in people's lives.
This ground-level perspective helps them focus on the issues that matter most to residents rather than getting caught up in political theater or ideological battles.
Why I (Melissa Villanueva) Will Be Great for DuPage County
All of these qualities are exactly what I'll bring to the DuPage County Board representing District 1's communities of Elmhurst, Addison, Bensenville, Roselle, Bloomingdale, Wood Dale, Medinah, Itasca, a sliver of Villa Park.
As the CEO of Brewpoint Coffee, I've spent years building a business that creates jobs and serves our community. I know what it's like to make payroll during tough times, navigate complex regulations, and work with local government to solve problems.
I serve on the Elmhurst Economic Development Commission (and formerly as an Entrepreneur In Residence for Innovation DuPage) because I believe in using my business experience to help our entire community thrive. I've seen how the right policies can unlock opportunity and how the wrong ones can hold back growth.
But my commitment goes beyond just business issues. I'm running because I want to ensure DuPage County is a place where everyone can build a good life: whether you're starting a family, running a business, or planning for retirement.
I'll bring the same practical problem-solving approach that's made my business successful to the challenges facing our county. No political games, no empty promises, but focused work on the issues that matter most to the families and businesses in our communities.
That's the difference a small business owner can make in local government. We're used to delivering results and going beyond talking about them. We understand that every tax dollar spent should create real value for the people who earned it.
I'm ready to bring that mindset to the DuPage County Board: and I hope you'll join me in building a stronger, more prosperous future for our communities.
Ready to learn more about my vision for DuPage County? Visit my website to see my full platform and find out how you can get involved in the campaign.
