Local journalists discuss their raw and real takes on the current state of entrepreneurship in San Francisco based on their original reporting.
Moderated by Owen Thomas (San Francisco Business Times) and in celebration of San Francisco Small Business Week 2025, this panel discusses the good, the bad and the ugly of starting and running a small business in our City by the Bay. Moving beyond reporting break-ins and lauding the opening of new spots, panelists Kevin Nguyen (San Francisco Standard), James Salazar (San Francisco Examiner), Laura Waxmann (San Francisco Chronicle) and Junyao Yang (Mission Local) share compelling stories that illustrate trends driving small business success and failure. Where individual entrepreneurs are limited to their own experiences and those of the peers in their network, this panel of journalists presents a full picture of the scene while interrogating the bureaucratic mechanisms and negative media coverage that drag down small business owners. Behind the byline we get to know our local journalists and their unique expertise on the topic of small business opportunity.
Presented in partnership by the library's Small Business Center and Magazines and Newspapers Center.
Owen Thomas is the Managing Editor of the San Francisco Business Times. With years of experience covering Bay Area business trends, including five years as Business Editor at the San Francisco Chronicle, Thomas brings expertise in the challenges and opportunities facing local entrepreneurs.
Kevin Nguyen is a Business Reporter at the San Francisco Standard. He previously covered commercial real estate and sports business for the American City Business Journals. He’s also written for the Sacramento Bee, the San Francisco Chronicle and the Guardian US.
James Salazar is the Neighborhoods & Culture Correspondent for the San Francisco Examiner, where he covers public transportation, the environment, and arts and culture. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of San Francisco and received the Dick Blake Award for Excellence in Student Journalism.
Laura Waxmann is a Business Reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle specializing in commercial real estate, development, retail and the future of downtown San Francisco. She has also written for the San Francisco Business Times, where she reported on the city's evolving real estate and economic landscape in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Junyao Yang is a California Local News Fellow at Mission Local, focusing on data-driven storytelling and reporting on small businesses. Yang holds a Master's degree from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.
San Francisco Small Business Week was started in 2004 by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Running from May 5-9, 2025, the weeklong celebration shines a spotlight on the heartbeat of our city – its small businesses. With a variety of exciting events, workshops and networking opportunities, it's a chance for local entrepreneurs to connect, learn and thrive. The 21st annual event is hosted by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and the San Francisco Public Library is proud to partner for another successful year of learning and networking between small business owners, employees and customers alike.
Connect
Owen Thomas – San Francisco Business Times | Owen Thomas - LinkedIn | Owen Thomas – Muck Rack
Kevin V. Nguyen – San Francisco Standard | Kevin V. Nguyen – LinkedIn | Kevin V. Nguyen – Muck Rack
James Salazar - San Francisco Examiner | James Salazar - LinkedIn | James Salazar - Muck Rack
Laura Waxmann - San Francisco Chronicle | Laura Waxmann - LinkedIn | Laura Waxmann - Muck Rack
Junyao Yang - Mission Local | Junyao Yang - LinkedIn | Junyao Yang - Muck Rack
LOCATION:Main Library - Koret Auditorium CLASS:PUBLIC TRANSP:TRANSPARENT END:VEVENT BEGIN:VALARM TRIGGER:-PT1440M ACTION:DISPLAY DESCRIPTION:Event Reminder - Panel: Behind the Byline: The State of Small Business in San Francisco END:VALARM END:VCALENDAR