On behalf of the 50+ million members of the gig economy - freelancers, independent contractors, micro-business owners, self-employed:

As we all try to figure out how to prepare for the unknown, I beg you to lobby for help for freelancers, independent contractors, entrepreneurs, the millions of Americans working the "gig economy". According to research, they were over 50 million US gig workers in 2017 and freelancers contributed $1.87 trillion to the US economy in 2018.

There are no "employers" to pay us sick pay, and we don't qualify for unemployment.  Yet our paychecks have come to a screeching halt like much of the country. We have families to feed and bills to pay, too. Graphic designers, web developers, writers, artists, accountants, business owners, realtors, hair stylists, and so many others.

As the owner of CoCreate Lexington, a small coworking space, I have a front seat view to the panic of these amazing men and women who normally work 40-60+ hours a week, providing amazing services to the community, building their dream businesses and careers... while also trying to figure out what I am personally going to do to provide for my children and how I can keep CoCreate open for the community I serve.

Anytime I mention the struggles of many solopreneurs, micro-businesses, and the millions in the “gig economy,” I am directed to the SBA loan program. While this is a great program, many of us do not qualify for loans. Many of us have invested everything we have to start our businesses. We cannot prove our credit worthiness and ability to repay the loan or provide the necessary collateral. Like most new businesses, we have existing loans and debt, inconsistent cash flow, and are not yet quite profitable. A month ago, we were viable (yet new) businesses and did not qualify for SBA loans. Today we are struggling businesses in the midst of the pandemic and still do not qualify. For those businesses that do qualify, it will take time for the impact to be realized and the loans to be processed. Meanwhile, families must be fed, bills must be paid, and the struggle to stay in business continues.

As the politicians work on stimulus programs, please lobby for us - the independent workers, the micro-businesses, the solopreneurs, and the freelancers. Please ensure that we are included in any checks mailed to U.S. citizens. We file our taxes but may show little to no taxable income during the very beginning of our businesses. That does not mean we are not working or contributing to the economy.

Please lobby for any other programs that could aid us now.  We do not have a safety net but are a large and important part of the local economy.

For more statistics and information, visit https://cocreatelexington.com/helpforgigeconomy/

I would love to speak to someone more about how we can help protect the 36% of US workers who are all part of the gig economy or micro-business owners or just to tell you our stories. How can we help you help us?

Thank you for your time!

Kiri Rawson

Founder & Owner of CoCreate Lexington | Owner of KE Insights | Kiri@CoCreateLexington.com

Kati Horton

Co-Owner of CoCreate Lexington | Owner of Brave Direction Media & Lexington Mommy

Kati@CoCreateLexington.com

 

Honored to add Co-Sponsors:

 Iris Kavanagh and Laura Shook Guzman of Women Who Cowork and the Women Owned Collaborative Space Alliance