About

A Fair Shot.

Main Street Alliance (MSA) champions Main Street voices to create a thriving economy. We cultivate a network of entrepreneurs and Main Street advocates, connecting them with resources to build sustainable enterprises and uplift their communities. Our membership drives state and federal policymaking that gives a fair shot to small businesses and strengthens local economies nationwide.

Policy is just the beginning. Main Street Action takes the next step—organizing small business owners to defend our values at the ballot box and beyond.

The America We envision

We envision an America where Main Street champions are more than economic players—they are a powerful force shaping the future.

In our vision, Main Street thrives because entrepreneurs don’t just run businesses—they build communities, drive innovation, and lead the fight for a fair economy.

We see a future where:

  • Entrepreneurs share knowledge and power, strengthening each other through collective action.

  • Main Street champions set the economic agenda, ensuring policies reflect the realities of Main Street—not just Wall Street.

  • Every business—from sole proprietors to growing enterprises—has a seat at the table, shaping a marketplace that is competitive, sustainable, and just.

Building Power.       
Defending Democracy.

Main Street Alliance was founded in 2008 by small business owners who saw a system stacked against them.

From Maine to Washington, they organized—not as lobbyists, but as entrepreneurs working together to shape a more just and inclusive economy. Their first focus? Health care. They made sure small business voices were part of the national conversation, helping advance historic reforms like the Affordable Care Act.

  • When the 2008 financial crisis hit, we turned economic hardship into a movement. We built a grassroots network of small business owners, invested in local leadership, and provided the tools for entrepreneurs to advocate for their communities.

    That foundation proved essential in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic pushed Main Street to the brink again. Our members took action to educate lawmakers about small business needs and helped secure federal relief that kept storefronts open and workers employed. In Wisconsin, small business advocates helped drive one of the strongest per capita investments in the country.

    But our work doesn’t end in crisis. Across the country, we continue to advance policies that build stronger local economies. In 2023, small business leaders in Minnesota played a key role in the passage of statewide paid family and medical leave—proving that entrepreneurs want policies that support their workers and strengthen their bottom lines.

    From Wisconsin to Pennsylvania, we’re mobilizing Main Street in the states where policy fights aren’t just local—they set the stage for national change.

    • We Win Big: From fighting for the Affordable Care Act to securing billions in small business relief during COVID-19, our network delivers real results.

    • We Take the Fight to the States: We know change starts locally. In Minnesota, our members fought for paid leave—and won. In Wisconsin, MSA members helped secure the largest per-capita small business aid package in the nation.

    • We Mobilize, Washington Listens: We focus our base-building in electorally competitive states—where small business voices can tip the balance in policy battles and elections.

    • We Build Power, Not Just Policy: We connect business owners with the tools, knowledge, and networks to advocate for themselves—whether that means calling their reps, organizing rallies, or making their own businesses stronger.

Why We Organize

For too long, we’ve lied to small business owners—telling them that all it takes to succeed is grit, hustle, and a good accountant.

But that myth ignores a deeper truth: there are structural barriers baked into our economy that make it harder to start and sustain a small business. From monopolistic pricing to tax codes rigged for the biggest players, policy—not just perseverance—shapes who gets to survive on Main Street.

That’s why Main Street Alliance doesn’t just offer technical assistance—we organize. We empower small business owners to fight for the policies that restore real competition, level the playing field, and reinvest in the communities they call home.

With more than 16 years of experience building small business networks, we know that real success comes from solidarity, not isolation. Our approach is rooted in research, peer connection, and collective action—because thriving businesses need more than advice. They need a fair economy.

  • We’re not just another business group—we’re a movement. We organize, mobilize, and turn small business power into real-world change. Here’s how:

    We listen—and we act. Through internal polling and direct outreach, we tap into what entrepreneurs actually need—not what corporate lobbyists think they need.

    We transform small businesses into power hubs. Our members don’t just run businesses—they build communities. We help them turn their spaces into organizing centers where local economies and democracy thrive.

    We train entrepreneurs to lead. Whether it’s advocacy, business growth, or policy fights, we equip small business owners with the tools to take charge—on Main Street and in the halls of power.

    We build deep connections. Through dynamic events and coalitions, we bring business owners, community leaders, and elected officials together to turn shared challenges into collective action.

    We turn knowledge into power. Peer-to-peer learning and access to critical resources ensure that every entrepreneur—no matter their size or background—has a fair shot at success.

    We mobilize online and offline. Our high-impact digital advocacy unites thousands of small business owners to fight for an economy that works for us, not just for Wall Street.

At Main Street Alliance, we believe small business owners are among the most trusted messengers in America—and some of the most overlooked voices in policymaking. They’re not just employers or entrepreneurs; they’re civic anchors, community problem-solvers, and powerful advocates for a fairer economy.

But no single story can capture the full picture of Main Street. That’s why we’re committed to building a diverse, multiracial coalition of small business leaders from all walks of life—because the best policies are shaped by those who live the reality. When we uplift a wide range of voices, we ensure that the policies meant to strengthen local economies actually reflect the people and places they’re meant to serve.

At MSA, we don’t just connect small business owners to each other—we connect them to power. Through organizing, policy education, and strategic collaboration, we’re creating a future where Main Street sets the agenda, not just reacts to it.

The Power of Main Street Voices 

Team

Staff

  • Richard Trent

    Executive Director

  • Shawn Phetteplace

    Campaigns Director

  • Lauren Bealore

    Policy & Organizing Strategist

  • Daniela Mrabti

    Comms Consultant - Mori Strategies

  • Chris Collins

    Deputy Director

  • Yash Mori

    Senior Advisor - Mori Strategies

Board

  • Molly Weston Williamson

    Sr. Fellow, Center for American Progress

  • Michelle Tressler

    Co-owner, Hinterland Brewery & Restaurant

  • Thomas Lee Johnson

    CEO and Founder, Agile Immersive

  • J. Kelly Conklin

    Board Treasurer, Foley Waite Associates

  • David Borris

    Board President, Hel’s Kitchen Catering

Supporters