10/ 01/ 2004
Being appointed to a governor’s task force allows this Seattle small-business owner to make a difference without having to campaign.
Kay Hirai is the least political person you’ve ever likely to meet, despite the fact she knows shortcuts to the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., and can get any state legislator on the phone in minutes.
But her involvement with state politics started on a sour note. In 1989, Hirai’s salon was torn down when the Seattle metro bus system built a tunnel through the area. Forced to relocate, a lot of Hirai’s small-business neighbors went out of business. She was able to move and start over, but not without much angst and litigation against the city.
Her perserverance earned Hirai an award from the mayor, and with that, an invitation to serve on the governor’s task force to examine how proposed legislation affects small business.
“It was really an education for me to find out how politics impacts small business,” says Hirai, whose Studio 904 salon (http://www.studio904.com) has expanded to a second location. “The more I became aware, the more I felt responsible to be involved.”
Almost 15 years later, Hirai is still the go-to person when legislators want a small-business perspective. She shudders thinking about the days when she was totally out of the loop.
“If you’re not watching out for what’s going on around you, you’re just a victim,” she says. “If I hadn’t been busy with my head buried in thesalon, I would have known about the metro bus tunnel project. I would have been ahead of the game.”
But as for throwing her own hat into the ring, “I have no interest,” she says. “I do this as a volunteer.”
Candidate Quiz
Before hopping on the campaign trail, ask yourself if you’re ready for life as a civil servant:
What are your motives?
As small-business owners pointed out in this story, don’t run for office for the networking opportunities only. Sure, you’ll meet lots of new people. But serving in local government is a lot of work. Make sure you have a true desire to improve your community. Otherwise, the long meetings will be boring.
Do you have a key manager?
There has to be someone to mind the shop while you’re at City Hall. Make sure you have a solid support system in place so your business won’t suffer.
Are you a team player?
It sounds like a silly question, but lots of small-business owners are used to being the sole decision maker. In government life, everything is done by committee. You have to enjoy working with others, even if they have different perspectives.
