Making a Living While Making a Life: The Power of Microbusinesses with Etsy and GoDaddy

Navigating Our World

Microbusinesses are becoming a way of life for more and more people; these very small businesses are often sole proprietorships or have just a few employees, yet can provide meaningful household income for millions of people. Digital platforms make many of these businesses possible, and companies like Etsy and GoDaddy have been an essential backbone for microbusinesses, especially during the pandemic (Etsy sellers contributed $13 billion and almost 3 million jobs to the economy last year).

For this NOW episode, Brown Advisory technology analyst and portfolio manager Emmy Wachtmeister sat down with Althea Erickson, VP of Global Public Policy & Impact at Etsy, and Alex Rosen, Director of GoDaddy's Venture Forward project, to discuss the evolution of microbusinesses, and what they mean for the growth and resilience of our communities. Later, David Powell, co-portfolio manager of Brown Advisory's Large-Cap Sustainable Growth strategy, joined Emmy to discuss takeaways for investors (36:18).

Guests:
Althea Erickson
Vice President, Global Public Policy & Impact, Etsy

Alex Rosen
Venture Forward Director, GoDaddy

Host:
Emmy Wachtmeister, CFA
Equity Research Analyst, Brown Advisory

Investment Commentary:
David Powell, CFA

Portfolio Manager, Brown Advisory

Background Reading

• Venture Forward Report, Fall 2020
• How Microbusinesses Have Blunted the Impact of COVID-19, GoDaddy, July 28, 2020
• Fabric of Their Lives, Smithsonian Magazine, October 2006
• Gee's Bend Quiltmakers, Souls Grown Deep

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The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Brown Advisory. These views are not intended to be and should not be relied upon as investment advice and are not intended to be a forecast of future events or a guarantee of future results. The information provided in this podcast is not intended to be and should not be considered a recommendation or suggestion to engage in or refrain from a particular course of action or to make or hold a particular investment or pursue a particular investment strategy, including whether or not to buy, sell, or hold any of the securities mentioned. It should not be assumed that investments in such securities have been or will be profitable. There is a risk that some or all of the capital invested in any such securities may be lost. This piece is intended solely for our clients and prospective clients, is for informational purposes only, and is not individually tailored for or directed to any particular client or prospective client.