Our story
Supporting small businesses should be easy.
Here’s why we built Byztopia — and what keeps us going.
How it started
During the initial COVID-19 shutdowns, I watched people on social media scrambling to find ways to support local shops, restaurants, and makers. It was inspiring to see the outpouring of love for small businesses — but I couldn’t help but wonder, why isn’t there a better way to discover and support them all in one place? That question became the seed of Byztopia.
Where the passion comes from
My passion for small business started long before the pandemic. I grew up in Ellensburg, Washington, working alongside my dad in our family’s automotive shop. That experience instilled in me a deep appreciation for entrepreneurship, community, and the grit it takes to build something of your own. I knew early on that I wanted to dedicate my life to helping small businesses thrive.
The problem we’re solving
When someone searches for a plumber, a boutique, or a wedding photographer online, the results are dominated by large retailers, aggregators, and paid ads. Independent small businesses — the ones with real people behind them — get buried. Byztopia exists to fix that. We’re a national small business search engine built to surface only verified independents, so consumers who want to support small businesses can actually find them, anywhere in the country.
The person behind it
Outside of Byztopia, I’m a family man with three kids, a love for gardening (especially fresh veggies), playing guitar, and racing motorcycles. These passions keep me grounded and remind me why community matters — it’s about connection, balance, and creating something lasting for the next generation.
in the happy place.
Our commitment to transparency
Most platforms keep their financials behind closed doors. We don’t think that’s right. Every quarter, we’ll publish an open report showing exactly where Byztopia’s money goes — no spin, no vague summaries. That means revenue, what Joe takes home as a salary, and every dollar donated to causes we support. If you’re going to trust us with your business listing or your search, you deserve to know we’re operating with integrity.
Revenue
Published quarterly
Founder salary
Published quarterly
Charitable giving
Published quarterly
Byztopia is more than just a directory — it’s a community where discovery meets small business, built on trust, transparency, and the belief that together, we can grow stronger.
— Joe Heath, Founder of Byztopia
Find a small business. Or list your own.
Every search on Byztopia surfaces only verified independents.