Thoughts on Small Business

Small business needs you. I'd argue even more so than during the shut down of COVID. Although that's like playing the game head or gut....neither is/was great. Why do we need you right now? Let's talk about the elephant in the room.

At this moment, we are experiencing the loss of the middle class. This is traditionally the people who hold up small business. We are seeing two extremes. Either people cannot even afford to eat or they are hoarding billions of dollars. The middle class, who pours so much money and life into our economy and who holds up small business, is dwindling.

In addition, tariffs are hurting us all. Regardless of the industry, if you are a small business you most likely are seeing your prices skyrocket . Without deep pockets and big bank accounts of hoarded money, prices have to increase. Increased prices cause consumers to look elsewhere, usually Amazon for comparable things for cheaper that they can have delivered for free or discounted to their door fast. I get it. We are all slave to Amazon in one way or another, but know, with each purchase, a small local business is losing out and Bezos is making money.

It has been so difficult for me personally to be advertising "buy me" when I am also watching my neighbors use the free fridge and pantry. It has seen its use grow exponentially in the past year. However, if small businesses are to remain and exist to further support things like the free fridge and pantry or other local initiatives, helping them is one of the most important things you can do today.

How can you help?
First you can attempt to seek out small businesses making the thing you want. It may take some time to find it. It will most likely be more expensive than the corporate thing you are hunting, but you will be supporting someone who is MAKING the thing. The extra time it takes to find, order and get your item matters a whole lot!

Second, if you are in a position where you cannot afford to shop, it's ok. Advertise for us. Tell people about your favorite small businesses. Post on FB sites when people ask for recommendations for things. Repost small business posts. Be the biggest cheerleader. Any small business will tell you that they work SO HARD at advertising, but the algorithms are always changing. What doesn't change is the more something is posted, the more people see it.

Third, another way to support small businesses if you can't afford to shop is ask if they need some help. Some small businesses would gladly barter products for help doing something. Us small business owners are overwhelmed trying to be all the things. A few volunteer hours help immensely and you can potentially get paid with your favorite item.

Fourth, if you can afford to shop small, remember to do so and do so often. If you've stopped shopping them for some reason, let them know why. Maybe you miss a certain product they carried but don't any more. Maybe they can do something to make shopping them more convenient. They don't know if you don't tell them and trust me, we want to know what you want.

Lastly, and this is most important..... This list is not just for the holiday season. This is a "from this moment on" call for help. Because while the holiday season makes or breaks most of us, we still have 11 months of the year we have to make payroll, pay taxes, buy product to make our product, employ your neighbors, feed our families, keep the lights on, etc. Your support keeps us in business.

xo
Danielle