Ten Ways to Support Local Small Businesses by Shannon Barnett – 2012
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, most businesses in the United States are small businesses. However, only half of newly opened small businesses survive for five years; the other half go out of business.
Today’s economic recession proves that it is more important than ever to support all local small businesses. When you purchase locally, you help strengthen your local economy which, in turn, strengthens the national economy.
Listed below are ten ways to support your local small businesses:
1. Use a family-owned dry cleaning service, instead of a chain service.
2. Whenever available, purchase your fruits and vegetables from local farmer’s markets instead of the chain grocery store.
3. Purchase handcrafted furniture, linens, clay pottery, etc. from local artisans.
4. Purchase clothing from local boutiques.
5. Eat at family-owned restaurants, instead of big chains.
6. Instead of Starbucks, go to a locally-owned coffee shop.
7. When available, purchase locally-made food products at your local grocery store. For example, beer, locally-roasted coffee beans, etc.
8. If you’re interested in biking, buy your bike from a locally-owned bike shop.
9. Purchase home decorations at local antique stores and furniture stores.
10. Go to a gym that is locally owned and not a large chain.
There are many other ways to support your local economy. The idea is to purchase as many goods and services as possible from businesses based in your locale. Yes, buying products from mom and pop shops can be more expensive, but the great thing about dealing with small businesses is you get an opportunity to negotiate a price; try doing that at a national chain store!
For help finding great locally-owned small businesses in your area, contact your local Better Business Bureau.
Shannon Barnett owns the site Careers in Criminal Justice (http://careersincriminaljustice.net/) In her spare time, she enjoys writing articles for various other sites on many topics of interest.
Ten Ways to Support Local Small Businesses was submitted by Shannon Barnett under my Guest Author program. I wish to thank Shannon for this article and I look forward to Shannon’s next submission.
~Pobept
