As a small business owner, I can honestly say that every dollar counts. That includes dollars coming in and dollars going out. Unfortunately, a lot of small businesses and new, small start-ups don’t make it. It’s unfortunate because small businesses employ individuals, innovate the marketplace, build community, and provide a space for people who want personalized attention.
City Girl Savings is a small business, and because of that, I can offer custom services and 1-on-1 coaching to ensure people who need that kind of support have it. I also employ women, on a part-time basis, which puts extra money into the economy. Small businesses need support just like major corporations. Check out 5 reasons to support small businesses and help them stay alive.
5 Reasons to Support Small Businesses
#1 Your support (financial or not) goes a lot further
When it comes to supporting small businesses, the support comes in all different ways. Obviously, the most impactful support is financial – purchasing a product or hiring out a service. However, with small businesses, word of mouth marketing and referrals make a huge difference in the success of that business.
If you’ve found a small business you love, or a freelance coach or consultant you resonate with, support them by following their social media accounts, sharing their information with friends, taking advantage of events and giveaways, or leaving a review. Those forms of support can help catapult the business or business owner in the right direction.
#2 Help keep the environment healthy
A local small business tends to make more local purchases, which requires less transportation. Less transportation means less pollution and congestion, less traffic overall, less habitat loss and less resource depletion.
Most small business owners are also more cognizant of the health of the environment, because they don’t need as many resources as a company who needs a new Fulfillment center. Support small businesses and you support the health of the environment!
#3 Promote the American Dream
Let’s be real…starting a small business takes courage! To open doors, to offer solutions, to cater to specific people…all at the risk of things not working out, financially or otherwise, is not something everyone can do. When you support small businesses, you support someone’s literal dream.
Take me, for example. My dream is City Girl Savings. My purpose is to help women succeed financially. Every sale, every follower, every newsletter subscriber, every review helps keep my dream alive and keep my business running.
#4 Give back to local communities
Did you know that an NBC News study found that “small businesses donate 250% more than large businesses to local nonprofits and community causes, creating a positive cycle of giving back locally. This includes local charities, youth organizations, local first responders and more”.
When you support a small business, you’re supporting the local community of that small business. That’s how we can make an impact on the world!
#5 Know you made a true impact
Speaking of making an impact on the world…when you support a small business, your contribution has a direct influence on the success of that business. When you buy something from Amazon, you’re one in 100 million. When you buy something from a small business, you’re one in 100…or less! That means your dollars have a significant impact on the success of that business. Your contribution helps them keep the doors open longer.
Related: 5 Ways to Find Motivation to Start Your Side Hustle
Small businesses are just as important as Target, Amazon, and Wal-Mart, so make it a point to support them when you can. Support doesn’t just have to look like money either! Sharing small businesses with friends and family, leaving positive reviews, and following small businesses on social media can help them thrive!
Do you support small businesses? Whether yes or no, what’s your reasoning? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so drop a comment below to share!
-Raya
The CGS Team
