What if YOU could save your town?

What happens if we DON'T #SupportLocal?

A Sensitive Topic

If we don't support local businesses, we risk losing them - and everything from local eats, to local events, to services and beyond vanish from our community. Without small business, the town begins to die.

I've heard a lot of feedback from business owners recently that has inspired a new Reel that will be posted on our Facebook page soon - and this blog post.

Read on to hear what business owners are saying, and to learn how YOU can do your part to save your town.

What Business Owners are Saying

Here, I'm going to give a few pieces of feedback I've heard from local business owners regarding community support:

1. "I give to local events, and then they don't thank my publicly or purchase from my business."

You might be thinking:  Publicity shouldn't be your reason to give! Supplies are cheaper elsewhere - we can't afford to buy from you!

The reality:  A business isn't giving to a cause JUST for publicity. They want to help and support you. BUT, positive publicity for a small business is extremely helpful, and it's FREE for you to give them a shout out on Facebook. The least you can do is say "Thank you" publicly so that others know the good that a small business is doing in the community.

This business gave financial support to you and operates a business in YOUR community. Yes, you can probably find a way to support them and utilize their goods and services in some way (dependent on the type of business, of course).

2. "People are choosing service providers from outside of the county when they could be supporting a neighbor and contributing to the local economy."

What you might be thinking:  I don't want everyone in town to know my business! And what if the people here don't know what they're doing?

The reality:  Responsible business owners in service industries have a moral and legal obligation to keep your business inquiries and transactions secure. Many local businesses have fantastic reputations when it comes to being trustworthy, and are just as qualified as someone from the city - maybe even more so, considering they know the local economy and what life looks like for small town people.

3. "People are constantly leaving town to eat at other restaurants. Why don't they eat in their local communities?"

What you might be thinking:  It's BORING to eat at my local places and I don't think there's enough variety.

The reality:  Supporting local doesn't mean staying in your community ALL the time. But, you CAN make a commitment to support a local restaurant on a regular schedule. For example, if you eat out 3 times per week, make at least one of those a local restaurant to ensure some of those dollars are staying in your community.

Supporting Local Saves Towns

What Can You Do?

1. Be a cheerleader for local businesses

Have a local business that’s always there when you need them? Tell everyone how great they are!

2. Look Local FIRST

Need something? A local business might just have it, and you’ve positively impacted that business AND your local economy by shopping in your community!

3. Consider the Economics

Local businesses put money BACK into your community that leads to: better roads, nice sidewalks, awesome parks, fun events, resources & amenities, and more.

4. THANK your local businesses

Did a local business donate to your event? THANK them publicly in every way that you can AND utilize their business if you can.

They supported you. Support them back.

5. Talk about it

Talk about the positive impact that supporting local has on communities - and what’s at stake if those businesses close up shop or take their skills elsewhere.

6. Be the solution

Each person who steps up and makes a commitment to shop local makes a difference.

All it takes is YOU to start a new trend and #SupportLocal.