Okay google… “importance of local businesses” *looks at drop down menu*
‘Why local businesses are important’
There we go! I like where this is going.
Right at the top of the page:
“Small businesses are important because they provide opportunities for entrepreneurs and create meaningful jobs with greater job satisfaction than positions with larger, traditional companies. They foster local economies, keeping money close to home and supporting neighborhoods and communities.”
Wow.
That was easy. That about sums it up.
Should I continue? Probably.
Let’s analyze this.
First, local businesses provide opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Don’t we all have a dream job?
Mine as a kid was to own a restaurant- specifically, a pizza place. I love pizza, what can I say.
The sauce, the cheese, the ovens. *makes chef kiss noise*
Unfortunately, in my age, it now gives me agita… but we’ll cover that some other time.
Basically, according to Google, supporting local business gives people the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Didn’t Roxy always want a music store? Oliver always wanted to make chocolate? Max Pies always wanted to sell furniture, that’s for sure.
Adam Miller liked toys and Eli wanted to Fish. Okay too obscure… but you get what I’m saying.
Supporting local business gives us the opportunity to put our mark on the business world. It allows local business owners to express their creativity and business savvy in a way that doesn’t involve working for Walmart.
At the end of the day do you think crunching numbers for a billionaire dollar company is anywhere near as satisfying as stocking the shelves at your own establishment? I doubt it.
As a consumer, we also have the unique opportunity to improve our own communities.
Specialty retail, service businesses, entertainment options, restaurants and cafes – all of these and more can be influenced by us and where we choose to shop.
Want more vegan options? Support Eden Café.
Want more holistic medicine? Support Empire Hemp.
Want to throw some axes?! Support Game of Throws (it’s in the Harvester for anyone wondering).
We all want something new and exciting in our community. In order for this to happen we have to be the first people there when it opens!
Even a simple share on social media, or a review on google, helps get these places off the ground.
We should do anything we can as a local person to give the business owner confidence that 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆.
Showing this type of support to someone who decided to risk it all and open up shop inspires others who never thought they could.
All of a sudden that mentality of “things will never change”, starts to diminish. And someone says “Look at them.” “Look at this.” “Things are changing, things are improving.”
With the renewed focus on nationalism that Covid has brought to us, maybe it’s time to support the American Dream like we do on Facebook.
We all hate Jeff Bezos, right?
Let’s get back at ‘em by spending our money in this community. Let’s make our local business communities thrive.
Creating a strong local business network in turn improves the quality of life in the community.
Successful local business owners will always want to give back to their community.
Whether that be through community events, sponsorships, donations, public works, etc.
This kind of support for local non-profits, local initiatives, local communities, all improves quality of life.
We as a county-wide community owe it to ourselves to go against the grain of “failing communities in WNY”.
All we hear about is how Upstate and Western New York are failing. People are leaving, businesses are closing.
Let’s make our community something we can be proud of.
We have some of the largest tourist attractions in our region. We have some of the largest farms in the entire USA. Hundreds of restaurants, thousands of small businesses, and of course one haunted asylum.
Take the one extra second to shop local and see the effect it has on this community.
Your own public service announcement from The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.