Small business, BIG dreams. 5 reasons why you should #shoplocal!

In honor of Small Business Saturday, we are giving you 5 reasons why you should shop at your local small business. To you, that little restaurant around the corner from your home or work may be just another building on your daily commute but to the owners, it’s their dream actualized. A small business owner is someone who made the great leap to make their vision a reality. When you shop at your local small business, you are sending the message that you support their vision and the service they provide. The money you spend at that establishment is the very thing that keeps the dream alive. Here are five reasons why you should think big, by shopping small in your community:

1. You create a smaller carbon footprint.

Let’s face it, global warming is a very real thing that continues to have adverse effects on the world we live in today. The number one way to help preserve it for the future generation is to decrease your carbon footprint. If you don’t want to make a drastic change such as becoming vegan, you can start small by shopping small. Instead of ordering what you need online, and having it shipped across the world, you can find it in your community! Reducing your environmental impact, while increasing your community impact.

Challenge: For the next 5 things you need, before going straight to an online retailer, research local businesses that have what you’re looking for in stock. You’ll be able to get your items right away, instead of having to wait 2-3 business days for shipping (and pay more).

2. You help to stimulate your local economy.

When you shop in your community, the money you spend is kept within the local economy. Small business owners often shop locally as well, which means the money continues to circulate and cause growth for everyone involved. What you put out into your local community, it will come back to you tenfold.

3. Local business owners invest in the community.

More often than not, local business owners readily give back to the community that they are in. Whether it be sponsoring local sports teams, schools or events, to simply offering a discount to members of the community. By shopping at the small business around the corner, you indirectly make an investment towards the enhancement of your community.

4. You enable more jobs to be created.

Local small businesses do not operate themselves! They create jobs for members of that community and they often pay better wages than the larger chain corporations. More local jobs can lead to a better quality of life for everyone in your community. Help spread the wealth by supporting local and your fellow community members.

5. Your voice matters and is heard.

When you walk into a small business, you are seen as a person instead of a dollar sign. It is not unusual for you to meet and chat with the owners. You are respected and your opinion is valued. If you need any help, they will go out of their way to ensure you get exactly what you're looking for - and more!

Shopping at your local small business is important, but supporting them is just as crucial. How can you support them? Keep doing what you’re doing this very second. Engaging with online content! A like, comment and share goes a long way for spreading the word about a local business. They may not have anything you would want or need to buy, but someone on your timeline might be on the hunt for their products.

Remember when you make a purchase from a small local business, someone does a little dance of excitement. On this Small Business Saturday, let’s keep our local business owners dancing all day today and as much as possible in the future.