#ShopSmall: Where you spend your holiday dollars matters

Small businesses are stepping up and communities are supporting it.

All over Facebook, users are asking for their friends favorite small businesses so they can purchase their holiday gifts locally. They know they can find unique gifts while also supporting the hard work of small business owners. 

Despite uncertainty, small businesses are working hard. It’s what drives them. The risks of small business owners leads to innovation, ultimately moving us forward--we need them.

As consumers we play a part in the survival of these businesses,

“Choosing to support an independent business is an act of respect; it’s acknowledging the tremendous risk and challenges inherent to starting your own thing.” - Matt Kliegman, co-founder The Smile, The Smile To Go, Black Seed Bagels, via Forbes

When we purposely focus on supporting local businesses, it assists in bring appeal the shopping area, raking tourism dollars into the community. This in turn has a positive impact on surrounding locations such as hotels and attractions. Keep your dollars in the community all while helping local development.

A tip for the merchants: Attract these customers looking for personal experiences and unique gifts by showcasing what makes you different from the big box stores. Tell your story, participate in markets and pop-ups, share your process, and stick together.

When small businesses survive, the livelihood of communities, the creation of meaningful jobs, the support of makers, and the preservation of traditional production methods are ensured.

Author: Katey Crean, Hello Social Co.