Make Thanksgiving About Supporting the People and Places Where You Live

Happy November and welcome to the world of shopping dates and activities! I'll be sharing here some of the articles I've been coming across which I feel are valuable to small business owners. From assessing consumer trends to marketing for specific dates, now is a critical time of the year for independent retailers. Not only is there a lot of spending happening, there there is also the opportunity for you as an owner to participate in local events or activities held within your community. Don't think in terms of "just getting holiday sales", but rather view the upcoming weeks as the chance to meet and connect with new individuals which will continue to grow and build your business.

Buy a Cup of Coffee at an Independent Business

I love my locally-owned, mom and pop establishments with a passion; appreciate knowing the history behind the storefront; drive out of my way to visit them. I tend to form connections and relationships with the people who own and operate these places, and as I build bonds with other entrepreneurs I think I enrich and broaden my life.

Support Your Independent Retailers & Make This A "Local October"

Are you always saying "I'll stop there next week, or month, or year"? Do you ignore the long-time, iconic and beloved cornerstones of your town? Are you skipping the family-owned stores which are right there where you live, yet turning onto the highway and leaving town to go to the big box store complex 30 minutes away?

As I Drove Through My Town....."There Would Now Be A Chain"

Written after a drive through a small town, witnessing the final steps in the journey of a beloved local business. Franchises and chain stores can pay higher rents, and landlords will sometimes get rid of a mom and pop shop for just that reason. It happens all the time but this time it stung my heart just a bit more, struck with the realization that we'd lost yet another independent business. 

Small Business Matters | Being a Team Player in the Local Movement

Today on my Facebook page I re-shared this graphic, again. Not because I wanted to get more mileage out of one graphic, but because this same concept continues to crop up again and again. It's not rocket science to realize that if you wish to have area residents coming into your business to support YOU, then inevitably you will need to do the same. "What goes around" holds true in networking, community relationships and reciprocal business interactions. This is a good thing! Just make sure you are not the one always on the "expecting" end of things but rarely going out to show other independents the same type of support.

Support Local Businesses for Valentine's Day

Doesn't your sweetheart deserve the very best? This Valentine's Day let the chain stores sell their bland, ordinary gift items, pre-packaged chocolates and predictable imported-days-ago flowers. (because nothing says love like the mass produced bear-in-a-balloon from every big box retailer.)