America's Independent Pharmacy “How We Changed the Way We Spend”

A few weeks ago I came across one of my blog posts from 2016, It's National Pharmacist Day. I'd featured a few independently-owned pharmacies, and couldn't help but wonder how they are doing now. When the first two links showed up as dead ends I assumed it was my mistake.....it wasn’t however; the links were as lifeless as the establishments they’d once led to, and a search of news articles confirmed what I feared, that these places had indeed closed their doors forever. Out of seven locations in that blog post, two years later only five remained in operation.

Make Thanksgiving About Supporting the People and Places Where You Live

Happy November and welcome to the world of shopping, crazy days, and seasonal activities. Today I'm going to share some of the articles I've been coming across which I feel are valuable to small business owners, covering topics such as assessing consumer trends to marketing for specific dates, because not only is there a lot of spending, there there is also the opportunity for you as an owner to participate in local events or activities held within your community.

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.