Rising Together: How Small Businesses Lift Our Community Higher
Hello dear reader,
I’m right in the thick of editing interviews for my upcoming book on women in small business. Something I keep seeing, during this process is how important small businesses are in the rich tapestry that is community. Here is a snapshot of things I discovered.
Businesses support community by using their services to hold things together in hard times like droughts, fires and pandemics.
I’ve heard many stories of local business people supporting their communities during COVID, even as their businesses were forced to close. There’s Olivia, the bookstore owner who dropped off books to people in lockdown on her way home every afternoon. And Sue, who turned her café into take-away only, to protect her staff during COVID even though she took a loss financially. And on and on it goes.
They create jobs for people in the community. Everything from apprenticeships to highly skilled positions, giving people the chance to work and earn a living right where they live.
They bring character, energy, and vitality to a community. Like those cosy cafes, funky boutiques, and artsy craft stores. They add that special local flavour that makes a place unique and interesting. It's what gives communities their charm.
Small business owners care about their communities from a grass roots level. Owners are often keen to support local causes and events which creates a sense of belonging and community pride. They connect and build relationships with their customers to make tight-knit and welcoming towns.
When you support small businesses, you're keeping money in the community. When you shop locally, the money stays local, helping to support other small businesses and services. It's like a positive domino effect that boosts the local economy and makes the whole community thrive.
Most small businesses also care about their environment. They tend to be more eco-friendly, using fewer resources and have a smaller carbon footprint. When people support small businesses, they’re also helping to promote sustainability and a greener community.
They are the heart and soul that keep communities alive. Small businesses are the unsung heroes and quiet achievers. of our towns.
So, let's give a big shout-out to our local small businesses! They're the ones that keep our communities alive, vital, and full of character. Next time you're out and about, remember to shop local and support the heart and soul of your community - the small business.
until next time,
