9 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES

1. A Sense of Community

Small businesses have a strong sense of community because they create personal relationships with customers, and the care for one another goes both ways. There is a more intimate relationship between the small business and the customer than one would have with a big corporate entity or chain store.

2. Small businesses Donate To Local Charities & Non-Profits

Did you know that small businesses donate 250% more to charities and non-profits than big businesses? Because the people who own small businesses genuinely care about the community and want to make a difference. When you support small businesses you are supporting the well-being of the community too!

3. Small Businesses Create Jobs

Small businesses create jobs for people and often times pay better wages than big businesses. There would be a much higher percentage of unemployed persons in every country if it weren’t for small businesses. It is no secret how much of an impact small businesses have on the economy. When you support small businesses you are providing more opportunity for owners to outsource tasks to people who are in need of income.

4. Every Purchase Makes A Difference

Every single purchase from a small business makes a difference to the owner and any employees they may have. Big name brands, massive businesses and chain stores do not celebrate or personally care whether you have bought their product or used their services – their main focus is money, their branding is manipulative and most of these companies produce products and make money through unethical practices and unfair labour laws.

When you support small businesses, you are supporting a person’s livelihood, helping someone support their family, pay for their studies or build a dream. Trust me, every purchase made from a small business is greatly appreciated and celebrated by the owners!

5. You Get Quality Over Quantity

Have you ever bought something way over-priced for the quality you received? Or you bought a product with a high price tag thinking it is going to last but a few months later it is already worn out or even broken?

There are so many big businesses out there (especially in the fashion industry) who aim to produce their products in the cheapest ways possible with weak materials that do not last and unethical labour. They add a high price tag to convince their customers that they are receiving a quality (even luxury) item. They are earning high profits on low quality products without holding true to any honest, ethical and sustainable values.

Small businesses put so much love, time and care into their products and services. You will receive so much more value for your money when you buy from someone who has personally poured their heart and soul into what they are selling you. It is a much more one on one experience between you and the small business, so they want to give you their best in exchange for supporting them.

One bad review on a Shein product does not hurt the company, but one bad review on a small business can have detrimental effects. So when you are supporting a small business you know you are supporting the values and quality they stand for.

6. Small Businesses Are More Ethical And Sustainable

Small businesses have a smaller carbon footprint than big companies because their production is done on a much smaller scale. Many small businesses also have strong core values that ripple into taking care of the environment, creating sustainable products and making sure their employees are treated fairly. When you really dig into the details of how big businesses run their companies, you will see that these values are not important to them. The big businesses that do hold these ethics are very few and far between.

You can feel more at peace knowing that your money is going towards a more ethical and sustainable future (for the earth and for the economy) when you buy from a small business.

7. More Originality, Craftsmanship & Art

Everyone thinks that buying one of the “exclusively designed” 80 handbags in the new Louis Vitton range means being the owner of one makes it original and exclusive. But there is nothing more special than owning an original piece of art, handmade clothing, jewelry, decor or accessory or using a service created carefully by someone, than purchasing these items from a small business.

Every single piece and detail has been thought-out and handcrafted with love and passion by a small business owner.

8. Small Businesses Care About You

The experience of purchasing from a small business is a wholesome and caring process. Small businesses care about the experience you have with them and they care that you are happy with what you have purchased because their small business is a direct reflection of themselves.

9. Small Businesses Are Innovative

You are supporting the thriving of innovation, inventors, creativity, out-of-the-box thinkers and dreamers, entrepreneurs and difference makers! The more you support small businesses, the more opportunity there is for people to grow, expand and give value to the community and even possibly make big changes in the world!

I hope that this post has opened your eyes as to why it is important to support small businesses. And the impact your purchasing power can have on communities, the economy and people’s livelihoods.

I would love to hear in the comments why you believe it is important to support small businesses and local communities!

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