Small and local businesses have more community impact than on their designated once-a-year Small Business Saturday awareness events. The ability to reflect a community’s character and interact with their neighbors on both a business and personal level is something many large corporations are unable to do. Celebrating a small business is more than just complimenting its quirk or hipster audience — it’s recognizing and cherishing the positive impact it holds around your community and local government, plus all of the independent and unique products or services not found with big businesses.
Local Jobs
With the increase in local small businesses comes an increase in the number of available local jobs. Local jobs are ideal because they reduce the amount of traveling and commuting employees need to do to get to work. When you have an active community with small businesses placed throughout, people are more likely to shop around from one business to the next, as opposed to only going to one department store for everything they need. The more attention small businesses receive, the more labor they need to stay productive.
Increase Tax Base
Small businesses generate revenue that converts to local taxes feeding the local economy to create a better business within your community. This means your school districts, police forces and other small businesses and organizations will create a support system and reap the benefits of each others’ hard work.
Product Diversity
Small businesses are innovative and diverse. They carry inventory and products that are fresh, new and different. An independent retailer will generally provide unique products that are unable to be found at larger retailers.
With small businesses, there is the ability to cooperate with other local businesses. Many products can be made because of the goods and services of other local outfits, allowing the profits to return to the local economy. Technology can also help small businesses thrive, especially regarding online shopping. Providing multiple shipping options can enable community members to be flexible with their shopping, viewing all of the different and innovative products available in a local setting.
Community Identity
Forming and shaping the identity of a community might be one of the biggest roles of small businesses. Their participation in the community can help reflect an important history that is crucial to the town. Being a substantial presence within the local community can shape the character of the people as well, directly influencing tourism in the area as well as connecting with everyday individuals passing through.
Not only are local businesses important for creating a culture for the community, but they also build connections and relationships with the people. Owners welcome friendly unfamiliar faces regularly but are always pleased and delighted when they see familiar and returning customers. There’s a small-town feeling that arises when anyone walks into a local business — the staff is polite, the owner is present and friendly and customers always feel welcome. When you get to know small businesses, you’ll find a variety of nice gestures and wonderful surprises — the baker slips you an extra croissant, the florist remembers all of your Homecoming corsages and the art gallery reserves a special place for an upcoming exhibition to display your personal work.