We continue our series focused on Main Street business districts and the vital role that they play in supporting long term sustainability in the communities they serve. Our second show is focused specifically on statewide and national Shop Small, Shop Sooner campaigns.
With supply chains currently backed up, local business owners aren’t sure when they will receive merchandise ordered months ago and they are also quite sure that they won’t be able to re-order items that sell out so we are all encouraged to do our holiday shopping much earlier than usual.
Joining us in this week’s discussion are two women from America’s Small Business Development Center for Iowa: Lisa Shimkat, the state director and Brianna Hall, the marketing manager. They are at the heart of supporting and promoting small businesses across Iowa.
As stated in an AP article, Millennial Money: Shopping small makes a big impact, by Kelsey Sheehy of NerdWallet in April of 2021, “Shopping locally requires more thought. Supporting small businesses is an intentional act—one that the mom and pop shops in your neighborhood desperately need you to make.” Statistically, “According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, when you spend $100 at a small business, $48 stays in the community. Spend the same $100 at a big-box store or national retailer and only $14 stays.”
Shop at your local businesses this holiday season and enjoy the personal connection as well as knowing the dollars you spend will more directly support your local community in many ways. Visit your local main street and Shop Small, Shop Early!
Key Takeaways from our discussion:
- America’s Small Business Development Center’s mission is to help businesses succeed by providing guidance for business plans, new markets, customer identification, cash flow analysis, etc.
- There are 15 centers across Iowa and each one provides free services
- 11 of Iowa’s community colleges and all three Regent universities provide services
- When you shop at a local store, you bring money into the community and they give it back via time, money, and services
- Local businesses give to non-profits within the community at a much higher rate than non-locally owned businesses
- The Shop Sooner campaign arose because of the supply chain issues that are causing big delays in purchasing for local merchants
- Shop Iowa is an e-commerce platform that allows local businesses to sell products online for free
- Having an online presence has really helped businesses hang on during COVID
- Many businesses also offer curb-side pick-up
- Local businesses provide an unmatched personalized service
- Challenge yourself to shop at five local businesses that you haven’t been to before during this holiday season
- By shopping local, you are gaining an experience in your own community
- Save space for grace during these challenging times
Remember . . .
BY SHOPPING LOCAL, YOU ARE:
- Creating jobs
- Keeping money in the local economy
- Investing in entrepreneurship
- Nurturing a sense of community
- Supporting the environment by reducing waste and conserving energy
“You can’t buy happiness,
But you can buy local,
And that’s kind of the same.”
Thank you for listening to today’s discussion. Let’s continue the conversation and learn from each other.