How You Can Support Local Small Businesses

Buy from a small local business over a big box retailer when possible

We've come to rely on big box retailers as a society, and sometimes it's hard to compete with the convenience and quantity of options that they provide us as consumers. However, when you're able to purchase from your local small businesses, there is tangible, positive impact on not only the people who own the business but also the surrounding community. 

Follow on Social Media AND Engage with Posts

Following small businesses on social media help improve their reach to potential new customers, and engaging with posts also helps teaches the algorithm that people enjoy their content and helps spread their content to other users. 

Subscribe to Email Newsletters

We all get way too many emails, we get it. But small business emails are where it's at! You'll get all the latest news about events, new products, the most creative, fun gifts - things that real people created and are excited to share with you. They also don't spam you with three emails a day like the big box retailers... just sayin'.

Provide Positive Feedback via Reviews

Positive reviews help businesses gain trust in a highly saturated market and they also brighten owners' and employees' day. You can bet that they read your reviews, respond, and are fueled by spreading that positive experience to even more customers. 

Provide Not-So-Positive Feedback Directly with the Business

On another note, if you had a not-so-great experience with a small business, don't blast them online. Contact the business directly over email or over the phone. The internet is forever, and negative reviews and comments can really hurt a business's reputation. Please give them grace and the benefit of the doubt because more often than not, these businesses will be just as disappointed that you had a bad experience and will do their best to make it right. 

Tell your Friends and Family about your Favorite Small Businesses

This might seem like a no-brainer, but in the chaos of the day-to-day, we often forget who makes our favorite products that we use daily. Think of something you use every day, or something that makes you smile when you wear it and recommend it to someone in your circle who you think would also enjoy it!

Have Patience During Peak Shopping Seasons

A lot of small businesses have small teams who are doing their very best to fulfill your orders as quickly as possible during peak shopping seasons. Patience and kindness mean the world to these teams who take pride in providing you with the best possible experience they can.

Try to Avoid Excessive Returns or Exchanges

Small businesses are not big box retailers. You know how some large online marketplaces, who we won't mention by name just to avoid any trouble, won't even make you return an item for a refund because it's more costly to process the return? Well, small businesses also feel the hit of returns and exchanges, but they can't afford to do as the big box retailers do. Do your best to be responsible consumers: read product descriptions and size charts so that you fully understand what you're purchasing before buying. If your item happens to not work out, another option to returning it is to save it as a gift for a friend or family member.

Talk to the Employees or Founders

If you're shopping in-person and are greeted by a smiling face, take the time to chat with them! Sometimes you end up talking to the business's founder and you get to hear how they started their business or you wind up talking to a super passionate employee about their favorite product and get a great recommendation. Either way, being able to connect with customers is what small business is all about. Bonus points for sending an email just to pay a kind compliment or to share a story about how their business or products positively impacted you or someone you know.