Okay, yes, I do know that, and time is money, I fully understand.

But let me ask you, with that purchase, where is your money going? Who does your purchase help and support?

I am picking on Amazon here, but the same is true for other big box stores too! And yes, I shop at Amazon too, I am not saying 'don't use them', I got a fridge filter and soap dispenser during Prime days, I get it, sometimes we can't find it anywhere but there. But I’ve also pulled myself to shop there less because let’s think about it ...

Small businesses are built from a dream, an idea, an entrepreneur, or a family working hard to provide you with a great product and make a living for themselves. 

6 Benefits Of Shopping Small

Overall, small businesses need our support. 2020 was harmful in many ways, including business, especially for the smaller shops. I know you probably hear the words “shop small” or “shop local” all the time, but have you ever really thought about WHY?

Why is it so important to shop small and shop locally? 

There are many reasons, but in this blog post, I want to share 6 major benefits with you!

1. You get to support a business owner with a dream

Most small businesses start with a dream, an idea, and a passion that a business owner thought about so many times before starting the business to make an income for themselves and their family. It takes a lot of planning and preparation to make it a go and supporting them truly means something, it helps them move the business forward while feeding their family.

2. You support and give back to your local community

Small businesses are giving local people jobs and working with local events and charities to bring good things to the community. There is not only business growth but also community growth.

3. You get to experience good customer service from REAL people face-to-face

We often take for granted the power of being able to talk to a REAL person until we’re faced with an issue online and don’t have that luxury. Many big box stores don’t have customer service call centers, so if you need help you have to do it through a chat box. When you shop small, you’re more likely to receive better customer service from real, nice people with a smile that you can talk to, ask questions, and get answers!

4. The products are often better quality

Could a product be $5 or more at a small shop compared to the big box? Maybe. But again, think about where that money is going, AND think about the quality of those products.

I know we are all seeing deals within more big box stores, and we are working hard ourselves to work and save money. When the grocery bill is high (I paid $17 for grapes 😳) as well as the gas pump fill, it’s hard not to look for every deal. But we also need to look at the quality of what we purchase. A deal is sometimes a waste of money when a good quality purchase at a higher cost is a savings. When something lasts over more years, it can be worth the extra $5+.

We are all busy, and time is hard to come by, but these shops are worth the trip and are often online too, maybe not with a 4 AM delivery, but patience is something we can all work on. 🙂

5. You get to find unique items that you just can’t find anywhere else.

When you shop in small, local shops you often find clothing and other items you have not seen before, that not everyone has. It becomes a unique find and makes more shopping fun. 🙂 And gifts are more fun to purchase when you see items you haven't seen in all the other stores.

6. Beyond just physical products, small businesses also offer great services. 

Let's not forget the small businesses that offer great services. Who do you usually look to for service help? 

While a corporate, larger business may have more bodies in the office, a small business dedicates its time to you in a loyal way, giving your business genuine care and help in many areas. The corporate business might be cheaper, but they may also take the money and can then be hard to reach for answers, slow with the tasks, even with having more bodies. 

I won’t name names but there is one company (actually 2) that will walk into small businesses (especially when they are new) and take them for a ride with their Google Listings. 

They offer to do all these things for a yearly contract, and they don’t do half of what they should to help the business grow with that listing. They also slap their copyright (ok, maybe they should) on your store photos, which then gives owners a nightmare if they ever want to remove those as they don't work with you to get it done.

Yes, I’ve battled those corporate people for my clients, and it’s maddening (and they were rude). They take money and don’t manage listings well. And while that yearly contract could be a bit cheaper than a small business offer, the headaches you get in that year are just not worth it.

So why am I sharing this?

I have a love for small businesses, those that are working hard to make it and provide their customers with the best service. 

I would rather shop responsibly and give them the extra money for products and services, supporting not only a business owner but the community. 

I am from a small town and that community has hardly anything left. Now that I live in the 'city', I seek out the small businesses here, and in the surrounding communities, to shop and support as often as I can.

I want to encourage you to take a minute and think about where you do business, where you spend the money, think about the Amazon experience, the stuff you buy, and where your money is going. Maybe we can't shop all things and services small, but I know we can do more.

Do you have any shopping changes you could do that will make a positive difference for you, and someone else?

Support small. Support local. Support community. 🖤

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P.S. Are you a small business owner looking for more customers and growth? Virtually Brady supports small businesses, not only as a customer but also assists business owners with time-consuming tasks that lead to growth.

Connect with me to share your goals and discuss ways to reach them. 🖤

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