058: 5 Reasons to Support Small Business this Christmas

As I sat at home, my little boy playing on the floor close by, preparing to record this podcast episode, so many reasons came to mind for why small businesses matter.  There are a million reasons - like the little girl who gets to take music lessons or the parents who are able to put food on the table.  There's the teenager who goes to college because his parents took a risk.  They got out of their dead-end jobs, worked their buns off, and created something from scratch.  There's the mom who teaches her kids every single day that you can create the world you want to live in.  There are a million personal stories for why small business matters.  Then, there's the bigger picture that shows what all of these small businesses mean as a whole.

Tune into the podcast to hear my take on why small business matters, plus a special announcement!

When You Support Small Business You Support:

1. Innovation – Small businesses focus on solving problems and creating products that aren’t always driven by popular trends or sales forecasts. There are so many unique products created by makers and artisans every day - individuals who are set on making the world a better place.
2. Opportunity – On a recent episode of Shark Tank, Daymond John said, “Being an entrepreneur is the ultimate equalizer.” There is opportunity for everyone when it comes to innovation, hustling and getting your products into stores and the hands of customers. Being an entrepreneur is hard, grueling work. It's that way for everyone. The playing field is equal and it’s all about the level of determination and work that you bring to the equation.
3. Families – When you buy from a small business, often you’re supporting a family. You’re the reason a mom is able to be at home with her children, or that a family is able to pay their mortgage or send children to college.  You’re supporting individuals with a high level of ethics, who treat their employees like family.
4. The US Economy - Many small businesses have products that are handmade by their owners right here in the U.S. Rather than buy plastic junk from China and factories where the working conditions are unknown, you can support quality products, eco-friendly materials, and families paying their workers fair wages.
5. Paying it Forward - Small businesses give back.  Research indicates that over 90 percent of small business owners contribute to their communities through volunteering, in-kind contributions, and cash donations. When you support small businesses, you’re helping to pay it forward.

 Discover some great small businesses that you can support this Christmas.

Pin this graphic so you can spread the word and encourage others to SHOP SMALL this year.