Importance of Supporting Small, Local Businesses

Over 28 million small businesses are operating in the U.S. alone, according to the Small Business Administration. That’s an impressive number, since it takes more effort than ever before to start and grow a small business. Online sellers have gobbled up more than their market share, threatening — and in many cases succeeding — to put local small businesses out of … business. There are many advantages to supporting local businesses, including:

Local Dollars Stay Local

When you support small, local business, your local dollars stay in the community. This helps the local economy, where the dollars circulate and are used to support local needs. This enriches the whole community.

More Jobs, Better Wages

When you buy local, you enable small businesses to stay in business. Local people rely on those jobs to earn a living. And when you spend at small, local businesses, those business can afford to pay better wages to their valued employees.

Accountability

When you buy products and services from a local small business, they’re more likely to care about ensuring you get the best customer service possible. There’s accountability to the people in the community.

Local Character

Small, local storefronts add character to a town. There’s a diversity of colors, products and services and the way they’re displayed. This kind of local character adds value to the community in many ways. First, it makes living there much nicer. Second, it adds tourist appeal and brings in tourist dollars to the community.

Ecologically Sustainable

When you buy locally, you are saving the environment. You don’t have to travel as far to get the goods, the goods don’t have to be transported over highways, and the products themselves are more likely to be local.

Exponential Support

When you shop from one local store, you’re more likely to stop in and shop at a neighboring store, or one down the road. This means that one local store actually helps support all the other stores around it. Whether you’re shopping for HVAC services or fresh flowers, buying local helps everyone in the community.

Product Variety

You’re more likely to get product variety when shopping in a small, local business establishment. Local shop owners typically sell unique and one-of-a-kind items in order to help themselves stand out from the chain stores. This kind of product variety makes shopping more interesting for everyone.

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is the backbone of our country. This country was made by people who took it upon themselves to open up small, local shops. When you support small businesses in your local community, you’re helping keep the spirit of entrepreneurship alive and well.

The importance of supporting small businesses cannot be overstated. Without them, entire towns would lose their personality and character. Consumers would be reliant on faceless corporations for all their needs. The world just wouldn’t be the same without small, local businesses. Whenever you shop for products or services, consider if you can get it locally. Your local small business and your community will thank you for it.

That’s why we’d like to thank each and every one of you who participated in voting for the Best of The Woodlands 2019 – and we don’ t mean just the ones who voted for Efficient Climate Control – we mean ALL of you. Your participation and votes are helping your community to grow stronger, and we appreciate you all for it!