More Than a Store: Support Local
My heart has been breaking for small business owners since Covid-19 shuttered most in March. This has been compounded by recent riots that have literally destroyed many small businesses as they were starting to reopen.
The PPP, grants, and loans have been a lifesaver to many small businesses, but money does not replace the loss of relationships and customers that being closed for two or more months and new safety protocols have caused.
Five things to keep in mind about small business owners:
1. They are human. Behind every business is a human with a life and with feelings.
2. They struggle to make ends meet. The majority of small business owners are not wealthy people that have a business on the side to become more wealthy. Most are running businesses that make minimal profits after paying for inventory, supplies, rent, employees, taxes, healthcare, SSI, insurance, etc..., (the list goes on). Most pay themselves last, if any.
3. They want to support their employees. There seems to be an undertone against corporations and businesses that they want to take advantage of people and make money. Most are just trying to serve their clients and make them happy while taking care of their employees and make enough money to cover overhead and make a profit. It is that simple. Laying off employees or cutting pay is one of the hardest things for a business owner to do.
4. They have limited resources to keep their business going. Many had to make the hard choice to lay people off, not because they wanted more money for themselves. They knew they could not sustain their business without cutting costs and salaries, (often the biggest cost).
5. Reopening their business means slowly navigating to their next normal and figuring out how to survive and be profitable again. Let's be honest, it is very hard for the government, a community, or a business to navigate with Covid-19 looming around us, a financial crisis, plus, the reality or even fear of looting and rioting. This is a new world for us all. Many businesses will not reopen, because they do not have the resources.
So what can we do to help small business owners?
1. See them as real humans with families and concerns.
2. Support their business. I know it may be more expensive and out of your way than simply ordering online, but if you want small businesses to stay in your community the community has to support the businesses.
3. Reach out. Get to know the business owners and see them and their businesses as community builders.
4. Refer them. Find out who their best customers are and refer your friends and family to them. Promote them on social media and in neighborhood groups from time to time.
5. Say thank you! Thank them for reopening in your community. Take them a small gift to say thank you. And, buy lots of stuff while you are in their store. Leave them a positive review on Google and Facebook. Give a recommendation on LinkedIn for the business owners and their employees.
We are in this together. Together neighbors and business owners can create a beautiful array of diversity and talent to add to the ecosystems in our communities.
