2021 Update To Why And How You Should Support Local Small Businesses

Were you aware that 20% of Canadian startups fail within a year? 60% don’t make it to see three, let alone in a worldwide financial crisis… It goes without saying, local businesses need help from their townspeople more than ever, especially as this pandemic drags out. So what’s in it for you? Read on; there are more benefits than most consumers realize.

Supporting People Like You

98% of Canadians work in small businesses. Chances are, you are or were one of them at some point. Keeping these companies up and running keeps your neighbors employed. They are the parents of the kids you meet on the sidelines at games; they are your fellow taxpayers; they are the owners of the businesses that donate to the local food bank and school fundraisers; they are the ones handing out candy on Main Street at parades and on Halloween. The fact of the matter is, local businesses play a significant role in making where you live, what it is, a community.

Here is what we should all love and support about a small local business:

Keeping the Taxes Within Your Town

Think about it this way: All the sales taxes spent at local companies stay in your area, thus improving its municipality.

Investing In Your Community

Business with the locals enhances your economy. For every $100 spent on small businesses, $73 remains in the local economy, while only $43 spent on larger corporations stay.

Top-Notch Service

For those who live in small towns especially, it’s no secret that the tea travels fast. Local entrepreneurs make it their priority that all customers leave happy. Otherwise, the regulars will all hear about it. Additionally, they typically enjoy connecting with community patrons. This quality service is authentic to smaller establishments.

Community Interaction

Expanding on small business owners’ love to maintain their relationships with their community, they are more apt to give back. These are the people you see sponsoring recreational teams and fundraisers. Your involvement with their service can be your way of giving back.

Sustainability

It’s also just a fact that walking, biking, any form of transportation other than cars are better for the environment, which is much more practical when heading toward a local destination.

Shifting Gears Toward Convenience

Covid-19 brought too many misfortunes, but there have been some convenient upgrades applied to small businesses in order to stay afloat. For example, curbside pickups and delivery options make it faster to grab your goods on the go.

How DO You Support Local Businesses?

Besides frequenting their establishment to buy their goods and services, there are many other ways to shore up small businesses in your town.

• Leaving positive reviews on social media and business listing sites can be a considerable boost. Primarily because with the negative experience of living through a pandemic, negative comments and reviews are on the rise… not necessarily because of a bad experience, but rather a phenomenon called schadenfreude, a bit of enjoyment at the misfortunes of others. The more positive reviews, the less hostile ones are seen, and it helps the company’s overall visibility.
• Word of Mouth referrals is the lifeblood of a small business. Giving one can be done in person, on the phone, and by sharing on your personal social media channels online. By doing this, you provide relatively unknown organizations more visibility and free publicity – it’s priceless!
• Ask how you can help. You don’t know if you don’t ask, and you could be surprised what the very specific answer will be. Maybe your local brewery or home decor business needs a broader distribution in your county, and asking merchants if they carry their products creates a demand. Perhaps they are having trouble hiring and need the word put out on the street, or you know a worthy candidate. It just could be they need your goods or expertise to keep going.

How GetAssist Can Help

We interact with companies almost every single day for a multitude of reasons: business, networking, pleasure, survival, etc. As a result, there are many opportunities to connect to small businesses on our network. Whatever the reason, with a Social or Business Membership, GetAssist can link you with an establishment in your community that is calling your name. All you have to do is MAKE A REQUEST, like in the box at the top of this page, for anything you need done and you will be connected with LOCAL small business who can help. You can leave a review after your experience with the organization and share with your communities of interest what you loved about it. In addition, three percent of the revenue from Business Memberships goes back to the communities our business members reside.

Share an intimate relationship with your town by visiting local shops and establishments. It’s an investment in your wants, needs, as well as improved economic flow in your area. Consider this your encouragement to give back to the place that welcomes you.