When the holiday season rolls around, it’s common to hear calls to “support small businesses.” But what happens when the holiday lights come down and the festive cheer fades? Small businesses don’t cease to exist after the holidays, and neither should our support for them. Shopping small year round has a ripple effect of benefits that go beyond just getting great, unique products.
Supporting Dreams And Innovations
Behind every small business is a story. Whether it’s a single mother turning her passion for handmade soap into a thriving brand or siblings teaming up to launch a quirky café, shopping small nurtures dreams and encourages innovation.
Larger companies may prioritize mass production, but small businesses have the flexibility to be creative and offer personalized, handcrafted, or niche products that big brands often can't replicate.
Why You Should Shop Small Year Round
Shopping small isn’t just about making purchases. It’s about valuing individuality, fostering innovation, and building stronger communities. The move to support small businesses consistently isn’t just good for entrepreneurs; it’s good for everyone.
1. Unique Finds You Won’t Get Anywhere Else
Small businesses excel at offering products that are distinct, personalized, and one-of-a-kind. Think handmade jewelry, limited-batch skincare products, or artfully curated home décor. Unlike mega-retailers pumping out generic goods, small retailers thrive on creativity and craftsmanship. Supporting these businesses means supporting originality.
2. Better Customer Service
Have you ever had to wrestle with a frustrating, impersonal customer service hotline at a corporate store? Small businesses are a breath of fresh air in this space. Their team, often made up of family or close-knit employees, genuinely values their customers and treats them like neighbors.
3. Boosts The Local Economy
When you shop small, your money supports salaries, rents, and even sponsorships of local events, schools, and charities. Small businesses often give back to their own communities, multiplying the positive impact.
Think of your favorite community initiatives. The local pet shop that supports the animal shelter? The independent bookstore that hosts free kids’ storytime? These are made possible through the support they receive from their customers. They give, and your contribution helps them continue to do so.
4. Encourages Sustainable Practices
Small businesses often lean toward more sustainable and ethical practices. Whether it’s sourcing eco-friendly materials, reducing plastic waste, or working with local suppliers to cut down on shipping emissions, small businesses often run with smaller carbon footprints.
Many prioritize quality over quantity, creating products designed to last, rather than be replaced after just one season. Shopping here means you’re supporting a more eco-conscious and mindful way of life.
5. Strengthens Your Community
Small businesses are gathering places that strengthen social bonds and contribute to a vibrant, thriving community. Whether it’s a cozy bakery that becomes the heart of a neighborhood or a local bookstore doubling as an event space, these businesses go beyond commerce to create a sense of belonging.
When small businesses thrive, property values improve, city centers remain bustling, and residents feel connected. By shopping at these businesses year round, you help maintain the unique charm of your community.
6. You Inspire Others To Shop Small
Every time you make the choice to shop at a small business, you’re setting an example for others. Friends and family may follow your lead, amplifying the impact on your local economy and business owners. Your small actions can generate a big, positive movement in your community.
Since 2005, Quikstone Capital Solutions has been a trusted advisor to thousands of merchants. Quikstone provides these merchants with easy, fast, and flexible working capital for all their business needs. If you need cash for your business, contact us today. We have only one goal: to help your business succeed.
