Supporting Small Business During This Difficult Time
Our country is facing an extremely difficult time as we all navigate our way through uncharted waters. For small businesses, the prolonged shutdown will affect their livelihood, from the communities they’ve created, the sweat and hard work they’ve poured into building their business, to all of the successes they’ve achieved thus far. But what will hit the hardest is their dreams; in the blink of an eye it feels as if they’re about to disappear.
During this time, when things are changing minute by minute, it’s important to keep in mind that not only do we need to do what’s necessary for our survival, but in the spirit of solidarity, we need to show our support to the small businesses that provide for us in so many different ways. They are the fabric of our neighborhoods and cities. So, let’s ask ourselves, what can we do? How can we give back to the people who will inevitably lose everything if we don’t step up and band together. If there was ever a time for the world to unite, it’s now.
The support that we can give to local and small businesses can come in many forms, all we have to do is get creative in our thinking.
Many of us enjoy going out to dinner, whether it’s during the week, ordering from our favorite take-out spots, or on the weekends when we get together with loved ones and friends. We come to depend on these restaurants to feed us and now they are depending on us to help feed them.
What many of these restaurant owners are now doing is offering delivery or curb-side pickup, discounts on meals and meal packages, some are even offering the option to include alcoholic beverages to an order. For the eateries that normally deliver it’s business as usual, although it’s likely they’re seeing a spike in their take-out business. But for the restaurants that don’t normally offer delivery service, they’re now doing whatever they can to make sure their loyal customers can still enjoy a meal, even if it’s not at their table.
To support the restaurants in your area, consider not only purchasing gift cards to use at a later date, but also ordering lunch or dinner. Your delivery order is not only helping to support the restaurant, but if you utilize a delivery service, like Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash, Seamless, Postmates, or even the establishment’s own drivers, you’re also supporting the workers who make it possible for you to remain indoors. To show your gratitude to them all, also consider tipping a little extra during this time.
In times like these, we all find ourselves running to the stores to stock up on the essentials, but once we get there the shelves are wiped out, lines are long, and people’s patience is wearing thin. Instead of hitting the big box retailers, try your local supermarkets and/or smaller specialty stores. They too carry the same items as the larger chains and while you have a better chance of finding some of what you need, you’ll also be helping a smaller business generate revenue.
Other great places to search for items are Etsy, your favorite online boutiques, and even Shopify, where you can search for local vendors who may offer a version of what it is you’re looking to purchase. You never know when you’re going to come across a start-up business who has created something that closely fits what it is you’ve been going to a larger store for all along.
The fitness industry is another area that will be hit hard. While the larger franchise gyms take a hit during this time, it’s the smaller boutique studios that will feel it the most.
Members may place their memberships on hold and for studios that charge on a monthly basis, this will most certainly hurt them. Now more than ever we need some form of fitness in our daily lives, to keep both our bodies and our minds active, not to mention the binge eating some of us find ourselves doing in times like these.
Before writing off your studio for the foreseeable future, inquire as to whether they plan to offer any type of virtual training. Many of the smaller fitness studios are making it a priority to find ways in which to connect you with your favorite instructors. Whether it’s access to private classes, consultations, or general streaming classes, they’re doing their best during this critical time. Instructors can find all sorts of creative ways to help motive their members, they just need to know we’re still here.
Another great way to help out companies is through Republic, an equity crowd funding platform that allows the US population to invest in startups that may be the next Uber. Their continued success depends on funding and in order to change the world and make a difference, they’ll need money to grow.
Other small, yet significant ways in which we can all provide a little help to our fellow small businesses is through social media. On a daily basis we keep up with the latest from our favorite businesses by checking what they’ve shared on the various platforms; now is the time to show them some love through your likes and comments.
For the places you frequent often, consider leaving a 5-star review on online. If you have subscriptions or memberships to a small business, don’t cancel on them.
And while the government has pledged to provide assistance and relief to small businesses, our continued and unwavering support is what will help get our fellow business owners through this tough time.
In the words of Robert H. Schuller, “Tough times never last, but tough people do.”
- Jenna