This Saturday is the official day to support local, mom and pop businesses for the holiday season. I think of these small businesses often throughout the year, but especially during peak seasons, such as the holidays.
My husband and I have had the privilege of owning and operating a home based business for over 10 years now, and are in the process of starting another one. I have seen first hand the benefits we receive from those who also think about supporting and buying local. I think about the impact our dollars make when we support our friends, neighbors and our local economy.
So much of what is produced today comes from away, and so much of our money goes the same way. In a time when families and communities are struggling, spending money locally can have an enormous impact.
Here is an example. My husband, Mark, has been intensively farming our small piece of land for over 10 years. While we have enjoyed a tremendous amount of local support from our small community of 3000 people, there have been times, like with most businesses, that we have had more product than we seem to be able to sell. If those 3000 people decided to spend just 10% of their food budget on local food through us, we would sell out of all we picked pretty much every day. We would be looking to buy more land, hire more local kids (which is where we get our summer help), and would be buying even more from other Maine based businesses. We would not be able to keep up with demand, and the other small farms in our town would also have to dramatically increase production just to keep us all fed. We literally dream about such scenarios. Now imagine if this happened in many other businesses. It is amazing how little we need to spend locally to have an unreal effect collectively.
If you take the time to look, you will be amazed at what you can find being produced not far from where you live. In my own town and those surrounding me there are amazing pieces of artwork, beautiful and delicate jewelry, gorgeous felted and knitted products, locally produced wines and wine products, delightful soaps, locally raised and prepared food items, gourmet teas, antiques, local bookstores, restaurants, and so many other incredible things that I would need a page just to list them all.
With the holiday seasons approaching, this is an excellent time to start thinking about supporting your friends, neighbors and local economy. Enjoy seeing what your fellow community members can create and display, build new friendships over that cup of coffee and a chat with an invested owner, realize who you are supporting when you take the time to walk and shop through your downtown instead of clicking the computer or hitting the box stores.
Most of all, have an amazing adventure on Small Business Saturday and share what you found for amazing items that helped to support your community!
Helping you to embrace Your Sensational Self,
Shelley Allen, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, MS OTR/L
www.facebook.com/yoursensationalselfwww.yoursensationalself.com
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