Support Small Businesses in Jacksonville by Mary Grace Herrington

Small businesses are the heart of local economies. According to the American Independence Business Alliance, 48 percent of the money spent at small businesses is recirculated in the community. However, big businesses only spend an average of 14 percent locally. But have you ever wondered how you can better support small businesses in Jacksonville? Here are some tips!

• Shop small.

The first (and most obvious) way to support locally-owned businesses is to shop small. Instead of stopping at big retailers, see if you can find what you need at a local boutique or grocery store. You might be surprised at what you can find, even at the smallest of businesses! If you aren’t sure where to begin, ask your friends if they have favorites in the area or start your search online.

• Leave reviews online.

Another way to support local businesses is to leave online reviews after you have good experiences shopping small. Be detailed about what you loved about the business. Was it the customer service, the products, the environment, or all of it put together? More people than ever are checking reviews, so your kind words will be very much appreciated by business owners, as well as your fellow shoppers.

• Refer friends and family.

Word-of-mouth referrals are critical for locally-owned stores, which means that can easily support small businesses by recommending them to friends and family. Tell everyone when you find a new small retailer that you love. You can also share the business’s page on social media or tag them in comments when friends ask for recommendations.

• Be an encourager.

If you have a friend or family member who is interested in starting their own business (or who already has), encourage them! Many entrepreneurs report feeling alone, especially in the beginning stages of building their business, because they lack support from loved ones. Being a friend might not seem like a big deal to you, but remember that starting a business is mentally and emotionally taxing, as well as financially stressful. Having a friend in your corner can make all the difference!

There are many ways to support local businesses that don’t require you to spend any extra money. All it takes is the intention and a little bit of effort.