By: Kelsey Lewandowski Across the country, small businesses are responsible for the employment of 58.9 million people which is about 47.5% of the private sector workforce. With much of the nation on lockdown and practicing social distancing, small businesses are struggling to thrive. In times like these, keeping a small business afloat calls for creativity and community support.
Here are some ways you can help support these businesses within your community: 1. Find your go-to restaurants, shops, studios, etc. on social media. Many local businesses are posting about what their plans are for the immediate future and how you can support them. Maybe your yoga studio is hosting online classes, the coffee shop you go to daily is running to-go specials, or your favorite restaurant is now delivering. You won’t know unless you check! 2. Buy gift cards or pay in advance. Paying in advance for your weekly activities like fitness classes or similar session-based activities are a great way to help out while staying within your normal budget. Many shops and restaurants are also offering gift cards online which is a great way to provide an immediate source of revenue for businesses that may be struggling. 3. Buy merchandise online. As well as clothing stores, many restaurants, coffee shops and fitness centers also sell physical merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, etc. online. This is a great way to support these businesses because the merchandise has likely already been created and stocked, so it won’t incur immediate extra costs for the business to produce. 4. Share on social media. If you’ve found a great way to support your favorite business, spread the word! Encouraging the community to shop or donate to small and local businesses can lead to more help. Not everyone will know about the specials these businesses are running, extra ways to help out, or even if some of these businesses are still open. Small businesses play an integral role in our economy and even more so in your local area. Even if you can’t afford to buy or donate right now, sharing online, leaving reviews and providing moral support can go a long way. Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/business/small-businesses-coronavirus-help.html?searchResultPosition=3 https://hbr.org/2020/03/what-small-businesses-need-to-survive-the-coronavirus-crisis
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
Archives
April 2020
|