My small business works with other small businesses. Mostly local ones. You know who cares about small businesses? Mostly small business owners.
I’m largely convinced that the “average” person cares mostly about themselves and that the plight of small businesses is “not their problem”.
I went to purchase an item from my local mobile phone goodies provider. I’ve bought all my accessories through them. They didn’t have what I needed so were going to order it in and just run it through my account. To my surprise, the PIN they needed to access my account didn’t work. I called my phone company to sort out the PIN issue and the rep there asked me “Why wouldn’t you just order from Amazon”?
Hmm. Let’s see. I would buy this from my mobile phone goodies provider because . . .
- I have a relationship with the people there,
- I’ve supported them and they’ve supported me for the past 7 years,
- Buying local helps the local economy,
- It’s more environmentally friendly to have what I need shipped to the store along with dozens of other items instead of having one phone accessory shipped to my door,
- The delivery driver who brings the stuff to the store is making a decent wage which also supports the local economy, and . . .
- . . . I can pick up a latte, which I can’t do when I order online.
Yes, I know. I could have purchased what I needed from Amazon at midnight, in my pajamas, from the comfort of my couch. I chose not to.
I don’t know what the profit is for the local phone goodies store when I buy an accessory there. However, I know there will be some, and that profit keeps them in business.
If you want local businesses to stay in business, employ you, your kids, your friends, your neighbours, support your charity or cause, pay taxes to your municipality, and otherwise contribute to a healthy society, then get off your couch, put on some clothes, and go buy the majority of the things you need from a local business.