Did you know small businesses in our country make up half of the entire American workforce? That’s amazing! It is truly small businesses that support large businesses and our greater economy in many ways.
As a community, we know the owners of our small businesses. We go to school and church together. We socialize together. It is easy to focus on the big businesses in our town that are part of our thriving economy, but imagine if tomorrow all of our small businesses just disappeared into thin air. I mean, really think about it.
What would be missing without our small locally-owned businesses? First of all, the personal touch. Our business owners know their community and care about it. Most often, they themselves were born and raised here and just want to provide a service for the community.
Secondly, more of the dollars spent at a local small business stay right here. When you spend $100 with a local small business, about $68 of those dollars will stay right here and circulate. When you shop big business, that amount drops to around $48. When you shop out of town, none of the money you spend will support our town.
Thirdly, small business owners contribute to our little leagues, churches, and more. They really are helping to make our world go round. They want to see our community thrive for all of us and themselves.
Also, local small businesses provide culture and creativity to a community. They help us have a signature that sets us apart from other communities. Think about visiting other places – what sets them apart and helps you remember that place? It’s often a local business with some special characteristic, service, or flair that stuck with you.
Don’t get me wrong. We need them all – local, chain, big and small. They all are special, appreciated, and needed. But, oftentimes, it is the small mom & pop shop that gets overlooked first. Having lived in big cities all my life before moving to Artesia, and understand the attraction of feeling like you might have everything at your fingertips. Yet, I’ve always had great fun just shopping locally right here in Artesia. The temptation to order online is real, and sometimes necessary, but I know firsthand you can find great things right here in Artesia at a local shop.
Use your imagination and spend some time looking around. You can find a lot of fun, last-minute gifts right here in Artesia – clothes, candles, games, grills, tools, gadgets, kitchen supplies – all kinds of stuff; I could go on and on. Our local business owners will help you out finding goodies for your friends and family … and maybe even a little something for yourself.
Love the local today and every day. It’s what makes Artesia great!
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Hayley Klein is the executive director of the Artesia Chamber of Commerce. Contact her at 575-746-2744.)
