6 Benefits of Supporting Small Business During the Pandemic (and Beyond)

Now more than ever, it is extremely important to do what we can to support small businesses—both locally and nationwide. According to the Small Business Association (SBA), there are nearly 28.8 million small businesses in the United States, which accounts for 99.7% of all U.S. businesses. The pandemic has put immeasurable levels of financial stress and burden on smaller companies, and some may unfortunately not be able to recover. If you are looking to support companies during the holiday season and into the coming year, here are six reasons to support small businesses.

Small Businesses Create Jobs

According to the SBA, small companies create 1.5 million jobs annually and are responsible for 64% of new jobs in the U.S. Patronizing these businesses keeps your neighbors and members of your community employed, and also helps to create more jobs as the businesses become more successful and grow. Why wouldn't you want to shop small and aid in keeping small business statistics at a positive level?

Small Businesses Are Run by People

Small businesses are run by people and not by large boards of directors or stockholders. This means that the people who are serving you in the store or online are typically the same people who are also running the business you are supporting. Instead of being wrapped up in company projections or the next big idea, they are working with customers directly and giving you hands-on service, allowing them to truly get to know their customer and use this knowledge to better serve future customers and the community.

Small Businesses Create Local Flavor

Oftentimes, larger corporations have to follow certain guidelines that don't allow for much creativity. For example, many popular food chains are unable to offer specials or new items that are not approved by the bigwigs in charge. Small businesses do not have to operate by these standards, which leaves room for creativity to flow. Your local non-corporate dining establishments can add interesting menu items as they see fit and also remove options that are not as popular. This flexibility makes eating locally much more appealing.

Small Businesses Keep the Money Local

Along with creating jobs for the community, small businesses also keep the money earned local. Many small business owners contribute to charity or give back to the community in unique ways, so by choosing to support them, you are also supporting the idea that money spent locally should stay local. Instead of lining a rich CEO's pocket, your money will be used to improve a place where you actually spend your time and where you will realize the most benefits.

Small Businesses are Efficient

For the most part, small businesses require very little infrastructure and take up much smaller spaces than their corporate competitors. Since they are not run by large corporations that have money to burn, these business owners tend to also be a bit more conscious of their environmental footprint and do what they can not to make any waste or use more than their share of resources.

Just Because!

If none of these reasons are enticing to you, simply support smaller businesses because you can. Small business owners and employees are working harder than ever before, and can use all of the help they can get to ensure that their jobs make it through the pandemic. Show respect for the people who went out on their own and took the risk to follow their dreams by giving them a chance to win your business.

Supporting all businesses is, of course, important as we muddle through this sad, strange year and the uncertainty of the years to come. If you are financially able, do what you can to give back to those companies that have been pillars in your community, and also use this time to give something brand new a try. You will never regret spending your money on an amazing product from a deserving company.