We all have a responsibility to our communities. That responsibility includes a number of aspects, each of which contributes to our community being a safe, clean, successful and supportive place to live. It’s important that we all do our part so that we as individuals, business owners, employees and parents can continue to thrive in our wonderful city. Perhaps one of the easiest (and yet most important) things you can do to support your local economy is buy keeping your dollars you spend local. This means not only shopping at locally owned stores, but also choosing service professionals from locally owned companies and more. There are a number of reasons why this is so important. Following are just a few of them.
Strengthen the economy
Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business rather than a nationally owned business, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms, which continues to strengthen the economic base of the community. According to Matt Scheef with Eakes Office Plus, “For every $100 in consumer spending with chain firms, $43 will remain in the local economy; if that same spending occurs with a locally-owned firm, the same value jumps by 58 percent, to $68.”
Support community groups
Non-profit organizations receive an average of 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses. When you spend money at local stores and shops, you are putting money in the pockets of those who are likely to help those very non-profits that make our city what it is.
Reduce environmental impact
Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
Create more good jobs
Small local businesses provide jobs to residents. By spending your money with them, you are ensuring they continue to keep the local employees they have and can hire more in the future.
Put your taxes to good use
Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community. “More tax revenue means better government services, more parks, nicer roadways and more,” says Kevin Hestermann with Five Star Carpet & Floor Care. “It’s a win-win situation!”
Deal with business owners and invested managers
For the most part, you can find better service at locally owned businesses as you are generally dealing with the business owner or managers who are committed to the business. They are truly invested in their business and will go the extra mile to retain you as a customer. You’re also likely to find the same people working each time you go in, whether in the form of an owner or manager. This is opposed to large chain stores that may employ students or other employees who have not made this a career and who will cycle out of the business regularly.
Encourage uniqueness in the community
Do you want to live in a community filled with big box stores that you can find in any other city or do you want your community to be a unique place filled with businesses you can find nowhere else? We all want our city to be a city like no other, a place we can proud of. Spending our dollars at these types of businesses is the way to do it. We want to make our community a supportive, enthusiastic place for entrepreneurs to be able to start a business in. What better way can we do that then shopping at them when they open? The more we do so, the more we encourage others to start their unique businesses here. It’s a wonderful cycle that we never want to break!
“Spending locally has a wonderful impact, especially in Lincoln,” states Sarah Allison, owner of Hallow Candle Co. “It not only supports the city we live in, but also encourages those individuals who run their own businesses to follow their dreams, realize their potential and, from I’ve seen, give back to our community through charity. Lincoln is a very unique city. We care about each other and every resident and in turn have grown into a community rather than just a big college town. Almost every local business owner I’ve met dedicates a large amount of time and effort to giving back to the place that made their business possible—it’s a wonderful cycle!”
Matt Scheef with Eakes Office Plus adds, “The biggest thing buying locally does is keep better quality jobs local, keep tax dollars local and help those business owners in your backyard, schools, churches, etc. In turn, those business owners help keep Lincoln striving.”
Support Local Stores
Supporting local stores not only helps the local economy, but it also benefits the consumer in a number of other ways. “I truly believe that what makes us different from vineyards that are not local is that we’re unique,” explains Jim Ballard, owner of James Arthur Vineyards. “Growing grapes and making wine in Nebraska is a fairly young industry. We have unique varieties, which in turn make wines that are different from anyone else in the world. I think our customers appreciate that fact and they like that it’s not only grown here in Nebraska, but it’s good and you can’t find anything else like it.”
“I think the other thing is that when folks buy JAV wines, they aren’t just getting a wine, they’re getting a little piece of us, our story, our family, our history,” continues Jim. We’re part of the same community, we have the same values and beliefs, and our customers see that. When they visit the winery, they get to know us and see what we’re all about and how we do things. When they buy other wines from other states or countries, you don’t get that same personal connection. For us, that’s very important. We want people to feel like they’re a part of what we’re trying to do here. There’s a sense of pride when we have customers buy Nebraska wine, and then want to share it with family and friends who aren’t from Nebraska. I know that being born and raised in Nebraska, there are very few states, if any, that have the same loyalty to Nebraska products than we do here. If it’s a good product, and it’s local, Nebraskans will support it and be proud of it.”
Sarah Allison from Hallow Candle Co. always believes there is a difference in buying locally made products. “The difference of Hallow comes in two places: our products and our service. Our products are made with 100% natural soy wax and nearly every national company in the industry either uses all chemical wax or mixes with it to make their products. This makes those products less safe for you, your home and your family. Hallow Candle Co. provides not only long-lasting, quality products, but they’re actually healthier for you too! Next, our service goes above and beyond. Since we make our own products, we’re able to have a very knowledgeable staff to assist you with any questions and we can customize anything we make, too, making it truly yours.”
“I’ve been in the clothing business for 36 years and owned my store for 28,” says Gary Novotny with Gary Michaels Clothiers. “It’s always reassuring to know that you’ve built a good client base that is local and loyal. The independent businesses have always struggled because in most people’s minds, the best stores or deal is always 50 miles away. For example, people in Lincoln think the best deals are in Omaha and people in Omaha think they need to go to Kansas City, etc. However, many people have finally realized that you don’t have to travel as far to buy things because the stores in Lincoln offer the same products and values as larger cities and you get the benefit of supporting your local economy. The wiser and more reasonable decision is to do business with someone you can call a friend who lives in your own back yard.”
“The recent economic troubles have also affected how people shop,” Gary adds. “We now have many more people who patronize us because they are realizing how much time and money, either in gas or flights, it takes to shop elsewhere and how it makes more sense to stay local. Lincoln has a lot to feel fortunate about as we have local, good people who own businesses that you can rely on. We want to make sure people aren’t just satisfied, but that they are completely satisfied.”
Are you one of those who has always thought you need to
leave Lincoln to find what you’re looking for? If you are, try looking at the vast array of locally owned stores right here in Lincoln and you’ll most likely find that everything you want and need is available here in town. Looking for name brand jeans or shoes? It’s likely one of the local boutiques carries it or can get it for you! In love with a national brand of lotion or candle? Why not give some locally made alternatives a try? They are probably better for you and definitely better for our economy!
Support Local Service Providers
No matter what services you are buying, you should always look to locally owned companies first. No matter what it is you are seeking, there will almost always be a local option that will provide the same service and with better customer service! One example is Zing!Town, a daily deal company which would compete with national companies such as Groupon. “Buying from Zing!Town truly keeps your dollars working in the Lincoln community,” states Sheila Odom of Zing!Town. “Zing!Town is Lincoln-owned, our software is maintained in Lincoln, our printing is done in Lincoln and so on. In addition, Zing!Town offers a donation program for non-profit organizations in our community. Zing!Town is so thankful for the support we’ve received from local businesses and shoppers alike. It is apparent that our Lincoln roots and donation programs are appreciated.”
Matt Scheef with Eakes adds, “When you shop/buy locally, it allows you the opportunity to receive the services you deserve. Also, many of the national chains give consumers the ‘perception’ that they will always be the lowest price. That is not always the case and even more importantly, they will typically not be the best value. Value comes when a consumer runs into a problem, has a question or needs assistance. Having someone locally who you can trust and count on adds that value.”
“Being an owner-operated company allows us to give the customer a more personal relationship,” says Kevin Hestermann with Five Star Carpet & Floor Care. “For instance, concerns are taken care of more quickly as there is no red tape we have to go through. No one other than the owner himself is going to take greater pride in the level of service that he provides. He is going to pay more attention to details, such as punctuality in arriving at a customer’s home and the equipment is going to be clean and well-maintained.”
“When looking for a floor care company, you should keep the following in mind,” adds Kevin. “Be concerned with reputation. Ask family and friends who they have used in the past and if they are happy with them. Check and see if they are part of the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification), the watchdog organization for carpet and floor cleaners. Going with an IICRC company, you know they have the training and knowledge to effectively tackle your wall to wall carpet, upholstery, area rugs, tile and grout and hardwood floor. Observe how the company presents itself. Are they technicians in uniform? Do they use shoe covers when they enter your home? Is their van clean? Also, make sure you ask what is included in any price or estimate you get from a company. A cheap price could mean the company is cutting corners or taking shortcuts on quality. When you go with an owner-operated company, you know they have high standards because they are heavily investing in their business and will be heavily invested in making the customer happy.”
Online Shopping
With most of us spending more and more time on our computers, doing some or much of our shopping online just seems to make sense, right? Unfortunately, shopping online, outside our market is the biggest threat to our local economy, bigger than shopping at chain or ‘big box’ stores because none of that money you are spending stays local. And when you go to a local store and ‘research’ a product only to go try to find it cheaper online, you are essentially stealing from that local store’s time and energy only to save yourself a few bucks. Is it really worth it? It’s likely that you can find what you’re looking for locally and that it will come with better customer service and a real live person to talk to if something goes wrong or if you have questions. If you honestly don’t have time to walk into a store and need to do your shopping online, look to local stores that have websites like the ones below. You’ll still be supporting a local store and it won’t take you any more time than shopping at a store that is not locally owned would.
For those of us who are used to buying products and services from national, big box or chain stores, making the change to buying local can often seem a bit overwhelming. However, once you start supporting local you’ll realize how fulfilling it is for everyone involved! Here are some hints on how to get started:
–Start slow. You don’t have to give up all of your national brands or purchases all at once. Make a commitment to make one small change a month. For example, try shopping at a few local boutiques this month rather than your normal department store. Next month, try making a few of your normal grocery buying trips to a locally owned market.
–Do some research. Once you start asking and looking around, you’ll probably be surprised at the sheer number and variety of locally owned stores and service providers in Lincoln. Try doing some exploring in different neighborhoods to see what they offer and ask your friends and family for their favorite locally owned businesses.
–Give local a chance. Do you need work done and are tempted to just go with your normal service provider who is not from a locally owned company? This time, why not get a bid from a local company as well? You may be surprised that the locally owned option provides better customer service at a very competitive price.
–Do some gift shopping local. You don’t have to limit your local purchases to yourself—why not get your friends and family into the ‘buy local’ habit by buying them gifts from locally owned stores? You’ll be supporting your local economy as well as introducing your loved ones to some great products that they might continue to buy.
–Try out some local restaurants. There are some delicious restaurants that are locally owned and operated and many of them get some or even a majority of their food from local vendors, not only supporting the economy but also offering you the freshest of ingredients! Used to having lunch or dinner at a chain restaurant? Try switching it up this month and giving some of the locals a try!
–Get involved! The more you get involved in your local community, the more you will meet business owners who have their own stores or shops in the city. By getting to know the faces behind the businesses, you’re naturally more likely to start shifting your spending toward their stores. You’ll also find that developing relationships with the owners not only provides you with unprecedented customer service, but also makes for a more satisfying buying experience for everyone involved. One great way to get involved is by joining the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber’s mission is to support local business and help with economic development. By getting involved in one of the many groups available and by attending events, you will get the chance to mingle with local business owners develop relationships with those you can do business with. The Chamber is a great resource not only to local business owners, but also to everyone who lives in the city and wants to support those who make Lincoln the wonderful place it is.
We are very lucky to have an environment in Lincoln that is friendly to the small business owner and we want to continue that tradition! “I realized after opening my store that I really had no idea what I’d gotten myself into,” confesses Sarah Allison with Hallow Candle Co. “However, I learned and I adjusted and after seeing what a local business takes to run, I’ve changed my lifestyle towards supporting local as much as I can. I am truly blessed to live and work in a community that is so supportive!”