• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Recipes
    • By Course
      • Appetizer
      • Baked Goods
      • Breakfast
      • Dessert
      • Dips & Sauces
      • Drinks
      • Main Course
      • Sides
      • Snack
    • By Cuisine
      • American
      • Asian
      • Indian
      • Indonesian
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican
    • By Diet
      • Dairy-Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
    • Reviews
  • Shop
DWELL by michelle

DWELL by michelle

  • About
  • Save Money
  • Contact

Vote for Small Businesses with Your Dollar

April 28, 2020

Vote for Small Businesses with Your Dollar
Table of Contents hide
1 What are Small Businesses?
2 What’s the BIG Deal?
3 Why Support Small Businesses?
3.1 It Drives Innovation Forward
3.2 It Supports Community Members
3.3 It Stimulates the Local Economy
4 How Can I Support Small Businesses?

What are Small Businesses?

According to the Small Business Administration, a small business is defined as any independently owned and operated company with limited size and revenue. Typically, small businesses can include privately owned corporations, sole proprietorships, or partnerships. A key distinguisher, however, is that small businesses have less revenue than larger businesses in its industry. That said, it’s worth noting that the size and revenue standards of being a small business vary from industry to industry. This means that depending on the industry, a small business could have a maximum of 250 employees or 1,500 employees. For more information on small business size standards, click here.

What’s the BIG Deal?

You might already know of a few small businesses in your community. You might already buy some of their products or services. But did you know that small businesses are the heart of our communities — and that they are struggling?

The SBA estimates that there are approximately 28.8 million small businesses in the U.S, which makes up 99.7% of all businesses in the United States. That makes small businesses a BIG deal!

Unfortunately, that’s not all.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20 percent of small businesses fail within their first year of operation. By the end of their fifth year, roughly 50 percent of small businesses fail, with 65% failure rate on all small businesses by year 10.

Why is this? Simply put, these independent businesses often have a hard time competing with its larger market-share holders in their respective industry.

Independent businesses give cities their shape, texture, color, and taste…often literally.

Hasan Minhaj

Why Support Small Businesses?

According to the U.S. Small Business Association and the U.S. Department of Labor, supporting small independent businesses come with several positive impacts:

It Drives Innovation Forward

At the heart of small businesses are their entrepreneurial founders —dream-filled, ambitious, resilient pioneers. These people are driven by their passion to build, even in the midst of uncertainty. These people are champions of innovation, risk-takers, community members who strive to lead their family and community forward. When we support small businesses, we invest in the cultivation of innovation for the years to come.

It Supports Community Members

Generally, local businesses are owned and operated by our community neighbors! Because they are part of the community, small businesses provide a hometown feel and add “flavor” (often literally!) to our communities. Often, these small business owners genuinely care about the well-being of our communities and are personally invested our communities’ future.

You want to shop and live near places that actually mean things to people; places that have a real effect on communities. You can feel when someone really cares about the neighborhood they’re running a business in.

Sandeep Salter

It Stimulates the Local Economy

According to the multiplier effect, the collective revenue from our businesses have the power to help local development by ensuring it stays in the community. Here’s a good example of how the multiplier effect influences community development:

A restaurant buying ingredients from local producers uses a local insurance broker and hires a local design firm, building symbiotic relationships that help the whole business community prosper. 

Dayna Winter

For every $100 spent at local businesses, approximately $68 stays in the community. According to the American Independent Business Alliance, “independent retailers return more than three times as much money per dollar of sales to the community in which they operate than chain competitors. Independent restaurants return more than two times as much money per dollar of sales than national restaurant chains.” So when you and I choose to shop small, our dollars become our vote to keep these local businesses going not just directly, but for the entire community as well.

How Can I Support Small Businesses?

Small businesses are important to the economic and social fabric of our society, and we all play a part in their survival.

Dayna Winter

In my personal opinion, everyone has the ability to support small businesses. True, shopping local may not be the most affordable or most convenient option compared to shopping at a large national chain. However, there are MANY ways we can support our local economies each in our unique capacities. Here are some ways you can support small and make a difference:

  • Buy a present from a local gift shop or the little bookstore downtown
  • Try out that new restaurant that just opened up (even if it’s just for appetizers or dessert!)
  • Purchase a house plant from a local nursery
  • Visit your local farmer’s market. Chances are you’ll find the vibrant selection of produce to be exceedingly fresh!
  • Purchase gift cards to local establishments to use later or as a gift!
  • Engage on social media platforms and leave positive reviews for small businesses.
  • Be patient on existing orders. Small businesses don’t always have the resources to run as efficiently as national chains, so a little patience goes a long way!

And lastly, even if you are not at a place to support local businesses through a product or service purchase, remember that you can always support them through your kind words (whether in person or online!)

So next time you’re in need of products or services, think local. Support small. Let’s choose to build up one another in our communities and share the little encouragement we all need from time to time 🙂

View this post on Instagram

WE BOUGHT A HOUSE PLANT! 🌱 . . Even before we started dating, Evan & I have always loved supporting local businesses — we believe that our buying choices do make a difference and we love getting to pour back into the community in this way, so we’re always on the lookout for new businesses in town to support! 99.99% of the time, the owners of these stores are the friendliest (and funniest) people and are super passionate about what they do — we love learning from them about all kinds of things from screws to boats to polenta to plants! . This weekend, we explored Lawrence and went to the Jungle House (thanks @sarah_anne_toevs for the tips!) and had so much fun! The employees were so kind & helped us understand all the different plants and how to care for them, plus they helped us pick out the most low maintenance plant ever that we’ll only have to water once a month 💦 . . so here’s a BIG yay to the prettiest store, the opportunity to #ShopLocal, more colors for our home, and new friendships with the coolest cats in town ☀️

A post shared by Michelle Laviona Schmidt (@dwellbymichelle) on Oct 13, 2019 at 6:57pm PDT

in Lifestyle # business, lifestyle, local, smallbusiness, support

Reader Interactions

you may also like
CAUSEBOX Winter 2021 Review + $10 Coupon!
Cratejoy Review (2021): 7 Best Cratejoy Subscription Boxes To Try This Month
13+ Must-Try Wine Subscription Boxes and Best Wine Clubs in 2021
(2021) MasterClass Cooking Review: Is The MasterClass Culinary Arts Course Any Good?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi there!

Welcome to DWELL: my little corner of the internet filled with simple recipes, travel tips, and lifestyle inspiration. Here, you'll find lots of ideas for easy + delicious recipes from all over the world.

Cheers,

Join our Mailing List!

lifestyle tips and good food, right in your inbox!

Follow Along


Featured

Vegan Tacos: Lobster Mushroom Recipe (GF, DF, VG)

Affiliate Disclaimer

DWELL by michelle receives commissions on purchases made through our affiliate links to retailers.

Footer

Looking for Something?

Pages

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

  • Vegan Tacos: Lobster Mushroom Recipe (GF, DF, VG)
  • Mushroom Rice Pilaf with Roasted Hatch Chiles (GF, V)
  • Homemade Peanut Butter Crackers (Ritz Copycat Recipe)
  • CAUSEBOX Winter 2021 Review + $10 Coupon!

On Instagram

Outdoors Date Night! 🥰 @thefeedfeed x @epicbar Outdoors Date Night! 🥰
@thefeedfeed x @epicbar [ spon ]

In honor of this warmer morning today, here’s a photo of Evan and me in the snowy cold last week ❄️ 

Every week, we love setting aside time for a date! While it’s typically filled with sushi, burgers, and good convos, we decided to switch it up! So last week, I convinced Evan to join me for some snow fun outside⛄️ 

I mean, does anyone else get so fidgety after staying indoors all day?? 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

Anyways, knowing what we know now (that both of us get #hangry SOO fast when we’re cold), we decided to stop by our local @themerccoop to buy a few of our favorite #epicbar bites and strips. 🛒 We typically change up the flavors we get, but this time, we chose to go with the Bison Bites, Chicken Sriracha Bites, Salmon Strip, and Chicken Strip!

And let me tell you- these are amazing if you want a super easy way to re-fuel on-the-go! 💪🏼 

💥 Right now, ALL Epic Provisions items are on SALE at local co-ops nationwide until March 2nd! That means you can get:
💥 3 bars for $5
💥2 rinds $5
💥Bites for $4.49
💥2 strips for $3
💥Broths for $4.49

so hey, while we stock up around here, you can find YOUR local co-op by visiting bit.ly/find-coop :)

Do you guys have fun plans today? This weekend? Let me know! ⬇️😊

#EpicSnacks #themercoop #feedfeed
Who says you need pine nuts or basil to make delic Who says you need pine nuts or basil to make delicious pesto??⁣
⁣
⁣⁣This creamy walnut parsley pesto sauce features fresh parsley and toasted walnuts, and requires NO pine nuts and NO basil! ⁣
⁣
Oh, and did I mention this easy pesto recipe can be made ahead, and only takes 10 minutes to make?⁣
⁣
⁣⁣FULL RECIPE: https://dwellbymichelle.com/creamy-walnut-parsley-pesto-sauce/ (link in bio!)
Today, I woke up exhausted. And not just the “oh Today, I woke up exhausted. And not just the “oh I could use 5 more minutes” kind of tired. But “whoa, I feel like I got hit by a truck” kind. So instead of pushing harder, I chose to rest.

How? I’ve been saving my PTO’s for months (seriously, I’ve worked so hard and was extra intentional about setting aside time), so I have the option to take the day off for days like this.

I’m thankful I have gracious supervisors who believe in the importance of getting things done, but also in a healthy work-life balance.

And here’s what I’ve learned: rest could happen anywhere, anytime (yes, including the middle of the work week!) But creating pockets of time to rest is so vital - this is God’s gift to us!

Could I have found an excuse to not rest in the billion things on my to do list? YES. But.. I chose to do so. The world will keep spinning, and today, I will have a slow morning. A time to refresh, a time to be reinvigorated.

Don’t be overwhelmed, it’s ok to stop. Really, I mean that. It’s healthy to our bodies, mind and spirit.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28

So now that I’m awake, you can find me in under a mountain of blankets just slowly reading, sipping on some @artemistherapeutics Chamba Broth, taking a long bath with @cobigelow #HerbalComfortSoak, baking something exciting with REAL vanilla beans later today, and most of all - being more present in the moment.

How are you slowing down today? And how do you find REST?

#DWELLbyMichelle #cobigelow (discount code : dwell10 )
A good friend of mine from Kerala recently sent me A good friend of mine from Kerala recently sent me her recipe of their famous (and authentic) Kerala style beef curry. So naturally, I made the dish that very night.⁣
⁣
All I could say is “OH. MY. GOODNESS. This is SO good.” 🔥⁣
⁣
This easy Kerala style beef curry recipe takes less than an hour to make. And the result? Incredibly tender cuts of beef marinated in the most flavorful spices. Pair it with a bowl of fluffy, warm Basmati rice, and get ready because this beef curry recipe is about to BLOW YOUR MIND. 🤯⁣
⁣
FULL RECIPE: https://dwellbymichelle.com/kerala-beef-curry/ (link in bio! @dwellbymichelle)
SUSTAINABLE SHOPPING So my Winter @causebox FINAL SUSTAINABLE SHOPPING

So my Winter @causebox FINALLY arrived on Friday - and I am SOOO in love with everything in my box! ☀️

If you've been around for a while, you might remember that I bought myself a Causebox subscription for my birthday last year, and I've only continued to love this company and the ethical sustainability that they stand behind! It's like the products are just a bonus 😉

Anywaaaays, you can check out my 27-second Reel for the full unboxing (+ explanation for how each brand is sustainable/ethical), but here's a quick "Sparksnotes" list if ya just want a quick lowdown! 👇🏼👇🏼

In my box this quarter, I received:
1️⃣ Cozy Cloud Wrap from @threadandsupply ($115)
2️⃣ Truffle Therapy Face Toner from @skinandco ($30)
3️⃣ Reusable Silicone Baking Sheets from @activatedeco ($24)
4️⃣ Yearly Planner from @idlewildco ($32)
5️⃣ Heathered Slouchy Socks from @maggiesorganics ($25)
6️⃣ Thick Gold Hoops from @sanctuary_project ($38)

ANNNDD…(bonus!) 
7️⃣ the most beautiful box and postcard designed by @sacree_frangine!

I've literally been living in my Cozy Cloud Wrap (just ask Evan!) and have gotten to use all these products, but what's really cool about @causebox is how each brand they feature gives back to the community through various sustainable and ethical missions -- and if ya know me, you know I'm all about that!

Anyways, pardon me now while I go bake some cookies using my new silicone sheets (in my Cozy Cloud Wrap, of course) 🍪☁️ 

>> Want a box? Take $10 off (link in bio! @dwellbymichelle)

>> FULL REVIEW: https://dwellbymichelle.com/causebox-winter-2021-review/ (link also in bio!)
Start with a thin, pancake-like batter and a hot s Start with a thin, pancake-like batter and a hot skillet. Pour the batter into the skillet all at once and slide it into a hot oven. Within a few minutes, the batter will start to puff around the edges, rising higher and higher until this “pancake” looks more like a poofy pillow. Once those edges turn golden and you can’t resist the sweet aroma of baked goods any longer, it’s ready.⁣
⁣
Out of the oven, the Dutch baby will quickly collapse back into the pan — the steam holding it up quickly evaporates in the cooler air of your kitchen. But no bother — what’s left behind is a pancake with the soft, tender texture of a hot crepe.⁣
⁣
➡ Learn how to make a GF Dutch Baby: https://dwellbymichelle.com/savory-dutch-baby/ (link in bio! @dwellbymichelle)⁣
⁣
#DutchBaby #DWELLbyMichelle⁣
⁣
.
2021 © DWELL by Michelle
theme by soleilflare