Find ways to get the small business owners in your area involved. There is certain level of apathy among small business owners because they understand the odds are stacked against them and they do not feel like there is anyone on their side. The How: Literally go door to door to spread the Shop Small Challenge Mission. If you are interested in this I will send you a packet of Shop Small Challenge business flyers. Collect business cards from those you talk to and send them my way via photo. Organize a Shop Small Challenge vendor event, find a local park or community center. Charge no more than $20 per booth and talk to small restaurants about have samplers, rent a bounce house etc. to help bring the community in. Use the money to strictly pay for the space, extras and the rest for your time organizing it. Shop Small is not for profit, but cannot be a nonprofit because we have every intention of be a political force.
Help create awareness that your friends and family that are business owners are working very hard to make a better life in an ever-increasing hostile environment. You don’t go into Walmart, find a product you think is overpriced and call the Walton’s to complain about why you won’t buy their products. You don’t go to Walmart and get annoyed with their sales and clearance signs and get mad that they are forcing their sales upon you. We need to find ways to flip the switch. Help others understand why shopping small is beneficial not just economically, but also beneficial for the community in so many different aspects. Buying exactly what you want through a small business that sells a specific realm of products is cheaper than filling a cart full of stuff you do not need. Shop Small, Shop Specific. How: The best way to show this is to do it yourself and talk about it. Make sure those you talk to understand it is ok to have a “retail relapse” at a Mega Mart, but to turn it back around to the mission of shopping small. Even if that means adding one business at a time to their shopping regimen that is small. Every little bit counts. Be aware of what small businesses there are so that you can easily recommend a great place to buy a floral arrangement, or an antique store, or an architect. Make contact with small businesses and direct sale businesses.
Direct Sales Consultants: These people are also trying to make a living without the benefit of a store front. They are not trying to annoy you or pressure you, they are genuinely trying to make a living and create a better life for their families. There are also a lot of up and coming direct sales companies that are fighting for safer ingredients for the American people. Of course, do your research about the company you are buying from, but at the same time we need to flip the switch for these people as well. How: Think of them with more respect, talk about them with more respect. These people normally sell things they are very passionate about and very knowledgeable about. They are great resources when shopping specifically.
Keep me, Manda Jones (Amanda Barnhart) in the loop about your activities so we can work together and I know what my organization is doing. Keep it posted on Shop Small Challenge’s Facebook page or group to show the spread and gravity of this organization. We need people who are VERY passionate about small business and making a change from the ground up.
Political Activism: Start communication with the small businesses and find out what would benefit them that your local government could assist with. Gather signatures, attend city meetings on behalf of the small businesses. Then begin to climb the chain from there. Be there to argue against Mega Marts coming into your communities. Be a voice for the little guy!