Mindful Business

Here are 5 easy ways you can help prevent local businesses from going under

The Small Business Pulse Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau in December 2020 shows that 53% of small businesses don’t expect to return to pre-Covid operations for at least the next six months. I’ve been trying to paint the picture to my local connections of what that could look like. Think of your top 10 favorite locally owned restaurants, clothing boutiques, running stores, artists, and entertainment businesses. Which 5 would you be OKAY with failing to thrive by the end of this year?

• If you are buying anything, there is rarely a reason you can’t find it locally. You may have to pay a few dollars more, but if you are someone who donates a few bucks to the PTA, rounds up your store purchases for the charity of the month, buys Girl Scout cookies or Boy Scout popcornthen what’s the difference? When you buy local and not online you are supporting your neighbors and their families.

• While you’re there, tip more than usual if you are able.

The service industry is the hardest hit. The challenges they’ve endured include moving to carry-out only services, diminished capacity, less open hours, and under-staffing. In the past,

I would not have felt guilty about not tipping on an order

I called in and picked up. However, I fill out that “tip” line every single time now 20% and round up. And if the staffer is particularly charming, I’ll give them more. It means the world to that server.

• Word of mouth is still the number one way to grow business.

Be intentional on sharing and promoting local businesses you support. Post your experience to social media, write them Google, Yelp and Facebook reviews, comment on posts on the Next Door app when you see your neighbors asking for recommendation.

• Engage with them in a new way. If your favorite local business is still here, 13+ months after COVID-19 shut everything down, they have adapted their services. They likely have an online store, curbside pickup, delivery, or started new services to continue to bring in income.

FiftyCentLove Photographie

MINDFUL BUSINESS

By Beth Bell

Executive Summary: Shop and eat Locally as much as possible.

• Point them to the resources that can help them. Have them call me personally at the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce and I will point them to sources of funding, low cost and effective marketing strategies, and free, local small business development resources.

It’s time for everyone to do their part to continue to love our local businesses and help them get back to thriving.

Beth Bell is the executive director for the SalemRoanoke County Chamber of Commerce and helped found FemCity Roanoke, a business networking community for women. Contact her at bethboydbell@gmail.com.