What have you done for someone else lately? In what way have you supported someone’s business or career? While our individual effort propels our success, we have all had times when the added support of our friends, family and network have moved us along a little faster than had we gone it alone.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure that many of us truly understand the impact that our individual support can have.
An owner of a small business in a small town once told me how people in her town would come into her store, tell her how much they loved it and how happy they were to have her there, and then walk out empty handed. Her store is no longer in business.
It’s this story that drives me to shop locally as much as I can. Sure, I might pay a dollar more for something at the grocery store in the small town near my lake cabin, but I would rather spend that extra dollar than have the store disappear altogether.
I bring this up as a tangible example of what we can do to support each other. Most of us know someone who has a small business or sells something that we need. Coffee shop owners need you to buy from them instead of a big chain. Artists need you to buy their art, not simply admire it. Your friend who sells cars can get you any previously owned car you seek and probably will give you a good deal, too. That young adult who just started a new sales career needs you to listen to what they can offer and to recommend their services to your network. And you can just as easily find a gift in a small local boutique as you can at one of the big box stores.
True, we can support one another with our words and that can be very pleasing to hear. However, when it comes to true support we all need to remember to put our money where our mouth is by supporting friends, family and our network with our hard-earned cash. This is tangible, measurable support that makes a real difference to those who receive it.
Support The 3/50 Project. Pick three local businesses and spend $50 at those locations each month. Can’t afford that? Pick one. Or spend $20. Support your network and your community.
