What Are You Doing For Your Local Economy?
In the news we hear of layoffs, small businesses going out of business and other job-destruction information. It can be quite depressing – and it is tough right now, but life is never as bad as the media makes it out to be. Always remember to be thankful to God for everything He has provided.
All my life, when I have seen struggling stores that I would hate to see disappear, I made a deliberate effort to stop by at least once a month and buy something from them and send my friends to them. I did not look for sale prices – my goal is to keep the store in business. I figured if more people did this, more small local businesses would survive. Now, I find myself on the other side of the counter, so to speak.
In light of recent economies, more people are expressing concerns along this same framework. One of the largest national promotions is the 3/50 project. Their goal is to give local people tools to help save their small local businesses. It was created to build loyalty and increased revenue for independent, locally owned businesses. The 3/50 project relies on a simple message: “Pick 3. Spend 50. Save your local economy.” (Read more about this project at: http://www.the350project.net/ ).
• Pick three locally owned businesses you’d hate to see disappear, then return to them.
• Spend $50 per month in locally owned businesses. If half the employed U.S.
population did so, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.
• For every $100 spent in locally owned businesses, $68 returns to the local
community. When spent in a big box, chain, or franchise, $43 remains. Purchases made online return nothing to the local economy (unless the online store is local).
So, it is a simple matter, find 3 favorite stores and buy something from them every month. It all adds up if everybody chips in! We hope you will make Unique Motif your favorite store. If everyone receiving this newsletter would purchase $20 per month, we will be able to keep our doors open. Yes, we do need your help. We want to give you the best deals – and we want and need your help keeping our doors open. Buy something every month – refer us to your friends – ask them to sign up for our newsletter.
Thank you.
[...] favorite local stores blogs. Of course, Dean is such a great write you should read what he says here and here. The projects website is awesome (looks nice too) and describes the idea very well [...]