How to support Small Businesses while social distancing

Man, we are living through such an interesting time. I’ve met my new niece via FaceTime, I’ve attended a baby shower on Zoom and I just finished designing a “trucker friendly” dining guide for my local community. Our local business owners and fellow citizens need us now more than ever!

One of the fun ways I volunteer is serving as the chair of my local Tourism Committee. We are not a big town with a lot to do, but we more going on here than we realized. In this role I get to brainstorm and be creative with volunteers and the Director of our local chamber of commerce. I have been so amazed at the way this business community has stepped up to support and help each other during this trying time. They are buying food from each other, getting online resources together and a new community Facebook Group that has grown to almost 1600 members in 3 short weeks.

Our business climate will look different when we reconnect post Covi-19 social distancing. Hopefully many, like ours, will be stronger, more supportive, and way more creative in the way they share their inventory and services with our community members. Just today I heard from a business owner who received her small business load payout and will get to hire back all her staff next week. These types of economic investments will be huge for the strength of our local, hometown communities moving forward. But, the question still sits before us: How can I support local small businesses while maintaining social distancing?

My 10 Tips (and 2 bonus thoughts) for supporting small businesses during the shut down are taken from feedback and first-hand experience as a solopreneur myself with two businesses that slowed almost to a halt.

So, what can you do right now to keep supporting local small businesses in your community?

1. Buy gift cards for future use. Whether its a place you’ve been wanting to visit or a favorite boutique where you frequently shop, spend money now and redeem it later. They will want foot traffic from you when they can hug your neck and let you try on clothes and eat all kinds of extra pieces of cornbread. Don’t forget about graduation gifts. The Class of 2020 will still celebrate at some point and you want them to feel loved on and special. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are coming up and let’s not even talk about people who have to celebrate birthdays during this time. They need all kinds of extra love!
2. Intentionally plan curbside or delivery into your meal planning, at least once a week. Apparently Take Out Tuesday has become a thing. But, keep supporting businesses like you would if you were face to face sharing a bowl of queso. Just bring it home and share it on your back patio table or under a living room fort. MY son will forever be convinced that a “back car picnic” is a must because he and I have at least one lunch date a week in the back of our car in a random parking lot.
3. Maintain your monthly subscriptions and catch up later with extra services. It will all come out in the wash. If you are able to keep your monthly services going, do so. I promise your cleaning lady will have plenty to keep her busy and catch up when she has to come back and clean up after you’ve been the one in charge of dusting detail.
4. Hire out work you would usually do – grocery pick up, yard work, tip delivery. Maybe you just don’t have it in you to do all the extra things this time requires. Put your ear to the ground and find out if there is someone who has been laid off or furloughed who could use a little extra money from tips or services around your house. And if you are someone who could provide these services, don’t b afraid to share your service opportunities.
5. Share about your favorite businesses on social media platforms and what new things you are discovering and loving! I mentioned above that my local community has as FAcebook Group to share about daily specials and to find missing services. It has been so encouraging to watch people post new food they are discovering by another’s recommendation and so many people in the comments learning for the first time that we have a homemade bread and pastry bakery on the edge of town, a drive-thru coffee shop, fruit in a cup covered with Tajin, and a restaurant that serves the best pancakes, burger, and taco all out of the same place! Sharing the love and telling these stories has brought new business for so many locations.
6. For bloggers and social media influencers, like, comment and share their content – leave a message on their blog. We talk often in this space about showing the blogger love. But seriously, slow down, comment on posts, reply to Stories, connect the dots between people and just enjoy that life is slower and you can participate in the conversation.
7. As you are cleaning out your cabinets and closets, consider replacing your products with something sold by a friend or local business – essential oils, cleaning products, makeup, nail care, vitamins, and supplements, Its hard to go cold turkey and replace everything at once, so consider replacing items one at a time. I’ve seen several posts where people are asking friends who sell products to just post a link to their page in the comments. I’ve learned about all kinds of things from nails, to skincare, to pet services that are all from people I’m connected with through social.
8. Participate in a virtual pop up shop. Whether your favorite boutique owner is showing off her new spring line (just remember your budget was preparing for an Easter dress so you have a little extra to play with!). This morning my hairstylist was hosing a virtual auction for the products she sells in her store. It was cool to see everything from Disney character detangler brushes, to salon professional shampoos, hair wax my boys use and all the other goopy product-loving things in between. Small business owners are getting creative, especially those who are not in the dining space. So play along and support where you can.
9. Plan ahead. Are there upcoming birthday gifts you could purchase from a maker? Or could you get started on Christmas presents or commissions? Same thoughts at point one – don’t sit around now and go last minute later when you could help cash flow through the businesses you love while you still can.
10. Plan to offer a bigger tip where you can, when we come back – services like stylists have just been sitting on the sidelines waiting for their business to be able to open again. Make plans now for big tips and showing lots of love through extras when we can come back together. 

Bonus thoughts:

1. Register for the Census – local funding and representation will be based on the numbers represented in your community count! It seriously takes like 5 minutes total.
2. If you know a small business owner, reach out and just show them some love. Yes, money in heir pocket shows love and we’ve covered that, but just reach out human to human with a little distance touch. Send a text once a week and ask them if they need anything – and that could mean someone to vent to. Take them a treat while they are loving on everyone else. Write a snail mail card or share their information and improve their engagement rates. As the saying goes, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Just care and love and be nice.

I’ve had to get creative and look at doing things different. Its kinda  nice to learn a new skill and tackle some of those “someday” lists. but I’m ready to start interacting with my people again and telling better, stronger stories of resolve and inclusion.