In the best of times, local business owners have to hustle to stay ahead. Because of the current Coronavirus pandemic and recommended safety measures, small business owners are now facing down one of the greatest challenges in modern history. We will get through this as a local community, but the economic fallout from it will be long-lasting.
Few will feel the long term affects of this more than the local businesses that make our community great. Supporting local business is the mission of Shelly Niehaus Photography, and, in that light, here is a list of a few things you can do to support local business without leaving the house.
1. Leave them a Google review.
Take a few minutes to think about the local businesses that you visit everyday. Your favorite eating establishment, hair dresser, nail salon, dentist, boutique shop, etc. Reflect on why you love their product/service and what you might be really missing during this quarantine phase. (Absence makes the heart grow fonder right?) Make a list of ten business and commit to leaving one review per day for the next ten days. Need a place to jog your memory? Check out your local chamber website.
2. Purchase a gift certificate.
A lot of us are home saving money by not eating out, shopping and spending money on entertainment. Use some of those funds to support local business. Purchase gift cards that can be used or given as gifts once things clam down and we get back to normal. The small businesses could really use the cash and you will be stocked up for birthday gifts, date nights and spa days.
3. Shop online. Shop Local.
With a lot the the big box stores having empty shelves this is a great time to transition to shopping local business. We purchased our eggs this week from a local farmer, Cartermere Farms, who also supplies food to local farm to table restaurants. With the restaurants closed these farmers have more food than normal. Its a win-win for everyone! We were able to order our eggs online and pick them up right at the farm! No crowds or long lines necessary.
4. Order local takeout or delivery
Ok moms! This one is for you. Give yourself a break from cooking three meals a day and cleaning up that kitchen. We love to cook and normally eat at home, but the endless clean up is hard. Just keeping it real! We have scheduled Wednesday nights and Saturday nights as takeout nights and it gives us some to all look forward to. Tonight we are ordering from our local favorite The Gin here in Prosper, TX. Check our favorite local business social media pages for updated menus and what they are offering for deliver. Again . . . everyone wins here!
5. Send a message of encouragement!
This may seem simple but simple acts of kindness really do go a long way these days. Find a way to contact the local business owner and send them an email, text, or Facebook message that you are thinking about them. I have been reaching out to local businesses each day with a simple text that tells them I am thinking + praying for them during this crazy time. In addition to these small businesses trying to hang on financially, they are parents who are now trying to homeschool or deal with sick family members and their world has been rocked too. Invest in these people and build a relationship with them that goes well beyond their business.
Finally, if you are a small business owner lean into your support group. We are all in this together and will do what it takes to support each other. Please know that I am praying for you and am here to help. I am going to use whatever platform I have to share with you anything and everything I can find to help you weather this storm and come out the other side ready to go. We got this!
SENIOR | FAMILY | TEENS | BRANDING
Shelly Niehaus Photography is a Prosper, TX-based senior and family photographer. I specialize in seniors, teens, family, and personal branding photography in the Dallas Fort Worth area. I also offer adoption photography for local families through the Red Thread Sessions and volunteer for The Gold Hope Project. For more information please contact me so we can start discussing your session.
