Independent? Support Independence and Indies
Independents Week July 1 – 7 marks a week long celebration of doing business with locally owned businesses. The event, organized by the American Independent Business Association (AMIBA) encourages consumers to shop local by impressing upon them the fact that their local expenditures make a difference.
Albuquerque Independent Business Alliance, AIBA, promotes its third consecutive Indie Week with an event at Gardunos on the Green on July 5th. ‘Keep it Querque’ is a mantra that is gaining some traction in the Duke City. Endorsed by the City’s Economic Development Department and promoted with a small and cohesive branding effort, AIBA is making progress in publicizing the shop local theme and currently has more than 150 members.
As a small business marketing consultant, I frequently talk with independent business owners. At the same time, I confess to also shopping at Costco and Target, and conducting the occasional meeting from Starbucks. And, since I serve on the board of directors for AIBA, I frequently evaluate my shopping patronage.
Holly Hitzemann, a local manufacturer, talked with me about independent entrepreneurship recently. Holly launched Perennial Toys, a global brand of eco-conscious bath toys, eighteen month ago. In that short period of time she has racked up more than $200,000 in development costs. People frequently talk about the impact of small business; this is it. Every new business, even in development, contributes to the economy.
In the case of Perennial Toys, more than 30 businesses (many of them independent, locally owned) have benefited from expenditures that Perennial has made. These vendors are stakeholders; they have a vested interest in Perennial’s success. Across the country, Independent Business Alliances verify the fact that local stores spend more of their revenues with other local businesses.
It may take a conscious effort to shop local. Check out this Business Week debate "Let's Shop Mom and Pop" on the subject. Still not convinced? The original review of “Independent America” in Route 66 News offers additional fodder. Read “Big Box Swindle” by Stacy Mitchell. Look at your own shopping habits. As a fellow board member puts it: you could make a tremendous difference by simply committing 10% of your expenditures to local, independently owned businesses.
Albuquerque Independent Business Alliance, AIBA, promotes its third consecutive Indie Week with an event at Gardunos on the Green on July 5th. ‘Keep it Querque’ is a mantra that is gaining some traction in the Duke City. Endorsed by the City’s Economic Development Department and promoted with a small and cohesive branding effort, AIBA is making progress in publicizing the shop local theme and currently has more than 150 members.
As a small business marketing consultant, I frequently talk with independent business owners. At the same time, I confess to also shopping at Costco and Target, and conducting the occasional meeting from Starbucks. And, since I serve on the board of directors for AIBA, I frequently evaluate my shopping patronage.
Holly Hitzemann, a local manufacturer, talked with me about independent entrepreneurship recently. Holly launched Perennial Toys, a global brand of eco-conscious bath toys, eighteen month ago. In that short period of time she has racked up more than $200,000 in development costs. People frequently talk about the impact of small business; this is it. Every new business, even in development, contributes to the economy.
In the case of Perennial Toys, more than 30 businesses (many of them independent, locally owned) have benefited from expenditures that Perennial has made. These vendors are stakeholders; they have a vested interest in Perennial’s success. Across the country, Independent Business Alliances verify the fact that local stores spend more of their revenues with other local businesses.
It may take a conscious effort to shop local. Check out this Business Week debate "Let's Shop Mom and Pop" on the subject. Still not convinced? The original review of “Independent America” in Route 66 News offers additional fodder. Read “Big Box Swindle” by Stacy Mitchell. Look at your own shopping habits. As a fellow board member puts it: you could make a tremendous difference by simply committing 10% of your expenditures to local, independently owned businesses.
Labels: community communication, critical audience: stakeholders, independent business
posted by the profitmeister at
1:43 PM
3 Comments:
Yes, I thought of AIBA as I was buying about 150 pounts of dirt and mulch on Saturday at Lowes. I do try to balance it out - bought plants at Plants of the Southwest (in Jackalope) on Sunday.
(P.S. For you quirky fellow querquers, Plants of the SW is having a sale!)
And, I don't think local indies (and shoppers) appreciate the power of the "fun factor" as much as we should. I too shop at Target, but not so much for the prices as because I can get great style and cool stuff for very little - and can always find something in the dollar bins that's - well- fun!
Local places that are fun include Jackalope, Hey Jhonny, The A Store, The Flying Star, Barelas Coffee House, and Celebro. Then there's Peacecraft, Relish, The Albuquerque Museum gift shop, Church Street Cafe...well, you get the idea. We're extremely lucky here in Albuquerque to have so many wonderful locally-owned, high-qualiiy, querque/quirky choices.
So, note to indies, you can beat the big boys with the personal touch, great service, and some fun stuff. Do the unexpected, have something cool by the cash register, etc. Make visiting you, talking to you a fun experience.
I too juggle my patronage between big box on occasion and Albuquerque indie biz. Most recently, I went into Burning Paradise Video downtown feeling confident I'd be in and out much more quickly than at Hollywood Video or Blockbuster. Not only was I out in a flash, they offer 3 movies for 3 bucks on Wednesdays. Can't beat it!
Also thought of AIBA when I saw the following in an e-newsletter published by the Assocation for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO): "New Study Shows Locally Owned Firms Generate Greater Economic Activity than Chain Stores". This may seem somewhat obvious but the numbers are quite telling when job creation and follow up spending are forecasted. To read more about the San Francisco study, see http://www.civiceconomics.com/SF/SFRDS_Summary_May07.pdf
When I started AIBA, I was passionated about this issue, yet wasn't in a situation where outside corporate competition was an issue. In the last few years, however, I now have a corporate chain massage store (three in fact) in Albuquerque.
The fact remains that we Indies need to carve out our own niche, excel at customer service, and remain committed to our local community, and in doing so, hopefully enjoy longevity alongside whatever outside forces join us in Albuquerque.
Happy Indie Week, indeed.
Post a Comment
<< Home