Amanda Jones is one of Ideal Home's new Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts on sustainable living and decorating a home in way that is good for the environment. See the rest of her articles here.
I’m writing this after spending a weekend amongst a group of young, female entrepreneurs. In a time where young adults are finding life financially quite difficult, I was impressed with their vision, and their determination to make their businesses work, and provide them with an income.
In my last article, I talked about my pledge to support small artists more, especially after seeing how hard my own daughter had to work, to establish her art business Art By Mia Jones. In this article, I want to expand on this idea, by discussing the benefits of supporting small businesses.
My whole adult life, I’ve tried to be an advocate for small, independent businesses. This probably stems from spending my childhood, growing up in my own parents’ ‘corner’ shop. I saw how hard they worked to keep the business going, especially after the first big corporate supermarket came into town. I also saw how integral they were to the local community, how they in turn, supported local independents suppliers. A chain of interconnection and mutual coexistence, that enhanced the whole community, and local commerce.
During my years on Instagram, I’ve tried to promote and advocate for small businesses, over large corporations with huge advertising budgets. I’ve had some brilliant, positive experiences when making purchases from them. My budget might be tight, but I always prioritise buying from smaller independent enterprises if I can, even if their prices may be a little higher, and I may need to save a little longer.
Through Instagram I’ve met some amazing small business owners, who I’ve built a rapport with, many of which I’ve been a loyal customer for years. Once I’ve found the right product and level of service, you have me as a customer for life. This week I’ve been reflecting on why I love smaller businesses so much, and why I prefer to spend my cash with them, over a large corporation.
The personal touch
I’ve found over the years the level of service I get is far, far superior to anything I get from a larger corporation. There’s a real human being on the end of a phone, or email, rather than an automated reply. Whether that is to find out more about a product, or to customise an order, the communication is always so much more effective, and less likely to make me feel frustrated and stressed. If there’s an issue, it’s dealt with quickly, by a real person.
I’m done with the logistical nightmare of trying to find a customer service number in a large corporation, increasingly there is none to find, it’s almost like they don’t want to communicate with us.
Personal service is much more important to me than any possible savings I might make, from a ‘click, next day delivery’ platform. With a small business, as their customer, you really are at the heart of what they do, and they truly appreciate your custom.
Expertise and knowledge
You are more likely to be buying from someone with a particular expertise. They will have an in-depth understanding of their products, therefore be able to advice and support you with your purchases. Whether that is the best moisturiser to put on your skin type, or the most durable fabric to use on your heavy-duty sofa.
These people know their business and know how best to advise you. Over the years I’ve saved so much time, energy and money by tapping into the expertise of small business owners.
Maintaining a greater choice and diversity
The more enterprises there are out there, the better it is for us as customers. Be that physical shops, or online ones, the more choice we have the better.
When one or two large corporations monopolise, customers can easily become less important than profit, and because there is so little competition out there, standards can slip.
We need to protect that diversity at all costs, and we can do that by syphoning more of our money away from the big players. We may think that having an online shop open 24/7 gives us much more choice, but the fact is, it has ultimately closed so many small businesses, lessening our choices.
Local is even better
If I can shop locally I will, although this is harder now with the demise of our high street. I will always support a small coffee shop over a chain for example. Local businesses not only employ local people, but they also keep cash circulating around the local community, just like my parents’ business did in the70s and 80s.
We’ve all heard reports of mega corporations avoiding taxes, small businesses don’t have the same power or loopholes, personally, I would prefer any spare cash I do have, going to them.
They are supporting their local community and services and should be rewarded for that.
Because they work so hard
Behind that small business is a person, or a small group of people working very, very hard.
They must be all things to everyone. Not only do they have to produce/source products, but they also have to manage the business, be accountant, understand legal requirements, advertising, customer service, packaging and postage.
If they sell online, they also must navigate the ever-elusive algorithm, it’s certainly no level playing field. It’s hard work and hats off to anyone embarking on this.
Obviously, these are my own opinions, based on my own experiences, but it is an area I feel particularly passionate about. As usual there are some exceptions to this, as a disabled person, who has mobility challenges, shopping online can be brilliant.
For those who are time poor, and looking for a convenient way to shop, I understand why you choose an easier option. There is a place for both, but I would like to see a more balance of power.
If by reading this, I’ve given you some food for thought, next time you want to make a purchase, pause. Don’t automatically click on that large ‘buy now, next day delivery’ sites you usually do. Is there a small business out there, with the product you require, that you could support? Do a little research.
You may have to wait a day or two longer for delivery, but you’ll also be keeping our shopping diversity alive, and that I believe, will benefit us all.
