"Imagine how large the impact is when you not only shop at locally owned businesses, but shop at locally owned businesses who source locally and regionally? You'd be supporting a local business and a local artist/craftsperson at one time, and I can guarantee that the local business owner AND the craftsperson are both spending their money in the very same community."
~~ Ryan-Ashley Anderson, Arts Coordinator at HandMade in America
Reasons To Support Local Small Businesses
1. Your money stays in the Triad.
When you purchase at locally owned businesses rather than nationally owned, more money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing local helps grow other local businesses, improving your community as a whole.
2. Non Profits Receive Greater Support.
Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.
3. Environmental Impact Is Reduced.
Handmade artists often use recycled materials in a process called "upcycling," and many items are much more environmentally friendly since there is no use of large manufacturing machines, chemicals, labor and waste. In addition, local businesses require less transportation and consumption of natural resources.
4. Most New Jobs Are Provided By Local Businesses.
Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.
5. A new economy is rising.
When you buy handmade, you buy directly from the producer. You aren't lining the pockets of some corporation or distanced executive. You are taking part in a process of revising our economic model to one that rewards hard work, talent, creativity, initiative and personal responsibility.
6. Price vs. value.
Treasures are handmade with love and thought, not mass produced.
7. The items are much more fashion forward.
There is no "wait-time" for large businesses to design and then mass-produce. One indie designer can list something *today* that he/she made *today.* (So it wasn't designed and planned last Christmas...for this Christmas)
8. Sincerity.
People don’t hand craft things just to make money. They’re not just the product of a slick R&D department for profit. They make things that involve years of learned skills, passion, enthusiasm, commitment and sincerity.
When you buy handmade, you are getting something that is made with love by someone who loves what they do.
Saying "I love what you are doing" in turn keeps the artist "doing " it.
(These quotes have been glommed together from Local First, Poppytalk, and Sustainable Connections in an entirely inappropriately referenced manner. English teachers everywhere must be shaking their heads, as they add that too cute handknit scarf to their Etsy shopping carts.)
If you'd like, leave a comment about why YOU love to BUY HANDMADE!
(This blog post has been almost entirely borrowed from
