The holidays have crept up on us once again, and now more than ever, fulfilling your holiday wishlist with unique gifts from local businesses is just as critical as it is enjoyable.
Small shops are the lifeblood of local economies. As of December 2021, small businesses with 500 or fewer employees made up over 99% of the American economy, with 32,540,953 million small businesses, compared to 20,516 large businesses. Roughly two-thirds of all newly-created jobs in the US can be attributed to small businesses. Earlier this year, Forbes asserted that “small businesses employ more people and are more resilient when times get tough.” Income generated by small businesses tends to stay within the community; small business owners tend to live in the same community as their business, local businesses pay local taxes, and shops often support other independent vendors when restocking basic supplies or merchandise. By keeping more of our money in our neighborhoods, we help to make sure that they remain beautiful, enjoyable places to live.
The more small businesses there are, the lower the barrier to entry seems – a sentiment that popped up quite frequently in interviews for Spotlight Series articles on this blog. Many business owners cited Milwaukee’s culture of supporting small as one of the key factors in deciding to set up shop here rather than in a larger city like Chicago. By shopping small, we support existing makers and marts while simultaneously laying the groundwork for more independent organizations to develop.
Whether hunting for goods or services, online or in person, small businesses are often more dedicated to customer service than most big box stores, with owners willing to go the extra mile to make sure you get just what you’re looking for. Behind every small business is a small business owner doing a happy dance with each order placed, appointment booked, or product sold. The human connections formed by shopping small simply do not exist in big box stores.
Often made by hand in small batches, products sold by small businesses tend to be more sustainable and less damaging to the earth than their mass-manufactured counterparts. Small businesses tend to operate on thin margins, which means that they have to get creative when it comes to budgeting. Many successfully keep costs low by using less, reusing when possible, and producing smaller quantities – behaviors that all effectively reduce waste and the carbon footprint of the overall business.
If sale-scouring is on your to-do list this weekend, keep small businesses in mind! This whole weekend, (November 25, 26, and 27), The Workbench will be offering 10% off of all Made in Milwaukee Holiday gift sets with code SUPPORTSMALL, so you can buy a few for your family, friends, coworkers, or yourself knowing that you’re getting the best price and supporting five(!) small businesses in the process. We recommend taking advantage of the sale to add on a one-of-a-kind, upcycled mug at checkout! And as for small businesses being dedicated to customer service, feel free to reach out via email or DM with any questions or comments about The Workbench or holiday gift sets.
Most importantly, remember to take time for yourself in between the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Whether that’s inviting a friend to get a coffee and shop small with you or reading an extra page in your book before bed, here’s a gentle holiday reminder that the most important things in life cannot be bought or sold. As the holidays draw nearer, The Workbench encourages you to carve out a little extra time to find what makes you feel well.
