Recently while surfing a major social media site named "F" on my personal profile, I came across a post on a local user group that stated "(This group) has evolved into nothing more than promotional posts for local small businesses." And while everyone is entitled to their opinion, I thought as a small business owner I would weigh in on the matter. Most small businesses -aka- "Mom and Pop" shops don’t have the luxury of a seven-figure marketing budget or campaign allocated to them that large scale Fortune 500 retailers and service providers do. We rely on word of mouth, social media, and local print and advertisement to get our point across. Which means you will rarely, if ever see our advertisements on TV or hear of us on radio for exposure to our goods and services.
And while this may sound contrite and magnanimous - personally speaking, as a small business owner I (Nova Tech), among others serve the community that we live in by creating jobs and supporting other small businesses along the way (utilizing their services) and relish the opportunity to leverage our skills and knowledge to help neighbors solve their issues (case in point - my last customer lived literally less than half a mile from my own home).
Our customers are not some faceless, nameless entity that is put on hold for eternity when dialing in to an 800 number (often overseas), but our peers and those that live across the street. We sponsor, and coach the local Little League and High School football team. The dollars we make go directly back into the community we serve.
Small businesses are credited with just under two-thirds (63%) of the new jobs created from 1995 to 2021 or 17.3 million new jobs. Small businesses represent 97.3% of all exporters and 32.6% of known export value ($413.3 billion). They also employ almost half (46%) of America's private sector workforce and represent 43.5% of gross domestic product. By almost any measure, small businesses are a vital part of the American economy and workforce. Think about that the next time you try an save a buck at "W-mart” LINK
Towards the end of the year and the holidays - all I ask is that you think twice about ordering off that website or from that major retailer. Yeah, you may save a buck or two. But have you established a relationship? Have you established a bond with your neighbor and more importantly your local community. Have you helped your community? As a consumer, if you're not willing to do that, how can you protest when we SBO's take up some scroll time on your "F" book feed?
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Thanks for your time. Rob @ Nova Technologies
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