May is right around the corner, and with it comes celebrating National Small Business Month. There is no better time than NOW to support your favorite, locally-owned, small businesses! While fan favorites like Target, Amazon, Costco and Nordstrom have some amazing things we all can’t live without, it’s always worth considering whether the purchases you’re making with these large-scale organizations could be replaced with something more intentional from a local and/or small business. Supporting your favorite small businesses doesn’t even have to cost money. In this blog post, we’ll discuss a few ways (free & not) you can support your favorite small businesses and entrepreneurs.
1. Like, Share, Comment
One of the simplest ways you can make a huge impact on your favorite small businesses’ digital footprint is to like, comment or share their social posts. The more you engage with your favorite businesses online, the more their content is likely to be seen by your peers, other followers, and new potential customers. Taking a few extra minutes each day while you’re already scrolling through Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn to pause and check on the latest posts your favorite small businesses are sharing can go a long way!
2. Spread the Word
Did you know that 95% of consumers read reviews before choosing to make a purchase or do business with a company? While we never encourage vanity reviews, if you have shopped with or used your friends, family, or local small businesses’ services, then leave a positive review. This not only influences other consumers, but when leaving a review on Google specifically it can impact the company’s search rankings as well. If you’re not sure where the best place to leave a review, ask the business owner because the most valuable review sites will vary from industry to industry. Your endorsement can make a world of difference for a small business trying to expand their reach and build their reputation within the community.
3. Choose Local for Celebrations
If ever in a bind when it comes to purchasing a birthday, housewarming, or other celebratory gift, stop by some of your favorite local small businesses. Not only will you be supporting a small business but you’re also more likely to find something more intentional and unique that the recipient is sure to love. Plus, when you gift items or gift cards from local businesses, likely exposing that small business to another person.
P.S. Skip the gift bag (an extra expense) when gifting a local find from your favorite small business. Use the cute, branded bag they wrapped your gift in to help provide just one more notch of exposure for your favorite shop.
4. Make a Donation
We often forget our friends who run non-profits are businesses too. One of the most meaningful things you can do is to support a local non-profit that is directly impacting the community you live in. Donating to your favorite causes (or a friend’s favorite cause) is also an incredible gifting solution! Whether it’s a monetary donation or an offering of resources, every contribution counts toward ensuring the success of local entrepreneurs.
While there is a myriad of ways you can support small, local businesses, the reasons we mentioned are a great place to start no matter the size of your wallet or sphere of influence. As a small business ourselves, JSK Marketing loves working with and supporting other small businesses. Let us know in the comments who your favorite service and product-based small businesses are to support.
Some of JSK’s Favorite Small Businesses to Support
Beauty
- Pearl Nails, Jacksonville Beach
- Wild Ivy Salon, Jacksonville Beach
- Amason Aesthetics, St. John’s
Coffee Shops
- Southern Grounds, Neptune Beach, San Marco & Avondale
- Social House Coffee, Avondale
Dessert
- Cinotti’s Bakery, Jacksonville Beach
- Tasty Creamery, Orange Park
- Mayday Ice Cream, Various Jacksonville Locations
- Dreamette, Springfield & San Marco
Home Services
- Construction Specialties of North Florida, Jacksonville
- Cascade Outdoor Design, Jacksonville
- About Floors n’ More, Jacksonville
Kids Shops
- KYDS Boutique, Neptune Beach
- HeyDay!, Jacksonville Beach & San Marco
Non-Profits
- B.E.A.M, Jacksonville Beach
- Beaches Council on Aging, Jacksonville Beach
- Jacksonville Women’s Business Center
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville
Restaurants
- Palm Valley Fish Camp, Ponte Vedra Beach
- Smoothie Garden, Orange Park
- Poppy’s Italiano, Ponte Vedra Beach & St. Augustine
- Joint Bagel, St Augustine
- Angie’s Subs, Jacksonville Beach
- The Brick, Avondale
- Josephine, Avondale
- Wicked Batter Cafe, Orange Park
- TacoLu, Jacksonville Beach
Events & Catering
- Cheers 904, Jacksonville (mobile)
- Pastiche Catering + Events, Jacksonville
- Party Shack, Jacksonville Beach
- Southern Slice, Jacksonville
Home/Gift/Golf Shops
- Lemon Twist, Ponte Vedra Beach
- Carla’s Shoes, Ponte Vedra Beach
- Missy Riley Art & Pieces, San Marco
- Spruce JAX, Murray Hill & Jacksonville Beach
- Palmetto, Neptune Beach
- Momni, Jacksonville
- Rex Golf Shop, Jacksonville Beach
- Underwood Jeweler’s, San Marco, Avondale & Ponte Vedra
- Rosenblum’s, San Jose & Jacksonville Beach
*This article was originally published in November 2022 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy and comprehensiveness.
