Why Shop Local and Small? Part Three:
REAL PEOPLE
I think this is my favorite reason to support small and local shops. I recently had a customer contact me about an order they placed online and when they called me and explained their situation without first sharing their name I immediately knew who it was and the order they had placed and I said, "Oh hey is this Douglas?". This customer was just shocked that I knew his name and I had remembered his purchase. By the way, he spent exactly 25 cents plus shipping.
I am a real person and I have my hands in every aspect of my business. I am here in the shop (almost) every day so when you come in here I get to talk to you about your grandkids, your sick friends, your adventures, your anxieties, your celebrations. I get to hear from you how connecting with my business has impacted your life. I receive the gift of learning about your human journey.
Let me just say it clearly in case its confusing: your happiness is fundamental to the functioning of my business. When you come in here to take a break from the stresses of your life, when you are looking for a sustainable swap or a special gift for a friend, when you want to treat yourself to something special that you have been saving your hard earned money for...all of that is integral to the foundation and success of my business.
When I give back to the community it is because of you. When I am pushed to find the most ethical brands it is because you demand it. When I celebrate other local businesses it is because you appreciate and support them.
Real people make real meaningful connections and this is something that no one can every take away from us and that no big box store or online marketplace can ever do no matter how much they may try to convince you otherwise.
Real People! That's me and that's you.