Today is being called "Small Business Saturday" and outside of my own self-promoting small business desires, I have a few things to say.
It's true that small business often cannot offer the lowest prices or even the largest selection of goods, but here is what they CAN and most often DO offer.
More personal customer service: Often small business are specialized and the owners and employees feel passionate about what they sell which creates a better shopping experience for their customers. I know from my own experience that I really enjoy helping customers with their selections, their sewing concerns, and even just chatting and catching up about life, our children, etc.
Unique merchandise: Very often you will find things offered by smaller business that you can't get anywhere else. And really, who wants to have exactly the same thing as everyone else?
Special services: Personal shopping, decorating, one on one help with projects relating to their merchandise and a willingness to cater to the particular needs of customers including special orders, shipping, gift wrapping, etc.
Here is a sampling of the small businesses that I support all year long:
YOLK in Silverlake, CA
They have some of the most unique home decor items I've seen anywhere as well as cool toys for kids, handmade and independently designed items,
such as this groovy tray:
Yolk sells some items items in their online shop as well, if you aren't local.
KleanSpa products
I met Jennifer at the Unique L.A. craft fair a few years ago and I have been addicted ever since. Even my husband just asked me for more of the MANproducts I got for him. And my 11 year old daughter wants them for Christmas.
My personal favorite scents are Karma-L-Krunch and Where Angels Go.
The Whipped Sugar Body Scrub is DIVINE!
Wildfiber in Santa Monica
The biggest, most beautiful selection of yarns I've seen in a big bright space with comfy couches for resting and working on your projects.
Ian, Johnny, Lisa and Jackie are hands-down the most competent and knowledgable staff when it comes to all things vacuum and sewing related. I've purchased about 15 machines and 2 vacuums from them over the years and not one of them has given me any real problems. And if they did? I KNOW Tanner's would take care of it at the lowest possible cost to me. I love these guys. You will too.
Who will you support today, this holiday season, and all year long?
I agree with everything you included here. Truly, small businesses can provide better quality services since they only focus on specific target markets. Anyway, how did you find the client invitation session?
Posted by: Staci Burruel | November 29, 2011 at 09:58 AM
Agreed! I need to get to Klean Spa and treat myself to some goodies when I am there for Christmas! Or at least figure out which scents I like the best!
Posted by: Emily | December 05, 2011 at 08:49 AM
Companies do their best to satisfy their customers… In life, "family comes first," and in the business world, "customers come first." That's a given. It would be detrimental for a company to have a decreasing customer growth rate, as that would not only cost them profit, but also credibility.
Posted by: Ava Venson | February 21, 2012 at 07:57 AM