Hello! We are so happy that you’ve decided to explore our website. We hope that you’ll find it inspiring, informative, and, most of all, fun!
Before you dig into the blog articles we’ve written or shop the products that we’ve carefully curated, I want to share why small business means so much to me personally.
In 2006, I ditched the corporate world and started my own small business. Also, during this time, a good friend, Liz, did as well. We would frequently talk about how confused and overwhelmed we were by every aspect of running a business. How do I incorporate? What forms do I need to fill out? What’s the best way to get my name out in front of the right audience?
There were a million and a half things that we felt like we NEEDED to do before we could even begin to be profitable. Quickly we concluded that if we had all of these questions, there had to be others in the same boat. Later that same year, we launched biz-e-chicks. An organization that focused on women business owners looking for support and cheerleaders.
What was so eye-opening to me upon starting the group wasn’t the extension of support we could provide for these local entrepreneurs. Instead, it was the opportunity to become friends with a diverse group of women-owned businesses doing amazing things I never knew existed in our area: Interior Designers, Marketers, Home/Business Organizers, SEO Experts, Fashion Consultants… the list could go on.
The problem was unless you were a member of our group, how would you know these businesses existed? Sure there was traditional advertising, but it was a pricey route for small start-ups. Word of mouth is excellent, but it’s challenging to reach the masses quickly. Finding the right formula can be a daunting task. Sadly, many small businesses aren’t able to keep up and ultimately close.
A small business owner myself, I quickly became fascinated with why individuals wanted to start a business. The courage, dedication, and at times the tough exterior it takes is remarkable. So, I set a goal to do all that I could to support and promote them as much as possible.
Small businesses provide a vital lifeline to all communities in which we live. Don’t believe me? Take a look at these six small business stats that helps fuel my passion for supporting local businesses:
- As of 2020, the number of small businesses in the US reached 31.7 million, making up nearly all (99.9%) businesses.***
- Out of the 31.7 million small businesses, 3.7 million are microbusinesses with one to nine employees.***
- Small businesses created 10.5 million net new jobs between 2000 and 2019. Accounting for 65.1% of net new jobs created since 2000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Business Employment Dynamics Report.*
- 19.9% of businesses are owned by women. According to the Census Bureau’s 2019 Annual Business Survey, about 19.9% of all businesses were owned by women. Of the nearly 1.1 million women-owned businesses, roughly 92% had fewer than 20 employees.*
- $48 of every $100 spent at a small business stays local. Spend the same $100 at a big-box store, or national retailer, and only $14 stays.*
- Local businesses support local events, sports teams, and charities 250% more than big corporations.**
- 66% give to local charities
- 48% support youth organizations
- 42% donate to local first responders
- 39% support local religious organizations
- 37% aid local service groups (Rotary Club, scouts, etc)
- 32% donate food or volunteer in soup kitchens
- 81% planned on giving in 2019
With 31.7 million unique businesses out there, how do you know your options, what they offer, and why it might benefit you to visit or purchase from them? You can look to Google. However, the amount of information contained within one search can leave you paralyzed.
That’s where Local Revival comes in. We strive to revive communities by connecting people to unique small businesses worldwide.
We want to help our audience eliminate the guesswork of finding a small business solution to a problem or desired product by doing the research ourselves. We also want to educate our audience about the remarkable things our communities have to offer and the stories that make them unique.
Building awareness for a local artist, teaching a workshop to learn a new skill or writing a blog post to inspire our readers to view something differently. These are only a few ways we want to help our audience carve a revived path toward local living.
At first glance, Local Revival Lifestyle might seem a little scattered: crafting, travel, cooking, gardening, community events. Who knows what will pop up! But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that the majority of our posts, workshops, or items for sale relate to why we originally started: supporting small businesses.
However, the Local Revival brand is more than encouraging people to shop small. It’s about building connections, uplifting, educating, and encouraging others to discover and follow their interests or passions. All while supporting and giving back to the communities in which they live.
So we hope you enjoy our offerings. If you have any suggestions or local businesses/points of interest that we haven’t discovered yet, please let us know! We look forward to interacting with you! Please drop us a note, or connect with us on our social media to say hello.
*Source: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/small-business-statistics
***Source: https://www.semrush.com/blog/small-business-stats/
