If you love it, support it!

Here is a wonderful post from the blog Innovate! It's called The 3/50 Project:

Their concept is simple and the numbers that back up their cause are staggering. The 3/50 project is an organization focused on saving the wonderful mom-and-pop stores throughout the country. I often see small stores that I appreciated close their doors and comfort myself by thinking, ‘Well, I can’t keep them all in business on my own.’ True, but it is quite amazing the profound difference each one of us can make in supporting our local economy. According to Project 3/50, here’s how it is done:

3

Think about which three independently owned businesses you would miss most if they were gone. Stop in and say hello. Pick up a little something that will make someone smile. Your contribution is what keeps those businesses around.

50

If just half of the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned businesses, their purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. Imagine the positive impact if 3/4 of the employed population did that.

68

For every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.

1

the number of people it takes to start the trend… you.

The website is full of great resources, images, t-shirts, etc. to help you show your support! Print out a couple of the fliers and take them by one of your ‘3′- my guess is you and the owner will be smiling after your visit.

I love this idea, and to add to it a bit I would say that we also need to take a closer look at the national chain stores and restaurants we use. We all need to shop at them eventually, but we rarely stop to think about them the same way we would a local business. Do I like the owner? Are they good to their employees? Are they using funds to support things that are against my morals and values? If the answers don't add up to somewhere you want to be putting your money consider switching to a different store. Just ask yourself "where would I shop if this store was not here?", maybe you will find a wonderful shop or restaurant that you had never considered before, and undoubtedly you will feel better knowing what your money is supporting after it leaves your pocket.