Category: Local Business Directory

Local businesses are the lifeblood of the communities they serve.

It’s no secret that, here at Top Rated Local®, we have a thing for local businesses. In fact, we love them so much that we’ve dedicated ourselves to helping them manage their online reputations effectively, while also connecting them with consumers in their communities.

Why do we love local businesses so much? Because of what they do for their communities and for the people they serve day in and day out. There’s no doubt about it, small businesses are special, and they’re a big part of what makes their communities so great.

The coronavirus pandemic has hit all of us hard, and small businesses are no exception. The social distancing requirements necessary to minimize the spread of coronavirus have also led to countless restaurants, retail stores, and other local businesses having to temporarily close their doors.

The good news is that there are many ways that you can still support the local businesses in your community. Check out our previous blog to learn about a few of them, and keep reading to learn about the many reasons why you should make it a point to support them.

5 Ways Local Businesses Benefit Their Communities

#1. By creating local jobs.

When compared to the many giant corporations that employ tens of thousands of people, the jobs created by small businesses may seem like a drop in the hat. However, all of those small businesses ( and the jobs they create) really add up. They make up 64 percent of all private sector jobs in the United States.

That’s a lot of jobs, and thanks to the fact that small businesses are invested in their local communities, those jobs tend to stay local. When small businesses succeed, the many people they employ also succeed, which ripples across the economy as a whole.

According to The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), small businesses are an essential part of creating economic self-sufficiency and eliminating poverty in the United States.

#2. By keeping money in the community.

A corporation’s number one goal is to please its shareholders, which is why corporations generally make financial decisions with their shareholders in mind. This might mean investing in stock buybacks or dividends when corporations have extra cash on hand. For small businesses, though, which often work with local supply chains and employ local people, any money made goes directly back to the community they serve.

Additionally, big box stores and corporations tend to try to save as much money on their taxes as possible by exploiting every possible loophole. This may be why small businesses actually contribute more in tax revenue to local economies than corporations do.

Local businesses also do more by making charitable contributions that directly affect their communities. In addition to giving to local food banks and other nonprofit organizations, small businesses help to make many other things possible, including sports leagues and teams, as well as the school paper and yearbook.

#3. By innovating.

When it comes to innovation, corporations have nothing on small businesses. According to research from the Small Business Administration (SBA), when compared to large corporations, small businesses produce 16 times the number of patents per employee. This innovation might look like creating new products, improving existing products, developing new methods or processes, and finding new supply sources.

Part of what holds many corporations back from innovation is their shareholders. Shareholders are, in general, adverse to risk, and innovation, in most cases, is definitely a risk. However, many corporations have started to model their operations to be more like startups to try to spark some of that innovation.

The innovation that comes from small businesses has the potential to positively affect neighborhoods, towns, and entire communities.

#4. By reinforcing the personality of the community.

What is it that makes a community special? There are many answers to this question, but nothing makes a community quite as unique as the small businesses that serve it. After all, most communities have the same big box stores as every other community, but only small businesses reinforce the personality of that community.

Small business owners aren’t separated from the communities they serve. In addition to running their own business, they’re residents just like everyone else, which means that they share the goals of the community and recognize what makes it special. And, instead of relying on the decisions of a few corporate bigwigs, small businesses have the flexibility to evolve with the times to meet the changing needs and goals of their community.

#5. By supporting other small businesses.

Big box stores rely on large volumes of sales, which means that their number one priority is to keep prices low. This can result in predatory marketing strategies and pricing that ends up putting small businesses in the community at risk.

Small businesses, on the other hand, still compete with one another for their share of the market, but the difference is that they are operating and competing on the same level. That means that the best businesses win out, rather than just the biggest.

Small businesses also aren’t a threat to other businesses in the community. Big box stores, like Walmart, tend to offer a wide range of products that can put a wide range of small businesses out of business, like beauty supply stores, hardware stores, pet stores, auto supply stores, craft stores, homeware stores, and more.

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Show your appreciation for the local business in your community.

Local businesses do so much for the communities they serve, and right now, they’re facing difficulties that could be difficult, if not impossible, to recover from. Do your part and give back to the incredible businesses that make your community such a wonderful place.

Learn how to support the local businesses in your community safely throughout the coronavirus pandemic by checking out my previous blog. And, turn to Top Rated Local, your go-to local business directory, to find the right local businesses for your needs.

Spending your spring break vacation at home this year?

There are a myriad of reasons to spend your spring break at home this year. Traveling is expensive for one, and many people have canceled upcoming trips due to the coronavirus endemic. But, regardless of the reason you’re staying home this year, there’s a lot to look forward to!

Traveling is amazing, don’t get me wrong. I love to see new things and experience new cultures. But, it’s always just a little bit stressful. Plus, there’s just something about a staycation that has a special place in my heart. Staycations are amazing because they allow you to catch up on things you love doing but don’t have time for in your typical schedule. Best of all, at the end of the day, you get to come back to your own home and sleep in your own bed.

I like to pick a project or two to do around the house on a staycation, but don’t spend your whole time working. Give yourself time to relax, unwind, and decompress.

6 Tips to Help You Make the Most of Your Staycation

#1. Pamper yourself.

Self-care is a key part of a healthy lifestyle, but it’s easy to push aside our own self-care when we have full schedules and others who rely on us. A staycation gives you the gift of time, and I can’t think of a better way to spend it than with a little pampering.

Find a local massage therapist or a day spa. Getting a massage or a facial is a great way to melt away the daily stress of life. You could also visit an acupuncturist to help you relax and unwind, or you could visit your local nail salon, barbershop, or beauty salon to reinvent your look.

#2. Pretend to be a tourist.

Have you ever noticed how tourists tend to see a lot more of the notable attractions around you than you do? If you’re like most people, your time is spent working, running errands, getting the kids to their various activities, etc. — in other words, the day-to-day activities of life. There probably isn’t much time for you to enjoy what’s around you like someone visiting might. But, a staycation gives you the perfect opportunity to do so.

Pretending to be a tourist might mean seeing a musical or a play at the local theater. It might mean going to a baseball game or a basketball game. It might mean going on a tour at the local brewery, factory, or capitol building. If there isn’t anything you want to see or do in your own community, chances are, you’re probably not more than a few hours away from something you’ll find interesting. Taking a day trip is a fantastic way to spend your spring break.

You could even treat yourself to a luxurious ride to your destination, or just around town, by turning to a local limousine service.

#3. Go on a food tour of your city.

If you’re like most people, you probably go to a handful of different restaurants around your community. When you have a few favorite places to eat, it’s easy to get a rut — even if it’s a delicious rut. There are most likely lots of amazing places to eat in your community, and since you’re saving all of that money by not taking a trip, it’s the perfect opportunity to splurge and try some new restaurants.

Look up restaurants in your community with the best reviews, and consider branching out and trying something new. Don’t be afraid to mix it up, too, and choose options from different parts of the world, as well as different types of restaurants, including sit-down restaurants, food trucks, and cafes. Make a list of a few restaurants that sound interesting to you, and try a new one each day or every other day.

#4. Learn something new.

Learning is something we should all strive to do as much as possible, and there are lots of ways to continuously learn in your daily routine. However, finding time to learn a new skill or deepen your knowledge of an existing skill isn’t always easy. Your staycation gives you plenty of time to do so.

There are so many great learning opportunities around you. You could attend a class at the local rec center; you may even find a free class. Some restaurants and grocery stores offer cooking classes. You could also consider signing up for a cocktails and painting class with some friends.

#5. Replenish your closet.

Does it feel like you’ve got a ton of clothes but nothing to wear? It’s a sure sign that it’s time to clean out your closet. Take some time to pull out anything you don’t wear often — or at all. You could consider donating it or selling it to a consignment store.

Once your closet is cleaned out of everything you don’t want or need, it’s the perfect opportunity to go shopping and fill it back up a little. You’re not paying to go on an expensive vacation, and you’ll be able to take advantage of the spring sales, so you might as well. Stop into your favorite stores, and consider checking out a few new stores in your area. You might just find a new favorite!

#6. Attend a new fitness class.

If your gym is anything like mine, all of the best classes seem to take place during the day while I’m at work, and on the weekends, there are so many people in the class that finding a place for my yoga mat can be almost impossible. Luckily, your staycation is a great time to attend one of those mid-day classes that can’t fit in your regular schedule.

If you don’t already belong to a fitness center, your staycation is also a fantastic time to check a few local fitness centers out. Some might even offer free day passes or trial classes. Some fitness centers offer five-day or week-long passes. Whether you’ve always wanted to try a Bikram yoga class, a kickboxing class, a spin class, or any other type of fitness class, make it a point to do so on your staycation.

Make the most of your staycation with Top Rated Local®!

With a little planning, and the help of a few great local businesses, your staycation can be just as memorable as a trip across the country or world would be. Start your local business search with Top Rated Local today!