Local First Grand Rapids Shows That Local Works
In West Michigan, “local isn’t just a place on the map.” That’s according to Local First, a buy-local group based in Grand Rapids and representing some 800 locally owned businesses in the region. When it comes to supporting those members and the community at large, Local First doesn’t just talk the talk. Rather, Local First demonstrates in dollars and cents what impact its local businesses have on the economy and…read more →
Building Local Power Podcast Turns Small Business Issues into Advocacy
Did you know that half of all U.S. households are members of Amazon Prime? Did you know that four companies control nearly 85 percent of the U.S. beef market? More importantly, do you know how those statistics impact you and your local community? If you subscribe to Building Local Power, a new podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), then you know that those staggering statistics can spell doom…read more →
Atlanta’s Staplehouse Turns Fine Dining Into Local Giving
After her husband, Ryan, lost his battle with cancer in 2014, Jen Hidinger set out to fulfill the couple’s dream of opening a restaurant. That’s the story behind Staplehouse, a trendy nook in Atlanta’s eclectic Old Fourth Ward. As NBC Nightly News reports, dining at Staplehouse is about much more than the carefully curated menu. Staplehouse is a for-profit subsidiary of The Giving Kitchen, a non-profit founded by Hidinger after…read more →
ILSR Report Shows the Real Cost of Amazon’s Success
Long gone are the days when “Amazon” made you think of a river or a rainforest. While the geographic landscape that inspired its name may actually be shrinking, the more familiar Amazon is growing at a staggering pace. A new report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) demonstrates Amazon’s growth and the worrisome impacts it has on independent businesses. According to the report, Amazon sells more books, toys, and…read more →
4 Ways to Tell Your Main Street Story
You know what sets your business apart, but do your customers? When it comes to competing with national chains and big box stores, small business success is all about standing out from the crowd. That’s why it’s important to tell your Main Street Story, the side of your business that will resonate with customers. Simply put, your Main Street Story is the unique biography of your small business. Maybe you…read more →
5 Main Street Events to Visit in January
If you’re looking for a place to unwind after the rush of the holidays, here’s some good news: You don’t have to go far. There’s local fun – from low-key to all-out – right around the corner. However you want to start the new year, start it on Main Street. Wisconsin Local Food Summit Jan. 12 – 13, 2017 La Crosse, Wisconsin Now in its 11th year, the Wisconsin Local…read more →
Holmes Building Materials Rebuilds The American Dream After Historic Flooding
Holmes Building Materials, a Do it Best Corp. member based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, bills itself as supplying the American dream. When historic flooding left much of the Baton Rouge community, including many members of the Holmes Building Materials family, literally underwater, the family-owned business lived up to its word in a big way. Founded in 1956, Holmes Building Materials is the work of four generations of the Holmes family….read more →
Community-Owned Businesses Bring Local Residents Together For More Than Profits
It’s the time of year when communities come together – to celebrate the holidays, to bring warmth to neighbors in need and to look ahead to a new year. While important, that community togetherness shouldn’t be just a seasonal thing. Community-owned businesses bring local residents together all year long in a shared approach to supply and demand. The American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) defines a community-owned business as one that…read more →
Congrats to the Winner of the 2016 Indie Awards!
Your votes helped select Life’s Memories & More as the recipient of the 2016 Independent We Stand, Independent Small Business of the Year Award – Sponsored by STIHL Inc. and FCA US LLC. Life’s Memories & More is a scrap bookstore, located in Palmer, MA, that offers unique and quality products at competitive prices. In addition to the 5,000+ products you can find at Life’s Memories & More, they also…read more →
Announcing the Top 10 Semi-Finalists of the 2016 Indie Awards!
After a tight race, the final vote counts are in for the 2016 Independent Small Business of the Year Award! We want to thank everyone who participated in this year’s contest. Independent We Stand has enjoyed learning more about each of our Top 25 Quarter-Finalists! The deadline to vote has now passed, revealing the Top 10 businesses of the 2016 Indie Awards! These locally-owned businesses represent the best in the…read more →
