But Local First!
Beforehand, let’s start by describing local business. Local business is a notable term. But what does it really stand for? Some think it stands for only goods or maybe only handmade products. However, any company that provides goods or services to a local population is considered a local business. Often denoted by the phrase, “brick and mortar”, a local business can be a locally owned business or a corporate business with multiple locations operating in a specific area.
Restaurants, A one-person barber shop, Handmade accessories, Homemade food, Cafe/Coffee shops, Fashion Boutiques/Clothing Stores, etc., are all examples of local businesses.
For more than two years now, Lebanon has been assailed by compounded crises specifically, an economic and financial crisis, followed by COVID-19 and lastly, the explosion at the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020.
Financially speaking, hitherto, the poor have suffered the most as the crises have the economy at its firm grip.
Amid these crises and hard times that we are experiencing in Lebanon, streets once thriving with businesses and local community are now empty.
On the other hand, it’s worthy of mentioning the many startups and local businesses that try to overcome these crises and help Lebanon, hence, it’s crucial and necessary to support them and stand together in the direction of hyping them through word-of-mouth.
It’s noteworthy to mention that supporting local isn’t only for the economic purpose. But also, for the importance of experiencing local. Fortunately, there’s a lot we can do to be good neighbors to one another, support local businesses, and think local first.
When you support local businesses, the money stays closer to home
As a matter of fact, money is put back into that same community when a customer buys from a local business.
You will be happier
The food will be better. The clothes will be more unique. The experiences will be richer. It’s that simple.
Don’t forget to tip
If you can, tip generously. With lay-offs, reduced hours, and slow sales, service workers need our support too.
Support your local food system
It’s not just local restaurants — local farms are struggling right now too. Many of our local farms rely on selling their harvests to local buyers such as restaurants and grocers, and promoting their product at farmers markets. With increasingly limited options, farmers are left with unsold product.
Amplify your support
At the end of the day, it’s totally free to give a business a shout-out on social media, leave them a kind review, or hype them up through word-of-mouth.
There is much more that can be done. What I’m trying to say, when you put your money into local businesses first, you also put your money into local communities. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s buy from each other, let more people join this action and give the amazing stores a word-of-mouth!
You have your own business and you want to take it to the next level? Visit Watani website and become a vendor!
Watani Marketplace and Communication agency, offers authentic Lebanese products and services worldwide, launched in 2019 by Socialprise, to create a platform for Lebanese independent businesses to market their products.
Grow your business!
If you’re ready to take your business to the next level and go global, you’re only one click away from becoming a vendor.
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