5 Ways Small Business Owners Are Saving Their Communities

If there’s one thing all business owners have in common, it’s that you don’t wait for someone else to get things done. You figure out what needs doing, roll up your sleeves, and just get started. That’s what sets you apart from the rest of the pack.

In a year laden with challenges that disproportionately hurt small businesses, you're finding new ways to step up—helping one another and your communities. 

So we reached out to some of you, our members, to learn how you're supporting others around you. It turns out you’re just as resourceful and resilient as ever.

Here are a few highlights of how you're making a difference in your communities.

1. Donating your skills and services

With many ways to help, sometimes it’s best to stick with what you’re good at, whether it’s loan refinancing or home-cooked meals.

Anna Johnson Smith from Smith Family Photography in Groesbeck, TX said:

I offered seniors graduating in 2020 free photography sessions. They missed out on so much!

“We have been preparing meals for the families on our street that have contracted Covid. Three houses over the past six months. All are doing fine. [and] we have increased the number of cooking videos and recipes on our YouTube channel,” said Chef Mike Monahan from Chefs USA, LLC in Lawrenceville, GA.

“We have contacted our past clients who have mortgages arranged by us and informed them how they could obtain a mortgage payment deferral. Later when people found money tight, we arranged mortgage refinances to free up cash and to take advantage of lower interest rates,” said David Cooke of Dominion Lending Centres Jencor Mortgages in Calgary, AB.

“I have comped yoga sessions for new clients who found themselves working from home with a compromised salary, or completely furloughed, and managing their children,” said Lauren Telting of Chakra Yoga w Lauren in Pembroke Pines, FL.

“Since mid-March when the mandatory shut down of many businesses occurred, our team focused all time and energy to helping our business clients in dealing with their situations, keeping them up to date with the latest available government funding, SBA loans, PPP program applications, as well as the various state and county grants,” said Tony Coladonato of Coladonato CPA in Malvern, PA.

2. Showing up for the vulnerable

While many people deserve support right now, some need it more urgently than others. Many of you have made helping vulnerable people your priority.

 Jeannie Werthman of Villa Serena Communities of Houston, TX shares:

Our company brought rent and eviction relief money to many residents. We recently also hosted an outdoor fall festival, free of charge, for our local community.

“We offer free clear windowed masks for those who are deaf or hard of hearing and their caregivers since the COVID-19 virus first came around. These masks have elastic that circle around the head instead of around the ears thus saving our hearing instruments. We can smile and read lips now," says Eloise Schwarz of the Hearing Loss Association of America in Sun City Center, FL.

“I volunteer and mentor at Hope Remains Ranch. It is crucial to give back to those around us in loving, encouraging ways. Depression and anxiety run deep now with all of the isolation that has happened over the last year, and now, more than ever, children need a way to express those feelings in a caring, safe environment,” said Casey Parker of Inspire Hope Designs in Boiling Springs, SC.

“I help out our community by offering to run errands for the elderly and [provide] no charge on notary service to our Veterans,” said Danielle Lea Collingwood of FloCoast Notary in Palm Harbor, FL.

“[We have] contributed food and supplies to the Toronto Daily Bread Food bank and Youth Without Shelter. The Food Bank is in dire need of help as the people going to the food bank has increased quite significantly. We are continuing our efforts to help out as we see the need. Our next help will be the Women's Habitat down the road from our office,” said Lilian Hee-Karstadt from Lilian Hee-Karstadt Desjardins Insurance in Etobicoke, ON.

3. Taking your efforts online

Social distancing isn’t keeping you from helping your communities and raising money, raising awareness, and raising spirits.

 Myriam-Rose Kohn of JEDA Enterprises in Baltimore, MD shares:

I have offered free webinars on career change / career transitions so that attendees may find employment a lot faster than on their own. 

“I offer a free exercise class for anyone in the state or country that can join Zoom. They just need to email me their phone number. I have chair bound people, young teenagers, and parents with their 3-year old,” said Carol Miyasato of Free Zoom Body & Brain Yoga Tai-Chi Hawaii in Aiea, HI.

“My husband and I participated in a Virtual Hunger Walk to assist the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. We got up super early and did a 3-mile walk in our neighborhood. I set up a donation page and invited friends to contribute to the cause. I was so proud that my friends were so generous with their donations,” said Bernadette Harris of Sierra Medicare Solutions in Sierra Vista, AZ.

“I normally donate gift baskets to local non-profits when they have their fundraiser events. For the past couple of months, I have still created the gift baskets and put them on my FB page as a silent auction bidding. So far, I have raised over $700 for local organizations and still more to come,” said Diane Skelly of Travel Master in Grand Rapids, MN.

4. Keeping your money local

Great communities are defined by their local businesses. Here's how you're  making those communities stronger by spending locally.

 Jeff Svestka of Sunny’s BoBa & More in Santa Rosa, CA shares:

We are ordering take-out or delivery from local restaurants 6 of 7 days per week. We need them to stay afloat.

“I'm supporting local communities by donating to causes that are local and buying from local business. My business has suffered a great deal since some of my clients have passed away due to Covid19, and at the moment going out and marketing is out of the question,” said Jamie Gamboa of J.O.Y. Medical Billing Co in Hileah, FL.

“Ordinarily, Hometown Magazine responds to several local charities with generous donations. In 2020, we have changed our policies due to the large number of very deserving local nonprofits. We set a monthly donation limit. This allows us to donate to a larger number of local charities—all of whom do great work for our communities,” said Susan Berschinski of Hometown Magazine in Peachtree City, GA.

“We give more than the services charged to the small businesses we currently use. Our car repair man is a one man show so we give him extra. I give extra to my nail and hair person. We give larger tips to our waiters and waitress to places we frequent,” said Ginny Farrow of US Health Advisors in San Antonio, TX. 

“I always tip on take-out. I try to not use Amazon if I can get an item from a local store,” said Jeff Goldzweig of Lantrx Inc. in North Hollywood, CA.

Related: Help your community thrive again: Join the My Money Stays Local movement to get started.

5. Forging stronger relationships

Whatever the best way to help is in the moment, it all comes down to relationships. Many of you are giving support by sharing referrals, making introductions, or just letting others know they're not alone.

Geoffrey Dignum of GD Homebuilding and Construction, Ltd. in Etobicoke, ON shares:

I am trying my best to help out by referring business to some of my customers in need of that particular service. 

“Connecting is so important to people, especially in tumultuous times. I have given an in-person, live concert each week since the lockdown began. It gets my neighbors out and interacting, each in their own driveway, distanced but together,” said Jennifer Narkevicius of Jen Narkevicius, Harper in Alexandria, VA.

“I connect people from my network with others whose goods or services may be useful to one another. I also enjoy the process of getting to know people, their geographic locations, their cultural backgrounds, and their professions,” said Amanda Socci of Amanda Socci Freelance Writer in Alexandria, VA.

“Both my personal and professional communities include entrepreneurs who have been struggling during the pandemic so I've been referring other clients and friends to those entrepreneurs as I can and am currently eyeing holiday gifts for clients from among their goods and services,” said Vanessa Timon Smith of Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty in Berkeley, CA.

“I am not in a position to support financially so I have made it a point to be extra kind, extra understanding, extra observant (with elderly folks who may not be steady-footed, for example). I've found that this mindfulness has actually led to some great connections,” said Suzanne Scott of Home Planet Consulting, Ltd. in Chicago, IL.

Helping can take many forms, and business owners do it best

When it comes down to it, you're pillars in your communities, and you keep propping up those around you in the toughest of times. Even amid disruptions and surprises delivered by a difficult year, you continue to lead and inspire, and give the rest of us plenty to feel grateful for. 

You can find more uplifting stories about small businesses on our blog.

Want to help others in your community? 

Look on Alignable for local nonprofits and chambers of commerce for ways to get involved. Or start a community discussion about ways you can help—and places where help is needed.

What are you doing to support those in need in your community? Share your stories in the comments.