If you’ve been around here for a while, you know this already: I love supporting small businesses. As a local entrepreneur myself and someone who has built an entire platform around uplifting our community, I’ve seen firsthand the impact small, everyday choices can make.

In celebration of Small Business Week, I want to go beyond the “shop local” reminders and actually share why it matters. When we invest our dollars into small businesses, the boutiques, bakeries, wellness studios, family-run restaurants, service providers, makers, and creatives we know by name, we are investing directly into the place we call home.

And the numbers speak loudly.

Small Businesses Are the Heartbeat of Our Community

1. Nearly half of all U.S. employees work for a small business

Small businesses employ 46% of the U.S. workforce, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Source: U.S. SBA, Office of Advocacy (2024).

That means when you buy a muffin from the local bakery, schedule a massage with a neighborhood therapist, or sign your kids up for a small-group activity, you’re supporting the jobs of your neighbors, friends, and fellow parents standing next to you at school pickup.

2. More of your dollars stay local. a LOT more.

Research shows that 68 cents of every dollar spent locally stays within the community, and when you spend it at a big-box or national chain, that impact drops significantly. Source: American Independent Business Alliance

That money cycles into local wages, youth programs, schools, community events, charitable giving, and future business growth. It means stronger neighborhoods, safer communities, and more vibrant places to live and raise our kids

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3. Small businesses give back at higher rates

Did you know that small businesses donate 250% more to local nonprofits and community causes than large corporations? Source: SCORE / Small Business Mentors Association

Whether it’s sponsoring a youth sports team, donating to a school fundraiser, showing up at community events, or giving back during the holidays, small businesses pour into us because they are us.

4. They create the character and identity of our community

A community without small businesses loses its charm. Period.

From Grimes to Des Moines and the surrounding suburbs, our coffee shops, family-owned restaurants, boutiques, makers, and service professionals create the unique feel of our neighborhoods.

They are the spots where:

We meet friends for coffee
Our kids grow up attending camps and activities
Local makers get their start
Entrepreneurs take risks and build dreams
Families build traditions

This is what makes our area special. Not just another dot on the map.

5. Small businesses are essential for economic growth and innovation

Small businesses account for 63% of new job creation. Source: U.S. SBA, Office of Advocacy (2024)

They push innovation, try new things, and stay flexible. Many of the big brands we know today started as small, scrappy ideas, and the same thing is happening right now in our community.

Why It Matters for the Future

When we choose to invest in small businesses today, we are shaping a stronger tomorrow for our families, our kids, and the type of community we want to leave behind.

Here’s what that future looks like:

A more stable, resilient local economy

Small businesses diversify our economic foundation. During economic downturns, communities with robust small business ecosystems tend to rebound more quickly

2. More opportunities for our kids and future generations

The more local businesses grow, the more career paths, mentorships, teen jobs, internships, and entrepreneurial examples our kids are exposed to.

3. A community where people feel connected

When we choose small, we choose relationships — knowing the owner, waving to familiar faces, and feeling part of something bigger than ourselves.

4. A place where women-owned, minority-owned, and family-owned businesses can thrive

Supporting small businesses creates space for more diverse entrepreneurs to rise. Des Moines is full of incredible women building big dreams, and your support helps make them possible.

How You Can Support Small Businesses This Week (and Beyond)

You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to make a difference. Here are simple ways to support:

Buy from a local shop instead of a chain
Leave a review on Google, Facebook, or Yelp
Share their posts on social media
Attend events, markets, or pop-ups
Purchase gift cards for teachers, sitters, neighbors, or family
Refer them in your neighborhood groups
Sign up for their email lists
Tip generously when you can

Even the smallest effort goes a long way, especially for solopreneurs and micro-businesses.

Small businesses are more than storefronts. They’re stories, dreams, families, and futures. When we uplift them, we uplift our entire community.

This Small Business Week, I hope we all take a moment to be intentional about where our dollars go. Because every purchase, review, and recommendation is a vote for the kind of community we want to build.

Let’s keep investing in the people who invest right back into us.