The outbreak
of the coronavirus COVID-19 has affected our lives in every way. It is understandable that during times like
this, we are all feeling varying levels of fear and anxiety as well as being
overwhelmed by constantly changing media messages regarding the spread of the
virus. But, there is something we can
do! The following article by Maurie Backman describes four ways we can help
small businesses during these tough times. Being a small business ourselves,
this hits pretty close to home!
4 Ways You Can
Support Small Businesses (and Their Employees) Right Now
Small businesses are hurting. Here's what you
can do to help.
As COVID-19 continues to
wreak havoc across the U.S., and the globe, small business owners are growing
increasingly concerned. Retail stores are seeing less foot traffic, and some
are seeing none at all. And with restaurants in many cities being forced to
shut down or limit their services, countless small business owners and
employees are no doubt in for a financial shock -- one many will ultimately
struggle to recover from.
So what can you do
to support local businesses during these trying times? These moves on your part
could really make a difference.
1. Buy gift cards
Maybe you're not looking
to visit your favorite salon in the midst of a major health outbreak, since
your haircut or manicure can clearly wait. But what you can do
is buy a gift card to that salon and use it in the future, once things calm
down. That way, the business gets some money in immediately that it can use to
pay its vendors and bills, and you'll have the benefit of having pre-paid a
service you know you'll need eventually, thereby carving out wiggle room in
your budget later on.
2. Order takeout or delivery from restaurants
Many restaurants have
been ordered to not offer dine-in service as the country grapples with COVID-19.
And chances are, you'd rather not eat out at a restaurant anyway. But if your
local go-to food establishments are still offering takeout and delivery
service, you can support them by placing orders. If you're concerned about food
safety, call and ask what measures are being taken to ensure that sick workers
aren't handling food, and that surfaces and containers are being kept clean.
3. Help advertise
Many small businesses
struggle to get the word out that they even exist, so now's the time to help
drive more customers to them -- especially businesses that can move their
models online temporarily to maintain cash flow. For example, if you have a
local toy store that's shifting to delivery mode, tell people about it. Chances
are, parents with bored kids stuck at home will bite.
4. Tip generously
The people who deliver
your takeout meals? They may be waiters who are seeing their income slashed.
The person who drops off goods at your door from a local shop? That could be a
store clerk whose only option right now is to use his or her vehicle to make
home deliveries in the hopes of still getting paid. These are trying times for
the people who work for small businesses, and many risk future wage cuts if
things continue this way much longer. You can help, therefore, by being a bit
more generous on the tipping front.
Right now, millions of
Americans are in a financially precarious spot as COVID-19 destroys all semblance
of normality. If you're in a position where you're not losing your income
during this madness, consider paying it forward to the best of your ability.
The frustrating thing about the current situation is that we don't have much
control over it, but one thing you can control is the way you
step up and help others who may be in need.
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