This is the time of year where our thoughts begin to turn toward shopping for holiday gifts. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Small Business Saturday all call out for attention as people focus on good deals and thoughtful presents for loved ones.
This year, when you consider what to buy, and where to spend your money, take a minute to think about the bigger picture. There’s the gift buyer, and the gift receiver, but what about the gift maker? There’s a middle man in there that matters a lot! Because if it wasn’t for someone creating and selling that product, you’d have nothing to buy.
Who is the person, or the company, making the gifts you’ll be buying this year? Lots of big companies flood the market with a huge variety of merchandise. But what about the small businesses and the people who own and operate them? Sometimes they may be harder to find, but it could be well worth your time and effort to seek them out. The difference it makes to these smaller companies may surprise you.
Small Businesses Often Create Unique Products
If you’re looking for something new or unique, a small business may be right up your alley. Small businesses can often create more unique or customized products because they aren’t aiming for quantity over quality.
Many small businesses started by someone having an interest in a certain hobby and turning it into a way to make and sell things. Or maybe they started with an idea that could make something easier or more efficient, as with the idea of The Original Tube Wringer. When John Gill saw the need to make a tool to squeeze more product from a tube, he turned the idea into a small business, creating a unique product that has lasted for decades.
When people use their unique talents and curiosity to create something special, the buyer ends up with something you can’t get in huge manufacturing environments.
You Feel Like You Matter as a Customer
Small businesses can make you feel like you really matter, because you do! When you have the chance to speak with someone at a small business, you can often feel the passion and pride they have in their product.
Since small businesses are usually dealing with lower call and email volume, they can provide personalized customer service that makes you as a shopper feel seen and heard and not like just another purchase.
Whether it’s a local business, or one from the other side of the globe, you can bet that the effort spent on a small business is very personal to the people who own it. Here at The Original Tube Wringer, we value each and every one of our customers, and are always excited to hear feedback on how much you love our product!
Your Purchase Provides Real Support
Another benefit of supporting small businesses is the impact it makes on those business owners’ lives. You’re not just lining the pockets of another billionaire. You’re making a difference in the lives of people who are living their dreams. And you’re making a difference in the communities where small businesses live.
When you support small businesses, you’re helping people provide for their families in a very personal way. For many small businesses, your purchase means an extra trip to the grocery store, a fun movie night with their families, or keeping the lights on in their warehouse. It makes a big impact in ways you may never know.
Shopping Small Means Shopping Sustainably
When small businesses operate, they usually only package what they need, and look for sustainable ways to do it. Many times they have limited storage for supplies, so they are resourceful about what they need to have on hand, and how to make the best use of it.
You can shop knowing you aren’t contributing to a larger global issue of waste.
Some small businesses use eco-friendly local sources to make their products. And even when things are outsourced from other areas, they often find other small businesses for mutual support.
When you support small businesses like The Original Tube Wringer, you’re helping to keep the dreams and businesses alive for people who dare to think outside the box.
So this year, when making out your shopping list for the holidays, remember the small businesses who need and appreciate your support.