May is National Small Business Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of small business owners to their community. In an era where confidence in institutions is lagging, small business remains the most trusted institution in America. Gallup’s annual survey in 2024 found that 68% of Americans have a large amount of trust in small businesses. To add context, the same survey found that only 36% feel that way about the medical system, along with 16% for big business and 12% with broadcast news.
Most importantly, small business owners and their employees are friends and neighbors whose success often depends on the relationships they forge with their customers. Here are five ways you can support small business owners in your community during National Small Business Month.
1. Visit a Least One New Small Business in Your Community
Is there a new restaurant that you have been meaning to try or a store that you have been wanting to visit? Make it a point to try to do so in the next two weeks. You’ll be glad you did and that business may have a new repeat customer.
2. Leave Positive Reviews for Business Online
Many businesses either do some or all their work online so positive reviews are becoming more important to new customers who are learning about them for the first time. Whether you have just visited it once or have been going for years, take a few minutes to leave some positive praise for the businesses that deserve it.
3. Avoid Third-Party Purchases
Using a third-party purchaser or delivery service does make it easier to buy from a number of stores and restaurants in one central location. However, part of what you pay is going to that third party instead of the business. It may take a few extra minutes, but purchasing directly from the business means they get 100% of the profit.
4. Purchase Merchandise and/or Gift Cards
One of the longest-running businesses in Washington, DC, is Frager’s Hardware, which has been operating on Capitol Hill since 1920. Part of the reason for this is that the community is invested in its long-term success, and it is rare to walk through the neighborhood on a Saturday or Sunday and not see someone wearing Frager’s gear. Your favorite store or restaurant probably has T-shirts or caps too and if you buy one, not only will you be supporting it, you will be a walking advertisement as well. Purchasing gift cards is another way you can help.
5. Advocate for Them
When new policies are implemented that affect the economy, they often hit small businesses the earliest and hardest. A recent interview with Pashion Footwear CEO Haley Pavone highlighted how recent tariffs are threatening her business’s ability to operate. If you are hearing from businesses about how policies are negatively impacting them, you will be doing them and your community a service by letting your lawmakers know.
Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and account for nearly half of all U.S. jobs and represent a broad spectrum of industries and perspectives. Your support of them is paid forward in countless ways.
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