I’ve become more interested in the idea of local economy over the past several years, and with the current state of the union it seems like the only thing that will get us out of this mess is to start looking to our local communities for answers. I know, I know, there’s an idea that we have to throw even more money at the big corporations, otherwise everything is sure to collapse. But I believe that’s part of what got us into this mess in the first place. The status quo just wasn’t sustainable and now we’ve become dependent on that system and find ourselves clinging to it, even though it wasn’t working. Well, regardless of the politics there are plenty of great reasons to support your local community.
I’m involved with a great organization whose goals are to 1.) raise awareness of the impact and role of local businesses in our communities and economies, and 2.) build a network of local businesses who are working together to creative a thriving economy. The Mile High Business Alliance is four years in existence and the work they’ve done with so few resources is impressive to say the least. They’ve developed a local business directory on their Colorado Local First website, and their Local Flavor Guide campaign, which are maps of local shops in each neighborhood, has helped me to shop local during Christmas for the past three years.
Lately, I’ve been taking stock of my own local community by making a list of friends who have, or who work at, local businesses. Natalie at Commerce Kitchen has been helping me understand the world of website optimizing; I love how passionate those folks are about their own local community. Kevin started his own social media & events planning company, Giant Steps Consulting and Event Planning, helping other local businesses reach their communities by keeping active online. Christa Pisto is the craftiest person I know, selling her wares almost faster than she can make them! Rebecca is an expert event planner who is helping launch local designer Gino Velardi’s career.
And of course I suppor
t local biggies Twist & Shout and Tattered Cover,who turns 40 this year. I work out at locally owned Core Martial Arts & Fitness and Colorado School of Iyengar Yoga and I volunteer at Cafe 180, which is dedicated to eliminating hunger and social barriers associated with food. And I can’t even begin sift through the coffee and gift shops that are on my radar at any given moment!
Wow, right? What an eye-opening exercise; and those are mostly just my connections through friends. Try it yourself. Sit down and list your friends who have started their own businesses and who work at local organizations. Write down your favorite places to frequent in your own neighborhood, or in someone else’s neighborhood. And then share your list with others. I think this will make the world go ’round again.
