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Collectively Kylie

/ Chicago Living, Lifestyle

Ways to Support Small Businesses + Local and Online Businesses That Need Our Help

This year has certainly not easy on any of us, but I truly can’t imagine how I would feel as a small business owner during this trying time. We all have the tendency to sweat the small stuff, like missing our friends, feeling sad our trip got canceled, or reminiscing on the times where we got to sip lattes in our favorite coffee shops, but then I take a step back and realize how much this is impacting others in a much more severe way. There are so many people in the food and beverage, travel and hospitality industries that are getting hit hard, and SO many small businesses who need our help.

Today I wanted to share five ways you can help out your favorite local or online small businesses through financial support or in other free ways! I’m also sharing a list of small businesses who could use your support. Take a look through, and if you can afford to do so, help them out. They need us.

Five Ways You Can Support Small Businesses Financially or for Free

Order online!

Now is the perfect time to order that cute handbag you’ve been eyeing, as long as you can afford it. It will make such a difference to the store. For restaurants, it’s also a great time to either order delivery/takeout.

Buy gift cards.

If you want to avoid eating out right now or haven’t found that handbag that’s the perfect one, you can still show your support by buying a gift card. Especially if the small business is a local one and closed, your gift card purchase will make such an impact.

Follow along on social media and show your support.

Something as little as making sure you follow your favorite company on all platforms, watching their Instagram stories every day, or liking all of their posts goes SUCH a long way. As someone who does PR and social media for a living, trust me on this. If you want to go one step further, leave some really authentic, wonderful comments! Sharing a quick note about how you love their products or had a wonderful experience goes a long way. Better yet: highlight the company on your own channels!

Share a review online.

On a similar note, take the time to leave the company, especially restaurants, beauty service, etc. a glowing review online. These reviews can help to drive so much more traffic, which will really help them once we are able to shift past this moment in time.

Be kind with your tip.

Right now, those that continue to serve us, from restaurants to delivery men and more, are putting their own health at risk. Keep that in mind and tip generously!

Small Businesses That Need Our Support

It’s such a challenging time for small businesses and they need our help! Below is a roundup of both some of my favorite small businesses and some of YOURS that you so kindly shared with me! Have other small businesses who need our support? Drop them below and let’s be sure to help everyone out where we can.

Fashion Small Businesses to Support

Beauty, Lifestyle an Home Decor Small Businesses to Support

Chicago-Specific Small Businesses to Support

  • Restaurants and bars | They need our help! Order for delivery, buy gift cards, whatever you feel comfortable with. Here are some of my favorites (and there are even more over here in my Chicago City Guide):
  • Sinless Tan | Get your glow on as soon as we can leave the house and grab yourself a gift card now.
  • Cyclebar | Buy a gift card for classes and hit the studio once we get past this moment in time. Cyclebar also has a really engaging Instagram – go give them some love! They are doing lots of great virtual classes if you have a bike at home and fun instructor takeovers.
  • Flowers for Dreams | Local flower delivery service that also gives back to some amazing charities.

Influencer-Owned and Recommended Boutiques and Shops

I reached out to my blogging community since so many content creators are also small business owners. Below are some influencer-owned small businesses along with their recommendations for shops that need our help right now.