Creative Ways to Support Your Favorite Small Businesses

The panel included Rod Griffin: Director of Consumer Education and Awareness at Experian; Beverly Harzog: Credit Card Expert and Consumer Finance Analyst for U.S. News; Todd Christensen: Education Manager at Money Fit by DRS; Sarah Brady: financial consultant, workshop facilitator, and writer; Jonathan: Blogger and Podcaster; Alicia R. Hudnett Reiss: CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™; Amanda Holdsworth: Director of Public Relations and Brand Strategy at investor.com; Daniella Flores: Creator and Author at iliketodabble.com; Marybeth Hamilton: Owner of BabySavers.com; Gerri Detweiler: Director of Education at Nav Inc.; Patrina Dixon: Certified Financial Educator; Gloria Fagbemi: Founder, TeaForTwoAndACrowd.com; Sha’Kreshia Terrell: Founder of Humble Hustle Finance; Brian Haney: Vice President, The Haney Company; Evan Leaphart; Courtney Richardson: Founder of The Ivy Investor; and Viridiana Ponce: Small Business Consultant & Trainer.

Questions We Discussed:

• • Q1: Why is it important to support local businesses?
  • Q2: What are some of your favorite local businesses? Are they open?
  • Q3: How has “social distancing” impacted small businesses in your area?
  • Q4: What types of small businesses need financial support right now?
  • Q5: How can we use social media to support small businesses we love?
  • Q6: What are precautions to take when visiting your favorite local business?
  • Q7: What are some creative ways to support local businesses (and their employees)?
  • Q8: What are some ways to practice gratitude while supporting local businesses during COVID-19?
  • Q9: What local business are you looking forward to visiting once they open again?
  • Q10: Any last-minute tips on ways to support small businesses right now?

Retweet these insights from our community:

A1:

A1. It’s important to support local/small businesses, because these are businesses that people have poured their own resources into. They have invested in the local community and it’s their dreams on the line. #CreditChat

— Christina Roman (@Teena_LaRo) April 29, 2020

A2:

A2: So many of these businesses are trying to pay all their employees and doing so much to stay open – PLEASE order from them #creditchat

— The Haney Company (@TheHaneyCompany) April 29, 2020

A3:

A3 c: some have created online stores for their merch + moved other operations to completely online. There are the restaurants that have moved to only frozen food, delivery and curbside delivery. More are pivoting every day and finding new ways to cope + make money. #CreditChat pic.twitter.com/ihnAAVpM8U

— Daniella @ I Like To Dabble (@iliketodabble) April 29, 2020

A4:

A4b: The financial support should also include small businesses that rely on contractors to help run their business and should be included as a worker for this purpose. #CreditChat #itsmymoney https://t.co/6qMSinlztd

— It's My Money™️ (@itsmymoney_) April 29, 2020

A5:

A5: Use social media to help local businesses by tagging them in photos. For example, if you order food delivery tag the business on Instagram (post or story), and also tag how you ordered them (i.e. directly on website, @UberEats @DoorDash , @Postmates , etc). #CreditChat

— Angel Trinh | 7 Continents (@pnywisetraveler) April 29, 2020

A6:

A6: I wear a mask. I try to go alone to lessen the amount of people present. I always carry hand sanitizer & wipes with me, and of course, I try to stay six feet away from everyone… even if some people seem intent on standing close enough to breathe down my neck #CreditChat pic.twitter.com/771MmcOWnq

— Patty 🌟 (@prguevarra) April 29, 2020

A7:

A7: Purchasing of their products and/or services. Again, encouraging people following you to do the same. This helps the business and keep employees employed. By the way, here is the link to my shop https://t.co/VgZD1a0bd9#CreditChat #itsmymoney https://t.co/hYQ5sMMH19

— It's My Money™️ (@itsmymoney_) April 29, 2020

A8:

A8: Practice gratitude for small businesses by promoting them on social media! For example, you can make an IG story about a meal you had from their business or what workout you liked! A lot of small businesses repost IG stories! #CreditChat

— Angel Trinh | 7 Continents (@pnywisetraveler) April 29, 2020

A9:

A9b Quarantine has forced me to get reacquainted with the items I already own, including old clothes. I’m really excited to visit the seamstress and repair old garments so I can wear them in actual public. #CreditChat pic.twitter.com/wJ4So72ghr

— Sarah C Brady (@SCBrady) April 29, 2020

A10:

A10. #creditchat the biggest tip is to be patient, these business are doing their best to provide and serve you all while in distress due to this pandemic. Tip them even if you dont think they deserve it. We all have to stick together in order to survive

— Sha'Kreshia Terrell (@ShaKTerrell) April 29, 2020