Hello and Happy New Year to you, dear reader! Now that we’ve passed all of the holidays and have already begun failing at keeping up with New Year’s resolutions (at least I have, working out every day has quickly dwindled to working out every three days but, I digress) I hope everyone is getting back into the swing of things smoothly! 

One resolution I am keen on keeping is looking more closely at where and how I spend my dollars this year. 

I’m not sure if anyone else has noticed, but over the past year or so I’ve noticed the quality and customer experiences lacking at certain corporate giants in the area. Everything from a lack of staff at checkout, to lower quality products, to just the realization that I dread walking into the establishments in question, really hit hard towards the end of 2024. That is why I am making a pointed effort to start shopping small locally and, if I’m being honest, probably more ethically. 

According to the North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), small businesses (businesses with less than 500 employees) account for 99.6% of all businesses in the state, employing over 1.7 million people in various industries. I think there will be plenty of smaller options available to shop from! 

When I think about how I want to improve my community, spending local does seem to be at the lower end of my list of priorities. However, according to Sustainable Connections, an organization based in Bellingham Washington which focuses on advancing a regenerative local economy, for every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $68 recirculates and remains in our local economy. In contrast, only $43 remains in our community when it’s spent at a national chain. 

If I have to choose between shoveling my money into the endless capitalistic void that is a large faceless corporation, or helping a local teenager save up for a car in the summer by patronizing a local business, then I know which one I’m going to do. 

Speaking of keeping your dollars local, I hope area businesses are ready to be contacted for our upcoming Book on Business (BoB). Keep an eye on your inboxes! 

In the coming days we’ll also be announcing the date of our first Power Breakfast of 2025 where we’ll be unveiling the 2025 BoB! I’m excited to continue hosting the event and am so incredibly grateful for the positive community response we’ve received so far! 

I hope you enjoy our first issue of the year, and we look forward to a prosperous 2025! 

Happy Reading!