Small Businesses Will Save America's Communities (But We Need to Do Our Part)
By Quint Studer
Start-ups and small companies are crucial to the success of our nation. When they thrive, America thrives. Most of us know this instinctively, and we've just kicked off a week that makes it official. During National Small Business Week, awards will be given, high achievers honored, and special events held throughout the country.
All of the honors and accolades are well-deserved. But this year I'd like to ask all Americans to go a step further: let's make National Small Business Week a week we celebrate in a very personal and meaningful way. Shop small. Shop local. And yes...shop small and local as often as you can.
Why is it so important that we citizens put our money where our mouth is? Consider the numbers. The U.S. Small Business Administration says small businesses create two out of every three net new jobs in the private sector. And over half of all Americans own or work for a small business.
And small businesses have never been more important than they are right now. They are the economic engine that powers communities—and healthy communities are the key to stabilizing families and citizens in the wake of rapid change.
Small businesses have a huge and vital role to play in shoring up America's struggling communities. They are being called to fill the void created by the loss of "pillar" institutions like banks, hospitals, and media outlets.
A few decades ago these "pillars" were locally owned. Now, due to the forces of globalization, many are part of larger conglomerates. Then, the owners of these organizations were committed to keeping local economies vibrant. Their livelihood depended on it. Now, they live elsewhere and no longer have that personal connection to the community.
So entrepreneurs and small business owners have a huge job to do. As citizens we need them to thrive. And they need our support. It's a symbiotic relationship.
Small businesses provide jobs and keep the dollars circulating locally. Their owners have an active and personal interest in the well-being of their community. They live there. Their kids go to school there. They care about what happens. When they generate wealth, these business owners are more likely to turn around and reinvest in the community.
This is why I say that small businesses will save us. They can and will lead the way in creating the thriving communities Americans desperately want and need. When communities are vibrant, there are more high-paying jobs. Young people don't have to leave to find work. People can afford to shop. Quality of life improves. There's more money for schools and programs that lift people out of poverty. Everyone wins.
To citizens in communities that are mired in an economic slump, this may sound like a dream come true. But it doesn't have to be a dream. Every community can move toward vibrancy—but only if we join together to make it happen. All real, sustainable change is citizen powered.
Why not go out this week and buy your kids' summer clothes from a small boutique, or shop for spring flowers or tomato plants at your local hardware store? You'll probably find the service and experience to be far richer than what you get online or at big box retailers.
And don't do it just this week. Do it every week. Make it a habit. When you do business locally, you're not just making a purchase. You're making a conscious choice to support your own community. There is no better investment.
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Quint Studer is author of Building a Vibrant Community: How Citizen-Powered Change Is Reshaping America (Be the Bulb Publishing, 2018, ISBN: 978-0-9981311-1-5, $24.95) and founder of Pensacola's Studer Community Institute, a nonprofit organization focused on improving the community's quality of life and moving Escambia and Santa Rosa counties forward.
In 2000 Quint founded a consulting firm designed to help organizations improve results. Over the years it won multiple awards, including the 2010 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. By the time the firm was sold in 2015, it had 250 employees.
In addition to Building a Vibrant Community, Quint has authored seven books, including Results That Last, which reached number seven on the Wall Street Journal bestseller list. For more information, visit www.vibrantcommunityblueprint.com and www.studeri.org
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Invest in Success
Application Open: April 15th
Application Deadline: May 10th
Applications for Invest in Success, our capacity-building program for nonprofit leaders across rural Utah, are due on Friday! Please don't forget to submit your application for a chance to participate.
This immersive and free program brings leaders to Salt Lake City for workshops on board governance, organizational finance, marketing, leading change, and advocacy. Upon completion of the in-person training, the cohort will have the opportunity to apply for funding to implement a project based on the training curriculum.
See our website for more information. For any additional questions, email rosemary@utahcf.org.
Utah Ethical Leadership Award
Application Open: May 1st
Application Deadline: June 21st
In honor of Bill Daniels, the Utah Ethical Leadership Award recognizes leadership in Utah businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government entities that embody best practices in ethical behaviors. Nominations are now being accepted.
For more information visit our website. Email rosemary@utahcf.org for any additional questions.
We won! CFU is proud to announce that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Council on Foundations presented us with the 2019 Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships. The award recognizes innovative partnerships between foundations and government that have been critical in transforming communities and improving the quality of life for low- and moderate-income residents across the country.
Thanks for all your support to help our organization grow and better serve the wonderful state of Utah!
Read the full press release here. Watch the video here.
Interested in attending the Spring 2019 Social Investors Forum to hear other organizations pitch their innovative ideas? This event will be held June 5th from 8:30 to 11:15 a.m at Kiln, Salt Lake City. RSVP to ensure your spot!
Love Utah Give Tuesday will be discontinued to shift resources to grow long-term funding for community organizations. Learn more about the change h
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FREE LIVE WEBINAR THIS WEEK
After the Diagnosis: Achieving ADHD Acceptance, Treatment, and Momentum
with Ari Tuckman, Psy.D.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019 @ 1pm ET
Can't attend the live webinar?
As long as you register now, we'll email you the replay link
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A new diagnosis of ADHD can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, there is the relief from understanding the neurological roots of your or your child’s actions and behavior. On the other hand, there is confusion, overwhelm, and questions — about the emotional challenges, how the condition plays out in your daily life, and effective treatments.
