'Small Business Saturday' has become a national phenomenon. As a new employee with the 马尼斯蒂地区商会, 我总是听到这句话, 'every season is small business season'... 有充分的理由!

When any business joins the 商会, they invest in the betterment of the community and everyone in it. Everyone thrives when the community thrives, and the Chamber is constantly advocating for them. The Chamber also acts as the Manistee Downtown Development Authority, responsible for providing grant opportunities, and successfully opened the ‘Stee Social District in 2021. 

I can see just how important small businesses are for the community: shopping locally helps small businesses, 哪些投资商会, 建立我们的马尼斯蒂社区. But what do small businesses have to say about themselves? 

今年11月, I asked Chamber investors who run small businesses across Manistee County the following question: What do you enjoy about being a small business in Manistee County?

以下是他们中的一些人说的话:

莎莉·昆，杰克松商务中心

一句话... 的关系." 

“作为一个小企业主, 这与经济财富无关, but we are rich in the 的关系 we build over the years: our customers, 我们的同事, 我们的供应商, 和其他企业主."

Kelly Mecham, Clean Lines Tattoo Company LLC

"We get to know our clients by name and with most of our clients we become intertwined in each other lives."

"We can run specials for our community like overdose awareness, 预防自杀, Breast Cancer Awareness and donate back into our community. We have a genuine investment in our community as they do in us."

海岸森林视觉公司的帕梅拉·林奇

"We get to truly connect with our patients and their families to provide personalized, 优质的眼部护理和眼镜."

"The practice has always been connected to the greater community in purposeful ways, and we look forward to many more years of this tradition growing our happy place."

Laura Betts, DVM, Parkdale Veterinary Wellness Center

"Being a small business owner in Manistee brings joy from the deep community connections, 对当地经济的直接影响, and the unwavering support from loyal customers who are our community neighbors."

“我们可以灵活应变. Engaging with Manistee’s unique identity and contributing to its growth makes every day rewarding."

Pamela Schindlbeck, Pamela's Interiors, Design & 建设公司.

"We have been in Manistee County since 1998 and love our area because we have become friends with our customers. They have been satisfied with our quality of workmanship by referring their friends and family to us. Our business has grown immensely over the past 25 years."

艾米丽·波默罗伊，灯塔房地产公司

"We enjoy being personally involved in shaping the future of our community by welcoming new families to Manistee County… understanding that buying or selling a home can be a stressful, we commit ourselves to simplifying the process."

"You're not just collaborating with a real estate agency; you're working with a trusted friend and member of this community."

Aliena Broome, La Catrina Mexican Nishinaab

"We enjoy being able to be a part of such a tight-knit community and being able to be involved with the locals."

"As owners, we have a hand in almost every decision that is made. Supporting small businesses helps our community grow and advance as a whole."

NUVU燃料公司的卡森·伯杰

"What we enjoy about being a small business is the ability to show our passion and creativity in our business. We have ability to pivot and change our business based on our communities needs at any time." 

"[Manistee] truly is a group of individual businesses working together to create a community that is greater than any one entity."

丽贝卡·赫德，Dunegrass

"Supporting small businesses not only contributes economic benefits to our community but charitable and innovative ones as well." 

"While operating a small business has allowed us to gain local support, contributing to community charities has given us the pride of being local."

迪安娜·马什，北方香料公司

"We enjoy EVERYTHING about being a small business in Manistee County. The resources of Manistee County lend many great opportunities and opportunity lends way to 的关系." 

"Being a small business owner allows us to serve our community through giving back and allows us to frequent all the wonderful businesses Manistee has to offer!"

答案不言自明.

Besides shopping local, how can we support small business season, every season? 一个人可以向别人推荐企业, 在网上发表评论, follow these businesses on social media… one can even use 马尼斯蒂县$h, accepted at over 30 locally owned business, 可以在 ManisteeChamber.com.

There is no doubt that small businesses play a crucial role in any community, including our own.

Blade Gates是市场营销 & 通信 Specialist for the 马尼斯蒂地区商会, 一个非盈利的501 C(6)组织. Our mission is to build a dynamic and sustainable organization to serve the Business, 劳动力, and Economic Development needs of all in Manistee County. You can contact Gates at 231-723-2575 or communications@pjsyy.net