As small business owners, we know first-hand how difficult it is to build a profitable business and remain competitive in today's market. You put in countless hours of work to develop your goods or services, craft and perfect your business plan, and market your business on every social media imaginable, all while managing the demands of your personal life. Not to mention dealing with the everchanging world around us all, full of global health concerns, financial insecurity, and unpredictable political conflicts.

Of course, there are thousands of examples of small businesses that defied the odds and built something truly magical, and incredibly profitable. We've all heard the stories like Jeff Bezos with his "Amazon" sign in his garage, and more often than not, we tend to focus on the individual who stayed the course and made things happen with the sweat of their own brow.

We believe there is another key ingredient in the formula of small business success, and that is the support of the community around that business. There are few things more heartwarming than seeing a community unite in support of their local business owners. Growing up in Saginaw, MI, my friends and I often piled up in our cars after a big game to enjoy a meal at the local deli, we bought flowers on mother's day from the nursery near the school and got our suits for prom tailored at the same place our parents got their clothes for their wedding.

This kind of support is what our Magazine is all about, and if you want to be a champion of your community's small business owners, follow these 3 tips:

1. Start with your friends and family!

As consumers, we have our favorites. That's an unavoidable fact, and it can be hard to choose unknown options for our favorite foods, clothes, or activities, even if we want to support our community.

To overcome this, look around on your social media, and you'll likely see several people you know and love with businesses they own. They present the perfect opportunity to start supporting local businesses since you already have a strong relationship built on shared experiences and trust. But please, don't go expecting the friends and family discount all the time!

2. Now Branch out and get involved in the community

It's kind of hard to know what's going on in your community from the comfort of your home, and even if social media is a valuable tool to stay informed and engaged, there's no substitute for being physically present as much as possible. I know this as well as anyone. (Because I have a lot of room to improve!)

So start small. Find a cafe that serves your favorite latte, and try their variation. Choose a local gym over a national chain, or see if a local boutique has some new pieces that match your unique style. Then, once you find local businesses that you love, tell a friend, and remain a consistent supporter. Eventually, their goods and services will replace the mainstream options you've always relied on.

3. Business owners, get involved as well!

This one is for the business owners. It can be very tempting to keep your eyes focused only on growing your business, and that temptation only intensifies once you start experiencing success. "Don't forget where you came from," is a tired cliche, but it's based on a noble idea - wanting to reinvest and support the community that helped a person or business grow. Look for opportunities to hire and source your resources locally, and consider opportunities to volunteer your time or talents to local causes.

Speaking of supporting local businesses, allow us to introduce this weeks' WORD UP Wednesday spotlight business - Is That Ace Customs. They restore well-loved shoes and also create breathtaking custom designs for any shoe you can imagine.

Find them at the following socials:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/isthatacecustom

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@isthatacecustoms?lang=en