Sauk Valley Shop Small shopping bag |
For many this was the first time meeting in person. The mood was festive and camaraderie infectious. We actually got a chance to sit and talk, get to know one another without distractions of running a busy small business. During this time, we all decided that SVSS should be more than the once a year event called Small Business Saturday. Brainstorming ensued and one idea was to band together and order SVSS shopping bags that merchants could use throughout the year. Going in together the cost would be lower. Using the bags would increase exposure of Sauk Valley Shop Small to the public. On that note, we were off and running.
Treats at Tuff Dog Bakery |
Vicki Mandrell of Tuff Dog Bakery |
Vicki spearheaded the program, lined up a printer and got us all going. Working on this project while trying to run a small business is no easy task. But, small businesses owners are used to wearing multiple hats managing day to day retail, and behind the scenes projects and planning. Finding time to work on community projects doesn't come easy. But the payoffs are great and the more people pitching in the quicker projects lift off.
So here's where this story is at for me. It's not about the bag its self, but rather the community rally behind the bag. When you get more than one brain working on a project, and you've got a surplus of team spirit, amazing things happen. You know how they always say that in any group there's a 20/80 rule? Twenty percent of a group are doers and the remaining 80... well you know. The thing about SVSS is that it's built from people that are used to being the doers in a group, small business owners and cultural people. Those types are cut from cloth that does not fear hard work, seeks creative solutions and embraces change.
Tenacity, creativity and hard work are key ingredients to survive this economy. Even then, sometimes it simply isn't enough. We lost a couple of our SVSS businesses after the new year. The times are tough right now, and if there were ever a time for a community solution to weather the storm and lay ground for future golden days it is here. That is one of the main reasons SVSS exists. It is an opportunity to band together and generate real, long-lasting, grass roots change. And as a small business owner, I know that people in our communities are ready.
At Distinctive Gardens for the last few springs they come right up and tell us,
''We've made the commitment to shop local and patronize the small independent retailers in our area".
So when you're out and about in the Sauk Valley patronizing your favorite small shop, look for the SVSS shopping bag and you'll know you're a customer of a small business that values banding together to lift the entire community.
Until then, be well, shop small, and be a force for cultural good in your community.