Big and Small - Is it Always a Choice?

If you have offered your pet a treat, they will most likely take the largest one in your hand. Big equals more or so we are often taught.

Small Business Owners often compete against larger organizations. However, even the most ardent small business advocates, like us, are sometimes forced to use larger, national or international brands.

Geography plays a key role in how you choose your vendors. If you need something immediately or on an emergency basis, the store you have shopped for years that is out of town just cannot fulfill the urgent need. Having relocated to a more remote town recently, we have experienced this in a few key areas. We have been able to identify a local printer, many local eateries and a family owned office supply store. But many items needed quickly have forced us to frequent national chains much more often than ever before.

When faced with geographic barriers, ordering more inventory or supplies than usual is an option to consider. However, that requires you have more money upfront for the increased amount. This is sometimes hard to achieve for a small business. It is worth a conversation with your past suppliers in case there is a volume discount they can provide you with in order to keep your business.

One of our best sources of local supplier information has been the realtor that sold us the new home and found the leased office we use. She is a great resource for most items or services we are seeking. Places and people that we cannot find in an online search. It is critical to always have someone on the ground to help you navigate new locations. You can find them masked as a realtor, a religious organization, a neighbor, a local small business chapter or group. Using local suppliers is certainly worth the extra effort and conversations trying to locate them.

Smaller urban settings, country or rural areas may not always offer the conveniences of local business suppliers. If you have exhausted all efforts, it is fine to use franchise or national resources. At a minimum, they employ local people and add value to your community through such employment. Big is certainly not always better but sometimes it is simply a necessity.

Be well.