Showing your support and interest in other people’s work and business is a wonderful example of showing love to your community. It’s hard to start a business and there’s a lot entrepreneurs and first-time business owners have to sacrifice to make their dream real. The risks that come with it that can effect them and sometime’s even their families too, puts an even bigger pressure on them to succeed and follow through.

There’s so much put on the line that they have no other choice but to give it their all. One thing that helps ease that burden is the support of the people around them. The community can work wonders in ways that sometimes one person alone can’t do, even with financial stability and multiple resources. That’s why it’s so important to purchase from local businesses in your area, those mom-and-pop shops that were built with blood, sweat, and tears, and online businesses that are just starting up.

Life is a wall, you have to climb it by pushing others to climb over and you will be pushed as well. Give a helping hand today.

Bernard Kelvin Clive

If your loved ones start up something small, be their valued customer. Follow their social media pages, interact with their posts and pay the full price to whatever they’re offering. I was an ignorant potential customer that thought “oh, if someone I’m close to provides a product or service, I’ll be looking for the discount.” I realized how unsupportive that truly is ESPECIALLY when they’re just starting to build a foundation and create momentum given the fact that most businesses don’t end up making any real revenue until years later. It all depends but that’s how it is for most people.

Paying the full price tells them that we appreciate their work and that it has absolute value. Now further down the line, if they become millionaires, a discount wouldn’t be minded lol. Or if they choose to give you a discount as a gift, then you can accept it but other than that, just think about how you would want others to think and treat your business the day you decide to build one. Take into account all the struggles you’d have to face, how it would mean the world to you and how it would possibly save your dream by having that full support coming from them.

That being said, I’d like to mention 2 things. This photo of a colored-swirl record was actually made by my bestie Liv who’s an absolute creative when it comes to art. She ended up starting an instagram for her art pieces called @the_happylittlething and it’s mainly to spread her joy of creating such wonderful works which can also be yours if you just message her telling her what you want. This record could not have been more perfectly made for my room because the colors I chose from her stock fit the colors in my room to a T. Please check her out cause she rocks at what she does!

The other thing I wanted to mention is because it is Black History Month, don’t forget to support black-owned business, not just this month, but every single day! The great thing about showing love and support is that it’s not limited to anybody in particular. It’s free for everyone. You’ve invested in your craft like I mentioned in previous posts, now it’s time to support others investment in theirs. Here are just some black-owned businesses that you can show that love to:

Be their valued customer