Why shopping local has a greater impact than you realised!
Shop Local campaigns emerged in North America around 2003 as an outreach of support to the small businesses in local communities, and also a revolt against local job loss and economic disturbance. This disturbance is more important and complicated than most people realise, which is why this initiative is so important.
Let’s start with the basics. When someone spends money in a store locally owned it is definitively given to a local working class family, and usually that family will reinvest most of that money right back into their own economy. What this does is maintain the wealth and the affiliated energy of that wealth in their community.
But what if I work locally and don’t shop locally. What if I take all of my money and shop at big box stores owned by investor groups and run by CEOs. What happens in this scenario is I am taking my money given to me by locals and giving a much larger chunk to people outside of my community. So the CEO gets a bit of my local community, and the investors get some, while the people who actually run the store and live locally get a much smaller cut. What this means is every time we invest in a brand not locally owned and operated, we are hurting our local economy to some percentage. We are basically giving away our communities' well being with every purchase.
Here at JCC, along with our affiliated partners, we try to live by a set of guidelines that promote and strengthen the local businesses in the community we live and work in, minimizing our affiliations with those big box or corporate run operations.
Personal rules JCC and affiliated partners are trying to live by:
I will not go to a chain affiliated restaurant
I try my best to shop locally before using big box stores
I try my best to invest in stores operated directly by their ownership
I consciously minimise any negative economic impact to my local community
How can you support your community and be supported by your community?
Recycle! Buying second hand items is not only extremely cost effective, it also reduces waste and eliminates the need for more unnecessary production. Use local buy-sell groups online, thrift stores, and friends and family to spread good fortune and to benefit from the good fortune of others.
Fully depreciate your assets whenever possible or donate to someone that will. How often do you go to the dump and think to yourself, wow we as a community throw out a lot of nice stuff. The sad truth is everyday fairly wealthy nations like Canada waste endlessly, but every person can make a difference within their community and daily lives.
Why donating items locally is essential!
On top of the other great reasons, such as recycling and local support, donating local gives you peace of mind, since you know exactly where your items are going without any corrupt bureaucracy. Did you know Goodwill has a CEO making hundreds of thousands a year while the front line works for the most part are volunteers? This is a pure example of corruption. When you donate the items you have loved to local second hand stores, local shelters, and local charities, you know for a fact that your contribution is staying within the community.
Here is an article written to help minimise the shame, but even still it will leave a bad taste in your mouth related to goodwill.
https://www.countryliving.com/shopping/a18198848/is-goodwill-a-nonprofit/
Farmer's Markets
One of the greatest ways to shop and support local is through your local farmer's markets! Typically, they are filled with fresh crops from the area, as well as home baked treats, and specialty items made by people in the local community. This puts the consumer's money directly in the pockets of friends and neighbours while allowing them to continue to grown their business.
Chains can be independently owned
Yes it is true that many chains are independently owned, but that does not mean that they are operated by local ownership or that their profits are staying in the community. If a chain store has a local owner, whom you know and trust, that is one thing. I know some chain owners who are big contributors in their local community. But at the end of the day the bulk of the profits are still in the hands of the big-wig CEO's. Do your research, know who owns the chain stores in the local area, and respond accordingly.
There are many, sadly, who don't contribute to the local economy. Here is a quote from an article discussing the minimum wage hike:
“Employees say the owners of the franchises are at their winter home in Florida. “ https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/tim-horton-s-tims-timmies-doubledouble-minimum-wage-ontario-kathleen-wynne-labour-1.4470215
I wonder how many of their employees even have a full time home of their own. Never mind two, plus a business and no need to work or support their community.
Why would anyone want to support an ownership that is taking money directly from Canadians and giving it to America’s economy? This is the direct support of the military industrial complex which goes around the world destroying honest families. But I’ll leave the bulk of this subject for another time. The main point is if the ownership worked in the store it would be easier to support them, or even if their money was going to another part of Canada.
“What’s the problem?
Further evidence to support local individuals you know is how many big companies that don’t pay their fair share of taxes. Why should you a member of the hardworking middle class pay 40% in taxes when CEO’s who make many times more pay a much lower percentage or nothing at all.
http://projects.thestar.com/canadas-corporations-pay-less-tax-than-you-think/
Corporations are also subject to tax rules that are different from those that apply to personal income.
"Small businesses pay an average combined federal and provincial tax of around 15 per cent on their profits. In other words, if you make $100,000 in profits, you’ll pay $15,000 in corporate taxes. But if you wanted to pay yourself the remaining $85,000 as a salary, the current rules make sure that your total tax burden is equivalent to that faced by anyone else who earned that amount during the year.” https://globalnews.ca/news/3743459/trudeau-tax-reforms-tax-loopholes-small-business/
What does corporate control mean?
In the simple terms it means control and power of communities is given away to faceless psychopaths who already own far too large a percentage of everything including your government and all of their debt. Which of course corrupt politicians don’t mind extending rather than eliminating.
So what can we do about it?
Don’t support corporations, don’t support businesses that aren’t locally owned and operated. Don’t donate to chains or corrupt non for profits, don’t waste goods. Recycle and depreciate assets. Hire locals, help your neighbours and your local communities.
Who can I recommend?
Here is just a small sample of local businesses that contribute to strong local communities.
Try It Again is a thrift store with a large variety
of products located at 1056 Mosley Street in
Wasaga Beach. Their hours are currently 11 am to 5 pm daily and they have recently opened up a 9 hole mini putt. Check them out and like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TryItAgainWasaga/
Mindful Reflexology is a home business where reflexologist Jinhwa helps people open up the body's pathways through the ancient art of Reflexology. She is also a wonderful person who volunteers to help the homeless problem in Barrie. Check out her Facebook and website. https://www.facebook.com/Mindfulreflexology/https://www.mindfulreflexology.ca/
White Bear Haven is a wonderful retreat location, hosted by a great healer Alda. Her contributions to society through her teachings, talks, and Agnihotra are easy to admire once understood. If you think you need a reality check, a cleanse, a new beginning. This could be your gateway to a better life.
Zio's in Barrie is a family friendly Italian Restaurant located at 110 Anne Street S. On Facebook this business has 24 reviews and each and everyone is 5 stars. The comments discuss the great service, great value and great flavours. They also do an exceptional job at catering events in house or on site, come in or find them at Skip The Dishes.
Rick Dawson Remax Chay is a local realtor with a life time of experience in the Barrie area, he also has spent 20 years learning low pressure sales, and with a passion for awareness and morality he has been working towards providing those who live on the cusp of the middle class the highest opportunity for success. This is done by helping renters find homes free of charge and highlighting the value of rent to own programs. Call him direct at 705-718-2306 or find him on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/RickDawsonRE/
The Jewel Box located at 489 River Road West in Wasaga Beach has been in business since 1945. In that time there has been a few different focuses, but throughout all of it they have been a rooted family in their community. Today it's a great place to shop for gifts, visit for the sake of the beautiful castle and to find find your entire jeweller needs. Check out their Facebook at
Alley's Cleaning & Homecare is a small business located in Penetanguishene by owner and operator Allison Smith. If you have any needs related to cleaning regularly, one offs, special events or commercial cleaning. Contact her at 705-427-5357 or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Alleys-Cleaning-and-Homecare-844589555703698/
Located in Wasaga Beach Dave's Odd Jobs Extraordinaire is one of the best at completing difficult physical tasks in a timely and cost effective manner. Call him today at today at 705-994-2286.
Each and everyone of us appreciate your support of local communities
Written by Joseph McDonald
Edited by Sydney Osborne
Joe Company Consulting
416-998-5037
Joseph_McDonald10@hotmail.com
www.joecompanyconsulting.com
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=imgres&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiM7ej_sJLcAhUm6oMKHYySAkcQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3AShop_Local_with_Rely_Local_logo.jpg&psig=AOvVaw0I2UIK5spYoMKdzuLfQ96J&ust=1531238213222067
http://www.connectourfuture.org/tools/buy-local-campaign/
https://www.amiba.net/buy-local-campaigns/
https://www.amiba.net/buy-local-campaigns/mistakes-fail/
https://www.pinterest.ca/theamiba/buy-local-campaign-ideas/?lp=true
