This week has had its up and downs in the growing the business world. I'm not the most technical person at times and this week I really struggled with website integrations. I Googled, reached out to the more experienced, chat supported, YouTubed... all of it. And still couldn't figure it out. Until today. (Like, just now) I don't know what or how it happened, but it just clicked and legit, I just want to scream with joy. I lost sleep over it. I got angry and upset over it. At one point, I wanted to just say "fuck it" and walk away, but I'm glad I didn't. It was frustrating, but worth it.
Now comes the new task of marketing. Getting the brand out there. Spreading the word. What's trending? Catchy hashtags and viral key words... targeted audiences and niche markets? In today's world, to be successful on the internet, it's not as simple as word of mouth. It's not even about who you know, it's what you know and how much you are willing to learn. This process has taught me a lot about myself. Hell, the past year in general has taught me a lot about myself.
I know what I am about to say sounds super cliche', but for real, you CAN do it if you really want to. The desire in me to make all of this work is strrrooonnggggg. I have plans. Big ones. That require me to make it happen. Money doesn't grow on trees and love only gets you so far. With the state of the current economy, the "American Dream" isn't as easily attainable as it once was. The good news is, small businesses are once again on the rise. Why? Because living is expensive. I work a 40 hour week, making decent wages, and I barely get by. I go to the grocery store and can barely afford feed myself. There is a demand for a solution... keeping it local. I've posted about it before and will likely post about it again. If we come together as a community and share the resources that we have, the local economy will thrive. We are no longer depending on outside sources but instead treat them as a convenience. I'm not a big box store that sells my goods at insanely inflated prices. I am local grower that can sell a tomato for 50 cents instead of $1.50, because I don't have the import taxes and overhead. I can sell you a 32oz cup of lemonade for $8 that doesn't have added preservatives, dyes, and artificial crap in it. Just a locally grown lemon, some beet sugar, and real fruit flavorings. I make cat scratchers that I can sell for close to nothing, because I am making them by hand out of boxes I would have otherwise thrown away. I make desserts much the same as my lemonades. Quality ingredients that you can feel good about consuming. You see where I am going with this? I buy local. That helps out Suzie so and so by putting food on her family's table. You buy from me and now you are supporting both me and another community member. You get a better product and the money stays here. Its not just me. Go hop on Facebook or Instagram or whatever social platform you use. Look up your community page. I'll put money on it that most any service or product you need you can find a neighbor that has it. If we all did this, imagine the impact it would have.
It's really that simple. Buy local. It works.
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