The times they are a-changin’.
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Understand this after years of neglect the Black Business sector will need you to be patient as well as your your patronage.
In 2003 I began working to help local businesses specifically in Brooklyn. I soon discovered that when there is great need and little resources Patience was a valuable asset. While I usually look at this from the changes that the small business owner needs to make. This post addresses the changes the consumer will need to make
PATRONAGE ; – Definition A
” the financial support or business provided to a store, hotel, or the like, by customers, clients, or paying guests” … but dealing with small and in particular black businesses is not dealing with fast food or a fast fashion chain. Sometimes you will need to allow for time and expect to shop a it differently that the fast
- Place orders early… many make on demand… so shipping within 24 hours
- Prices may be higher fair, sustainable, living wages will do that … PLEASE DO NOT WRANGLE OVER PRICE -many do not produce in Asia
- Be open to making deposits or paying up front, most black businesses need the cash advance ..
- Tell your friends – Business owners respect privacy and many make one of a kind…
- Write down what your expect and verify orders color- size, length, no of items…
- Check Sizing before ordering- small businesses cannot absorb the loss from returns most businesses c Take measurements – chest , waist, hip, ring size, wrist, hat size… waist to floor
- Most businesses operate from home … Be open to meeting at public spaces or shopping at someone’s home , pop up store or collective. – (Churches & community organizations & restaurants can open their community rooms and other spaces… )
- Go Cashless if concerned about carrying cash … join social payment site and load your Cash into these.. easiest if not sure you want to hand over your personal info…
- PayPal here, email, mobile, PayPal here, add money with MoneyPak …
- Give and accept gift certificates… especially those that can be redeemed in 2015
- You may have to pay for shipping… (Imagine that), but small businesses cannot absorb the cost of shipping … so shop early…
Finding them- getting listings from local businesses is one such challenge, and one of the things that local businesses need to improve…
- Offline walk the neighborhoods and check in
- Locally encourage your church to a directory of their business owners… and handy men/women. Create a similar for your block association…
Google “Black Business Directory” #blackbusinessdirectories - Join my mailing list to be sent a list of events & shopping offers http://vip.bonniesandy.com
http://catalog.demarketplace.com Last year I started a list – DeMarketplace – Look around but enquire about current prices….PATRONAGE ; – Definition B
“Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings, popes and the wealthy have provided to artists such as musicians, painters, and sculptors.” via en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patronage - Support them Give a word of encouragement, ask for fliers and distribute,
- Bring a friend to shop – many host events get on their mailing list
- Volunteer to host a shopping or business introduction party…
- Babysit for family members who have businesses or take the kids on a Saturday… or their busy day. Cook and take their family a meal…
- Be an angel to their business… make a pledge of support for a year – smal monthly “gifts” or regular purchases. Gift them a surprise payment of a utility bill, a Gas card
Few expect that they will need to be patient! Few expect that there will be a period of adjustment and yes there are ways to support a potential ecosystem… In an analogy of a Farmer starting a farm there is the prepping the soil, ensuring channels to distribute supplies and the run of excess. Create opportunities for fertilization, germination, gestation, incubation/acceleration, growth, harvesting… distribution. Sometimes you even need to plan for showcasing and teaching how to buy/shop – cook/consume. Even the development secondary product lines… In the ten years I have worked on concepts that address each and now taking that info to create products services and merchandise. www.demarketplace.com specifically addresses sharing info from black creatives. I took this year to work on issues artsans face and to create solutions of support! We have not updated the info but artisans can submit … in 2015 we’ll be opening workshops get on a list to be sent product info www.demarketplace.com/subscribe
If the only reason you’re supporting #Boycottblackfriday, is to send a message on #Fergusion. Then you’re part of the #problem…