For innkeepers, sharing ideas. Sending referrals. Sharing as much of yourselves as you can with guests. And remembering that your competition keep you on your toes; they're to be cherished for the gently ambitious impact they can have on us. Never has there been a better time for understanding what it really means to be a good neighbor.
I'm also a longtime supporter of Buying Local initiatives. From the Slow Food Movement to organizations like BALLE who help local communities build their own Buy Local coalitions, there's some good work going on out there in helping us all keep our dollars in our local communities, where they'll do the most good.
One relatively new organization, the 3/50 Project, is already having a big impact and asks the simple question:
What three independently owned businesses would you miss if they disappeared?
An interesting thought.
But even better, they've come up with a simple plan for helping to make sure those 3 favorite businesses don't fold.
Pick 3. Spend 50.
$50 per month on your 3 favorite local businesses.
Not necessarily all 3 each month. But $50 each month on those 3 local shops you really really want to see stay with us.
I can do that. Surely you can, too.
Check them out. And sign up. I did.
