Every Friday, I feature a hodgepodgery (yes, I made that up) of info on local small businesses. Please be sure to check them out and go by and visit them! San Francisco is a city full of inspiring and creative individuals that operate and manage some really fantastic small businesses! Recycle local dollars!
3 Reasons to pull out your wallet for local businesses. I wanted to share this article from Owners Only blog with you. http://shar.es/mjpHo
Check your backyard, there are collaborations, clients and cash hiding out! SFLOMA was founded by a group of merchants from locally owned businesses. They currently have over 200 members representing a wide range of retail and service categories. Locally owned businesses re-circulate more money in the local economy than national chains. So not only are our businesses competitive, quirky, friendly, unique, and creative, we better support the local economy.
Working from home? Get out, get some fresh air, check out some virtual places and greet some new faces! Here are some local “hot-spots” for you:
Coffee Bar Love, love, love this place to do work! Great food, good vibe, a lot of entrepreneurs working, free wi-fi, plugs for gadgets (no one has plugs anymore!), great lighting and atmosphere and they have out-door seating. Submitted by Ashleigh Harris, Gyrobike
Panera Bread Bakery My favorite virtual hotspot for doing business is Panera Bread Bakery. It offers a casual atmosphere that is very quiet. It has little nooks and crannies so you can bring your laptop and enjoy free wireless with a refreshing sandwich or green tea! Its quiet enough to allow for business calls and I do a lot of business there when I am on the go. Submitted by Gary Nicholson, Relevant Trafik
San Francisco Public Library The best virtual location hands down (and it seems boring, at first) the public library. We LOVE it. Our city main branch (Matthew is in Indianapolis, but the local SFPL is amazing) has music, movies, free wi-fi, a rockin’ cafe, and multiple work zones depending on mood (egg chairs, yeah, the really cool ones, couches, desks, etc). I also love that there are private study rooms that seat 8 or so people. We do conf. calling, and even host clients in them on occasion. Our clients love meeting us there. We have found that nearly all medium to large libraries - in each city - are a good place to virtual office when you are out and about. Submitted by Matthew Griffin, Baker's Edge
Also, have you met these local businesses? …
Who: At Chore Service (Manny Apolonio)
What: Professional concierge service
Where: Upper Market and Castro, Duboce Triangle and all of San Francisco
For Whom: Busy professionals and small business owners
Why: In a down economy it's your relationships that will sustain you and it's my belief that being a repeat customer is the best way to consistently receive great service. I bring local businesses clients they normally would not have access to. In return for my loyalty they give me excellent service, which further enhances my professional brand. As a concierge, my business is about knowing who does what and who is the best in their particular industry. My clients trust my opinion and I need to be able to trust my connections treat my clients with excellent customer service. For example, when Lilah Belle's launched at 18th and Church, they offered a solution my clients were yearning for: healthy, proportioned, pre-made meals made especially for the time-strapped health-conscious consumer. I instantly fell in love with Traci Higgins' masterfully created meals and the concept of ready to eat meals.
Who: Mares & Dow Construction
What: local construction firm (remodeling, design build and custom homes)
Where: San Francisco
For Whom: Landlords looking to improve or maintain their properties, businesses (restaurants and hotels) building new properties or remodeling existing locations and individual homeowners looking to remodel, renovate, or make additions.
Why: Integrity through local sources. The 27-year partnership between Archie Mares & Dennis Dow has brought collaboration with a wide range of suppliers and vendors across the Bay area, such as Dolan Lumber, Ashby Lumber, and Morrall Architecture to ensure the integrity of price and value for money.
Who: Zooniwear (Jack Wang)
What: hand-made and -knit children’s accessories. Our line includes hats, mittens and 3D animal socks which, with their wild and zany designs, are each one-of-a-kind.
Where: San Francisco
For whom: Moms and kids (0-6)
Why: Each of our pieces are just as unique its wearer. Handmade from natural cotton and custom yarns, they stand out from the assembly line-produced mass filling “Mart” shelves. As a small start-up, we understand the importance of reinvesting in our own community. This is why we rely on local businesses for our day-to-day operations. Whenever we need something done, whether it’s a new brochure design or a series of new display stands, we turn to those working around us. Zooni donates a portion of its proceeds local schools and hospitals; as well as helps maintain the national parks in our area.
Remember, recycle local small business dollars. Check your backyard, there are collaborations, clients and cash hiding out!
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