Calling all Buy Local fans! We need your help to push Monadnock Buy Local up and over the summit of 200 members by May 1, 2013.
How can you help? This week, as you visit locally owned businesses, work with nonprofits and visit friends, neighbors and family members who own businesses, ask them, “Are you a Monadnock Buy Local Member?” If they say yes, thank them profusely (hugs may be appropriate!). However, if they say no, ask them if they have any questions about us. To help you answer some of their questions, current Monadnock Buy Local members contributed their own answers:
What is Monadnock Buy Local?
Missy Blanchard of MB Massage Studio in Keene answered, “We are group of businesses who share a common business value — supporting the businesses of our friends, neighbors and community.”
We come together to encourage our community to “think local first” (and make locally-owned businesses their first choice), help our local economy grow, meet like-minded business owners and find ways to source more of our own products and services locally. We are retailers, wellness providers, architects, bankers, chefs, farmers, grocers, artists and more – and we invite you to join with us!
How can it help my business/nonprofit? Why do others join?
“Individually we are all always talking about the benefits of buying locally, but it’s often with those who are already convinced. By joining together, the members of Monadnock Buy Local have the opportunity to reach a much bigger group of people and, through our events and directory, get the attention of a growing community of people eager to support locally owned businesses in the Monadnock Region,” shared Willard Williams of the Toadstool Bookshops. “We joined because we believe it is a necessary and effective way to keep our stores at their best, and, we hope, enjoyable places for locals to shop and as attractions for visitors.”
Peter Poanessa of Keene Signworx stated, “Joining with others to strengthen our local economy makes sense to me. I live here, I run my business here and my friends and neighbors live here. The last five years have been a reminder of how destructive giant businesses can be to us all. Strengthening the local economy is the only possible defense against such disruption.”
Missy added, “I joined to be a part of something that is positive and that celebrates the work and creations of our friends and neighbors. Being a member has reframed my own shopping habits. I more carefully choose where I spend my money and aim to keep a healthy percentage of what I spend at locally owned businesses.”
Am I eligible to become a member?
You can join if your business or organization is:
- Privately held and not publicly traded.
- Located in our community and 50% or more of the business ownership lives within a reasonable distance from the MBL footprint or in our state more than half of the year.
- Based locally with no corporate or national headquarters outside the state.
- Able to make independent decisions regarding the name and look of the business, as well as all business purchasing practices and distribution.
- Paying all marketing, rent, and other business expenses without assistance from a corporate headquarters.
Where can I learn more?
See who else is a member in your town by visiting http://monadnockbuylocal.wildapricot.org/Directory and learn more about Monadnock Buy Local from them. Or learn more from Monadnock Buy Local at www.monadnocklocal.org or contact us at 603-283-5401, monadnockbuylocal@gmail.com.
It takes our whole region to help Monadnock Buy Local reach its membership summit. We appreciate your help and your individual commitment to supporting our amazing network of diverse businesses in our region, owned by friends and neighbors, and to strengthening our local economy.
