Why Small Businesses and Non-Profit Organizations are the Cornerstones of the Community

On a recent trip prior to moving to the beautiful city of Austin, TX, my girlfriend Jordan and I explored the city as tourists and new residents of the great state of Texas. As we explored the many food trucks, murals, beautiful landscapes and boutiques, we made a stop at the #1 destination for a sneaker head in Austin, NiceKicks. NiceKicks is a local sneaker shop, but even more than a sneaker shop, they have served as a sneaker source for the latest kicks to drop each month from Nike, Jordan, Adidas and more, for the world. As I browsed the endless displays of varying sneaker brands, I also discussed the city of Austin with the young staff and one of the most important questions for a black man…where can I get a good haircut here?

Upon receiving their suggestions of the best barber in Austin, along with the best places for brunch, more sneakers and tourist spots, they also suggested that we check out another vintage thrift shop just down the street. We ended going to the thrift shop and buying from there as well. A simple conversation about barbers and sneakers led us to supporting another small business in the Austin area. The simple conversation demonstrated how connected small businesses are to the community and how they support each other.

The connections and suggestions gathered from a simple visit to a small business in Austin, TX is reflective of how so many small businesses throughout the country serve as the voice and culture of the communities in which they are located. Small businesses have served a vital role in our communities in so many ways, such as havens during violent protests (see: Ben’s Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C.), resource centers for customers to connect, headquarters for politicians during election season and so much more.

Just as small businesses serve as the central hub for culture and the voice of the community, local non-profit organizations work to improve the communities that our small businesses serve. Communities just like families, need support, trust and guidance which many non-profit organizations work tirelessly to achieve for the residents of the communities. They work to address issues from domestic violence, homelessness, environmental preservation, education and so many other areas that make up a community.

The connection between small businesses and non-profits must be made in each city/ town, small or large to improve the overall sense of community that we all desire. As large corporations move into a city, they bring many opportunities for employment, but they are not the voice and culture of the communities that they inhabit. A corporation’s impact is far reaching and doesn’t always connect to the immediate issues in the local communities. As the historical staples and hubs that small businesses are, and the issues that small non-profits work to address, an ongoing partnership between both would be best to help the local issues of the communities that they serve.