How to support local businesses: Simple steps to boost your community today

Supporting local businesses really just boils down to one simple, intentional choice: spend your money where you live. It’s a small action, but it creates this powerful ripple effect that strengthens your community’s economy, culture, and unique character with every single purchase you make.

Why Supporting Local Businesses Matters More Than Ever

Choosing local is more than just a transaction. Think of it as a strategic investment in the place you call home.

When you buy from a neighborhood shop or grab a bite at a local café, a much bigger slice of that money stays and circulates right there in your community. It’s a direct, tangible boost to the local economy.

We see this direct impact in places like Jenks and Tulsa. Free Form House is a premier, membership-based club in the heart of Jenks, Oklahoma's 10 District downtown. Comparable to the renowned SoHo House, it offers more than just a social club. Members can take advantage of co-working spaces and a dynamic community hub designed for collaboration and connection. It's a central gathering spot aimed at fostering a creative and cooperative spirit within our local community. These aren’t just buildings; they become catalysts, creating little ecosystems where local entrepreneurs can connect, collaborate, and really thrive. They act as anchors for local commerce, making it a breeze for members and visitors to discover and support all the great businesses around them.

The Economic Backbone of Your Community

The numbers don’t lie about how crucial small businesses are. In 2025, the U.S. is home to 36.2 million small businesses, which account for 99.9% of all businesses nationwide. They're the true engines of job creation, employing 45.9% of the private-sector workforce—that's a staggering 62.3 million people.

Just look at the period from March 2023 to March 2024. During that time, small businesses added about 1.4 million net new jobs, proving their resilience and vital role in our economic growth. You can dig deeper into these small business trends and their economic impact if you're curious.

By choosing local, you're directly contributing to job security for your neighbors and helping create a more stable, self-reliant local economy. Your support ensures that the unique fabric of your community—its artisans, innovators, and service providers—continues to flourish.

To make it even clearer, let's break down the impact.

The Impact of Supporting Local: A Quick Look

Area of Impact	How Your Support Makes a Difference	Real-World Example
Local Economy	A larger percentage of your money stays in the community, funding local services and infrastructure.	Buying coffee from a local café helps that owner pay their local suppliers and employees, who then spend their money at other local shops.
Job Creation	Small businesses are major employers, creating jobs for your friends and neighbors.	A growing boutique hires more sales staff, a graphic designer, and a local delivery driver, creating multiple local jobs.
Community Character	Unique, independent businesses give your town its distinct personality and charm, preventing a generic, chain-store look.	Your favorite independent bookstore hosts author signings and kids' story times, becoming a cultural hub for the neighborhood.
Environmental Footprint	Local businesses often source locally, reducing transportation costs and emissions.	Shopping at a farmers' market for produce that was grown just a few miles away instead of shipped from across the country.

This table is just a snapshot, but it really highlights how your everyday choices add up to something much bigger.

More Than Just Money

The benefits go way beyond the economic figures. Local businesses are the soul of a town; they give it a distinct personality. They're the spots that host community events, sponsor the local little league team, and actually remember your name when you walk through the door.

This personal connection fosters a deeper sense of community and civic pride. When you support these places, you’re not just buying a product—you're preserving the unique character of your neighborhood and ensuring it stays a vibrant, interesting place to live.

Ultimately, it’s a vote for a community built on genuine relationships, not just commerce.

Go Beyond the Purchase: Practical Ways to Champion Local Brands

Your support for local businesses doesn't have to stop when you pull out your wallet. In fact, some of the most powerful ways to help them thrive cost nothing but a few moments of your time. When you become an advocate for the brands you love, your own great experiences turn into their most valuable marketing asset.

Think of yourself as part of their unofficial street team. You’re not just a customer; you're a champion helping them reach people they otherwise couldn't. This is where your voice becomes a powerful tool for building a stronger community.

Master the Art of the Online Review

Leaving a positive online review is one of the most direct and effective ways to support a local business. It's so much more than a star rating—it’s a story that builds trust and helps other people feel confident about walking through their door.

A great review goes beyond "The coffee was good." You want to paint a picture. Get specific.

• Mention a specific product or service: "The lavender latte at The Daily Grind is a must-try!"

• Highlight the atmosphere: "I loved the cozy, quiet corner for getting work done."

• Give a shout-out to an employee: "Sarah, the barista, was so friendly and remembered my order from last time."

This kind of detail creates a credible and compelling testimonial that both search engines and future customers absolutely love. Think about hosting your team's offsite at Freeform House's Executive Room in Tulsa and having lunch arrive seamlessly from a local spot. That synergy is exactly why consumer trust is economic rocket fuel. With over 70% of people expected to check online reviews before choosing local services in 2025, and 90% saying reviews sway their decisions, your words have real power. Dive deeper into how online trust impacts small business success.

Your personal experience, shared publicly, can be the deciding factor that convinces someone to walk through their door for the first time. It's a small act with a massive impact.

Become a Social Media Ambassador

Social media is a fantastic platform to amplify your support. When you share something from a local business, you’re essentially introducing them to your entire network.

Go beyond a simple "like." Share their posts to your story or feed and add a quick personal comment about why you love what they do. Tag them in your own photos when you visit—whether it's a picture of your meal, a new item you bought, or just the cool interior of their shop. This kind of user-generated content acts as authentic, organic advertising that businesses simply can’t buy. For more ideas on effective community engagement, check out our guide on how to build local business partnerships.

The Unmatched Power of Word-of-Mouth

Never, ever underestimate the simple act of telling a friend. A personal recommendation is still the most trusted form of marketing there is. When you genuinely rave about a local bakery's pastries or a boutique's unique selection, you're giving a powerful, heartfelt endorsement.

Make it a habit to mention your favorite local spots in everyday conversations. Whether you're recommending a caterer for an event or suggesting a spot for a client lunch, your referral carries serious weight and helps build a loyal, community-driven customer base from the ground up.

Foster Collaboration Within a Community Hub

Individual actions are great, but the real power comes from creating a dedicated ecosystem where local businesses can connect and thrive. This is where community hubs and membership clubs like Freeform House in Jenks become so much more than just a place to work—they transform into engines for local economic growth. The whole idea is to build a collaborative environment where one member's success can directly fuel another's.

It’s all about creating a space where partnerships happen naturally. When you’re surrounded by other local entrepreneurs, creatives, and executives, opportunities for mutual support pop up everywhere. This shared environment breaks down the usual silos and fosters a collective spirit, turning a simple workspace into a dynamic community hub.

The real magic starts when members actively use the space to champion their neighbors. It's about thinking collectively and strategically.

Turning Shared Space into a Support System

The foundation of a strong local business ecosystem is intentional collaboration. Instead of just co-existing, members can launch small-scale initiatives that create predictable, recurring revenue for local partners. Think of it as a playbook for community-driven support.

For example, a group of members could coordinate a weekly "lunch club," placing one large, consolidated order from a different local restaurant each week. This simple act gives that restaurant a guaranteed revenue boost and, just as importantly, introduces their food to dozens of new potential customers.

Or maybe a member with a marketing background uses the in-house podcast studio to interview a local artisan, giving them a platform to share their story. These actions create a web of support where everyone gets a lift.

This visual breaks down a simple three-step process anyone can use to become a champion for local brands.

This process really highlights how simple, consistent actions—reviewing, sharing, and referring—create a powerful cycle of authentic, community-driven marketing.

A Mini-Playbook for Partnership Events

Organizing small, focused events within a community hub is a fantastic way to showcase local talent and services. And no, these don't need to be huge productions to make a real impact.

Here are a few actionable ideas to get you started:

• Host a "Meet the Maker" Showcase: Dedicate an evening to a local artisan, brewer, or designer. Let them share their story, display their products, and connect directly with an engaged audience. It’s a low-pressure way for them to build genuine brand awareness.

• Organize a "Skill Swap" Workshop: Invite a local business owner—like a graphic designer or a financial planner—to host a short workshop for members. In exchange, members promote their business across their own networks. It’s a valuable trade of expertise for exposure.

• Curate a Local Product Tasting: Partner with a local coffee roaster, bakery, or winery for a tasting event. This gives members a unique experience while giving the business direct access to a room full of new potential customers.

The core idea is to leverage the collective power of the community. A single introduction or a small event hosted within a hub like Freeform House can spark a long-term partnership that strengthens the entire local economy.

These collaborative efforts build a resilient, interconnected business community. When members actively look for ways to lift each other up, the entire local marketplace becomes stronger and more vibrant for it.

Put Your Professional Skills to Work for Local Businesses

Sometimes, the most valuable support you can give a local business has nothing to do with your wallet. It’s about offering your time and your hard-earned professional expertise.

Most small business owners are masters of their craft, but they can't be experts in everything. They might be brilliant bakers or amazing artists, but they often lack the resources for things like marketing, finance, or tech. That's where you come in. Your skills can fill a crucial gap, providing a kind of support that makes a real, lasting impact.

This isn't just charity work; it's smart community building. When you lend your professional talents, you're helping local entrepreneurs clear common hurdles and build more resilient businesses. A stronger local business means a stronger local economy for everyone.

Figure Out What You Can Offer

First things first, think about what you do all day at your job. Those skills might feel routine to you, but for a small business owner on a tight budget, they can be an absolute game-changer. The trick is to package your expertise into a manageable, high-impact offer they can’t refuse.

Think about it in real-world terms:

• Are you a marketing pro? Offer a free 30-minute coffee meeting to review a local shop’s social media and give them three simple, actionable tips to boost engagement.

• A talented photographer? You could use a creative space, like the studio at Freeform House, to take professional headshots or product photos for a new boutique in the Jenks 10 District.

• An accountant or financial planner? Volunteer to host a quick one-hour workshop on the basics of cash flow for a group of local entrepreneurs.

These aren't massive time commitments, but the value they deliver is huge. You could solve a problem in an hour that an entrepreneur might have spent weeks struggling with on their own.

A small, focused offer of your professional skills can provide more long-term value than a single purchase. You're not just giving them a fish; you're teaching them how to improve their fishing techniques.

How to Make the Offer Without Being Awkward

Offering help requires a bit of finesse. You want your gesture to feel like a supportive partnership, not like you're swooping in to point out their flaws. The goal is to empower, not patronize.

The best way to start is by being a genuine customer. Build a rapport. Show them you already love what they do.

Once you’ve established that connection, you could say something like, "I absolutely love the pastries you make, and I'm always telling my friends to come here. By the way, I'm a professional photographer, and I'd be happy to snap a few high-quality photos for your social media next time I'm in—no strings attached. Just a way to say thanks for being such a great part of the neighborhood."

This approach is collaborative and comes from a place of respect. It frames your skills as a gift and an act of community support, making the business owner much more likely to take you up on your generous offer. By sharing what you do best, you're directly contributing to a more vibrant and successful local scene for everyone.

Create and Sustain Long-Term Local Partnerships

One-off purchases are great, but the real magic happens when we build sustained, long-term partnerships. This is what truly builds a resilient local economy. For any business owner or community leader, the goal should be to shift from occasional support to creating systems that bake local businesses right into your daily operations.

This isn't just about transactions; it's about strategic alliances. You're building relationships that generate predictable revenue for smaller businesses while delivering real, tangible value back to your own organization.

Weave Local Businesses into Your Operations

The single most effective way to forge a lasting partnership is to make it routine. Stop thinking in one-off orders and start thinking in recurring contracts and integrated services. It's a win for everyone.

This simple shift creates a stable foundation for a smaller business to not just survive, but thrive. Picture an entrepreneur in Tulsa, grinding away in a space like the Freeform Room at Freeform House. Now imagine their day is fueled by coffee from a local roaster, delivered for free as part of a partnership. That’s a small choice with a huge impact.

This is happening against the backdrop of a massive entrepreneurial wave. In 2025, new business formations hit 478,800 a month nationwide—a staggering 435% surge from 2004. With nearly half of these new small businesses making it past the five-year mark, consistent B2B support is more critical than ever for their longevity. You can dig into more of the latest small business statistics and trends to see the full picture.

When you make local sourcing your default setting, you create a powerful, self-sustaining ecosystem. It sends a clear message: we’re all in this together, and we succeed together.

Design Mutually Beneficial Programs

Look for pain points in your own business that a local partnership could solve. Maybe it’s an offering you want to enhance for your team or a perk for your clients. Structured programs like these are the ultimate win-win, giving consistent business to your partner while you get something valuable in return.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Corporate Wellness: Instead of funneling money to a national gym chain, why not partner with a local fitness studio or yoga instructor? Offer memberships or on-site classes to your employees. You’ll be directly investing in a local wellness business while genuinely promoting your team's health.

• Recurring Catering Contracts: Got weekly or monthly office meetings? Set up a standing order with a nearby café. They get predictable income, and you get simplified event planning. No more last-minute scrambling.

• B2B Referral Networks: Get proactive. Build a network with other local businesses that serve a similar audience. A real estate agent, a mortgage broker, and a home inspector can form a powerful referral triangle, keeping business circulating right here in the community.

Formalize Your Partnerships

To make sure these relationships have staying power, it helps to make them official. This doesn't mean you need a mountain of complex legal paperwork. A simple agreement can go a long way toward setting clear expectations and showing you're serious.

This could be as straightforward as a contract for catering services or a co-marketing agreement where you commit to promoting each other on social media. Putting it in writing elevates the relationship from a casual arrangement to a core business strategy. It gives both parties the confidence to plan for the future, paving the way for even deeper, more impactful collaboration down the road.

Common Questions About Supporting Local Businesses

When it comes to supporting local, people usually have great intentions but aren't always sure where to start. Good questions come up all the time. Let's tackle a few of the most common ones so you can go from wanting to help to making a real impact in your community.

How Can I Find Local Businesses to Support?

If you're new in town or just looking to break out of your usual routine, discovering great local spots can feel like a bit of a treasure hunt. The good news is, there are people and places that have already done most of the digging for you.

A fantastic starting point is a community hub. Places like Freeform House in Jenks, for example, intentionally build partnerships with local restaurants, shops, and service providers. This gives their members a ready-made, trusted list of awesome businesses to check out.

Beyond that, try the old-school methods that still work wonders: your local Chamber of Commerce directory, a Saturday morning stroll through the farmers' market, or even a town-specific Facebook group. You can also uncover some real gems by following local food bloggers or city-focused Instagram accounts.

What Are the Best Free Ways to Help?

You don't need a big budget to be a big supporter. Honestly, some of the most powerful things you can do for a local business won't cost you a single dime. Your voice and your time are your most valuable currencies here.

The single most impactful thing you can do for free? Leave a glowing, detailed online review on Google, Yelp, or Facebook. Don't just say "it was good." Get specific. Talk about the dish you loved, the employee who went above and beyond, or the amazing atmosphere. Specifics build trust with potential new customers.

Think about it: Your genuine, public enthusiasm could be the very thing that convinces someone to walk through their door for the first time. It's a small effort with a massive ripple effect on a business's reputation.

Also, don't underestimate the power of a simple social media share. Liking and sharing a business's post, or even creating your own and tagging them, is a huge boost. And of course, good old-fashioned word-of-mouth recommendations to friends and family are priceless.

How Do I Offer My Professional Skills Without Being Rude?

Offering your professional skills can be a game-changer for a small business owner who's wearing a dozen different hats. But the delivery is everything. You want it to feel like a friendly, collaborative offer, not an unsolicited critique.

First, be a real customer. Build a genuine rapport. When you approach them, it should come from a place of authentic admiration for what they've already built.

Instead of blurting out, "Your website is a mess," try a much softer, more respectful angle. Something like, "I'm a web developer, and I absolutely love what you're doing here. I had a couple of quick ideas that might help even more people find you online. Would you be open to a 15-minute chat sometime?"

This approach frames it as one community member wanting to help another succeed. It shows you value their work and just want to add your unique skills to their success story.

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Ready to plug into a community that actively champions local entrepreneurs? Freeform House offers the space, the network, and the resources to help you and your business thrive. Learn more about becoming a member of Jenks' premier community hub by visiting https://freeform.house.