Opinion by NikaKouassi
Small businesses are a vital part of the economy. They spark an entrepreneurial creativity fighting against a world of corporate redundancy.
Whether it’s juice bars or thrift stores, small businesses are a part of local culture and deserve more recognition and support in their communities.
Coming from a mother who co-founded a nonprofit organization that promotes Black and African small businesses, I’ve gotten to see first-hand why uplifting small businesses is important.
First of all, small businesses thrive on uniqueness. It’s typical to see the same run-of-the-mill products get rebranded on apps like Shein and TikTok Shop. I find that the most successful small businesses sell something that can’t be recreated.
We live in a generation that thrives off of finding your identity. Before you enter an American Eagle looking for another pair of jeans, think about a cool pair that you could obtain at a smaller thrift store or a small clothing line.
Though sometimes these may be a pricier choice, your funds go to support hard-working entrepreneurs rather than profit-fueled corporate greed.
If clothes aren’t your thing, there are small businesses that sell things other than clothes. For example family-owned and local restaurants. Or even niche products like skincare and organic makeup.
Many small businesses have a story behind them that inspired someone to take a chance and start their own business. By supporting small businesses, you are supporting their owners’ cause which could change someone’s life.
Anyone could be a business owner.
Senior Ana Paula Guillen owns a small business doing nails. “I do nails for my friends and mostly girls at Marian. I have an Instagram page and that’s how a lot of girls have found me,” Guillen said. Though in her earlier days, it wasn’t an easy task balancing school, extracurriculars and her social life with her business.
“It has taught me a lot about how to schedule my time and my seasons, like homecoming or prom season,” Guillen said. On top of that “It teaches you a lot of responsibility, you have to care about your work,” Guillen said. She started doing nails her freshman year, then sophomore year on her close friends and started doing clients in her junior year. “People should support small businesses because they are really personalized. Speaking for myself, I care about the products I use, their quality, and if my clients are satisfied. If you want someone who cares about the services they are offering, you should go to a small business,” Guillen said.
Some small businesses were created to honor a cause or people. Abby’s Corner was founded in 2019 in honor of Abby Whitford who at the age of 10 was killed in a car accident. Sophomore Amelia Spieker was a friend of Abby and says she believes that supporting small businesses like Abby’s Corner is important.
“I think the intention behind this business is a beautiful way to honor her life. They also make a profit by selling thrifted items rather than the fast fashion which we see so much of today,” Spieker said. The store has two locations: one in the LaVista area at 8056 South 84th Street, and a newer location opened May 19, 2024 at 1064 N 204th Avenue in Elkhorn.
Senior Diane Koumaka has worked under her mother at her hair shop Linda’s Hair Braiding since she was little. Seeing first hand the importance of running a business to support a family, Koumaka says she believes that supporting small businesses is important. “A lot of big corporations don’t take their customers seriously.” This is becoming more apparent to Koumaka due to the new federal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion cutbacks. “My mom has a business specifically for people of color. I’ve seen how it’s important to keep them running for people who need them.”
When it comes to working a small business, “There’s a lot of communication with the clients, workers and yourself. You have to run your business so that you make a decent profit but also give enough time to satisfy your clients so they return.” For context, the braiding duration for medium sized box braids can take up to 10 hours to finish depending on the clients’ hair types.
Koumaka praises her mother for her people skills and still having the heart to accommodate all clients, saying “sometimes she has to work with people who can’t afford their style or are struggling with money.” When it comes to spreading the word about small businesses, “word of mouth goes a long way,” Koumaka said. This can be good for small businesses to gain traction.
Leave a Reply