I’ve been a small business owner since 1995—running brick-and-mortar shops, consulting, and selling handmade goods. Over the years, I’ve weathered many economic ups and downs.
This past weekend, I spoke with fellow small business owners, and we all noticed the same trend: consumers are being more selective with their purchases. Meanwhile, big retailers like Walmart (7% sales increase last year) and Amazon continue to grow, taking an ever-larger slice of the consumer spending pie. That money flows out of our communities and into national and international supply chains—it’s not staying local.
Small businesses matter. Employers with fewer than 20 employees make up approximately 97-98% of all small businesses. In Maryland alone, there are approximately 696,710 small businesses, which represent 99.6% of all Maryland businesses as of 2025, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
When you support a truly small business, you’re supporting a neighbor, a community member, someone who will likely spend money locally, helping other small businesses thrive. Keeping money in our community helps our economy grow. Sure, big-box stores might be cheaper, but in the long run, the cost to our local economy is far greater.
How you can support small businesses in our area? Purchase from them or tag them in posts, share positive experiences, like a post, these are all FREE.
