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Entity explains the reason you should support small businesses.

With titan companies like Walmart, Target, Best Buy and IKEA only a few miles from your home, it’s easy to forget about the local businesses in your neighborhood.

However, those who support small or local businesses help not just one person  but the entire community. According to The Small Business Administration, there are more than 28 million small businesses in the U.S. as of 2014. According to Forbes, in total those businesses have created 63 percent of new jobs between the years of 1993 and 2013.

Besides providing jobs for millions of Americans, here are five reasons you should support local companies. 

1 Small businesses provide product variety.

Yes, bigger businesses have their advantages. When you go to any major chain store you know exactly what you want, where it is and how much it costs. The downside? Major stores churn out products that all look the same. If you’re a woman searching for unique products, you might want to frequent small business establishments more often.

Contrary to large corporations, self-employed locals likely sell products from a variety of sources, which means their products are usually one-of-a-kind. According to Forbes, “when you walk into a local business, you are often surprised by the inventory options. This is to a customer’s advantage and is among the many reasons to frequent your local stores more often.”

READ MORE: What’s Up With Start-ups?

2 You get to know the shop owners.

It can do you a lot of good to build relationships with diverse people. Entrepreneur points out that “When you personally know the people behind the business where you’re buying local products and services, you enjoy a connection you would not otherwise have.”

Sometimes knowing the shop owner can give you unexpected perks like discounts. However, this relationship is a give and take. If you genuinely enjoy the products and services of a small business, you are more than likely tell your friends about it, which further drums up business. 

3 They tend to have a smaller environmental footprint.

Do you frequent one specific shop which sells the most gorgeous shoes? After making a purchase one day, you decide to visit a new store across the street selling exotic teas. This is another benefit of having small businesses together in one location.

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance says that local stores “help to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable town centers – which in turn are essential to reducing sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution.” Instead of trekking all over town to check your shopping list, you can find everything you need in a central location, thus helping to reduce your carbon footprint.

READ MORE: 7 Things to Do Before Starting a Business

4 You can count on great customer service.

Customer service in most chain stores generally means staying on the phone with a disgruntled employee who is counting down the hours to get home. On the other hand, local business owners get to know their customers and what they tend to buy. Because of this, your local shop owners are able to recommend the perfect products since they are already aware of your needs and personality, says Entrepreneur. 

5 Small businesses help the local economy.

Big businesses may contribute to charities but that doesn’t mean they are necessarily giving back to your community. An American Independent Business Alliance study found that “on average, 48 percent of each purchase at local independent businesses was recirculated locally, compared to less than 14 percent of purchases at chain stores.” This is known as the multiplier effect.

Entrepreneur says that “Local business owners often have incentive to support other local businesses, patronizing local establishments for both business and personal reasons.” When this happens, it promotes a better city because more jobs are created, the community grows tighter and fewer stores will shut down due to bad business.

READ MORE: 5 Promising Startup Businesses Founded by Women

Supporting local economies is very important. Though it may be a little inconvenient and unpredictable, the benefits greatly outweigh the setbacks. This doesn’t mean you can’t shop at chain stores during a shopping trip, but don’t forget to check out some local stores along the way.

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