Alejandra Ottley, author of our Is This Thing On? column
Choosing what business to support never seems like a complex decision. In the many times we patronize huge corporations, we never truly wonder what that purchase means. It turns out there is a lot of power in that decision.
Fifty years ago, entrepreneurship was all about a good business idea and a smart individual who could execute it. Nowadays, it’s that, but with an added competitive and monopolized market. Here’s why you might consider to “Buy Bermuda”, and why you, as a consumer, can make a choice that matters.
It Creates More Options
In a place as small as Bermuda, it is easy to feel like options are limited, but skipping buying online means more people shopping local, which means more business can stay open creating more competitive and diverse markets for consumers.
A Stronger Economy
When you shop local you’re investing in your community and supporting the local economy, thus creating more jobs and opportunities for people in Bermuda. For instance, the local barista that made your coffee this morning will likely spend her tips patronizing another local business, the owner of a business who is thriving might then employ a local graphic designer for their advertisement, and so on and so forth.
A Smaller Ecological Footprint
Packaging and shipping supplies are often incredibly wasteful. Not to mention carbon emissions that shipping entails. A visit to the farmers market is the easiest way to not only support local farmers, but cuts down the footprint those same goods would’ve had if they had come from a grocery shop that outsources their produce.
A Purchase You Can Feel Good About
Shopping perhaps at a local boutique that sources ethically produced products rather than a chain retailer, means your clothing probably is of significantly better quality and wasn’t made in unsafe and unethical conditions.
Puts Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
Every purchase is a choice and every choice matters. Supporting entrepreneurs who probably are involved hands on in their business, means your purchase is more personal and therefore it is easier to align every purchase to your values and the ideals you believe in.
