The pandemic has put our reliance on one another into sharp relief. The value of a strong, caring community has never been clearer than over the last several months. Budding entrepreneurs may, as a result, be more inclined to create community-focused businesses. These are companies that strive to interweave themselves into the fabric of the local community. If you’re inspired to do the same, then here is your guide to getting started:
Build a Strong Foundation
When you strive to be a business involved in the community, you’re taking on a lot of responsibility. When taking on this role, it’s your duty to offer as much stability and consistency as possible. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you give your business the absolute best start that you can.
You may already be in a position to do this, but if you’re not (or you’re not sure), take a step back and evaluate your situation. Do you have solid financing, or do you need to look into fundraising or finding investors? Are you well-versed in the steps required to run a business properly, or would it make sense to pursue an MBA? Are you familiar with the neighborhood’s culture, personality, and needs, or do you need to spend more time interacting with your neighbors in order to get a sense of how your company can best contribute? Asking yourself these questions can put in you the best position to create a strong future for your business and your community.
Join Local Organizations
Once you have a sense of how to move forward with your business idea, you should look to join local groups and organizations that can help push your dream forward. For example, your city may have a chamber of commerce or small business networking group that you can join. Not only will this put you in touch with other local business leaders, but it will allow you to get a deeper sense of the community’s needs and how to reach them.
You can also join community action groups, such as political advocacy groups or volunteer organizations. This will give you the ability to take a hands-on approach to local change and improvement. In addition to giving you an outlet for making an impact, it will help you connect with local change-makers. You can then use your leverage in the business community to create the change your neighborhood needs to thrive.
Focus on the People
At the end of the day, the best way to make sure your business is a vital part of the community is to ensure the community is a vital part of your business. Start by prioritizing local residents when it comes to hiring. Not only will you improve employment rates in your area, but you’ll also build community relationships from the very beginning through the relationships your employees already have.
You can also use your shop to enhance community relationships as a whole. For example, if you’re running a coffee shop or cafe, you could host open mic nights to give local performers a chance to show their stuff. Or, you could use your space to display and facilitate sales for local artists. Depending on what kind of company you plan to start, you may need to get creative when it comes to incorporating the wider community. Figuring out how to do so, however, will empower you to help your neighborhood to thrive.
Creating a community-based business is a great move, for everyone involved. After all, being a pillar of the community is a mutually beneficial situation. Embrace and support your neighbors, and they will support you in return.
