A few weeks back, I was doing a consulting session with one of my licensees when she reframed my thinking about the impact Concierge (aka Lifestyle Management) companies have in our communities.
She told me that our businesses make a huge impact in our local economy through the use of local services. I never thought about that before, but she is correct.
I am always focused on how we make a difference for our clients, but what about our vendors? What about the local economy?
Are you aware of the impact small businesses make in the US? According to the US Small Business Administration (SBA) there are 58.9 million small businesses in the United States in 2019.
Firms with fewer than 500 workers account for 99.7 percent of those businesses. Even more impressive, firms with fewer than 100 workers have the largest share of small business employment.
That means the little guy is feeding our economy more than just about anyone else. We don't get the recognition of a Bezos or a Gates, but we're important just the same.
I have always been a huge advocate for small businesses. Heck I am one! (Actually 2!) It is important to me that our subcontractors are not only small but local. I will only go outside the Coachella Valley for support if there are no other options.
Here, in the Coachella Valley I would venture to estimate that more than 80% of all businesses are classified as small businesses. These small businesses are the backbone of our Desert community.
As a Lifestyle Management company and as a General Contractor, Executive Errands
®
has a large suite of local, licensed and insured small business subcontractors we can call upon to support the needs of our clients and, in turn, our local economy.
In fact, in the last seven (7) years, Executive Errands
®
has contributed $3.5 MILLION to our local economy via work contracted with small businesses. This is no small feat given our size and the fact at any given time we operate with only three (3) part-time employees.
When looking for new services to join our team, I consciously search for the best quality small businesses I can find. Most of who are mom-and-pop sized organizations while offering large scale customer service.
Others are more prominent in the community but my favorites are the small guys -- those people, just like me, who work hard to provide a solid and quality experience to our clients.
These companies quickly and willingly understand our mission, vision and values -- and always present a good face for Executive Errands
®
whether they are dealing with the people at guard houses or directly with our clients.
And while so many companies hold back payments for 30, 60 or 90 days; I pay my subcontract services NET14, meaning they get paid for their work within two (2) weeks. This is my way of saying "thank you" for everything they do.
3.5 Million dollars! Can you believe it? It thrills me beyond words that Executive Errands® is such a positive force for our local economy.
And don't forget that Small Business Saturday is always the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. That means this year it is November 30th. Mark your calendars now and be sure to patronize our small business community!
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