03/06/2025
I’ve always loved and supported small businesses. It’s in my blood.
I’ve been in Downtown Albany since I was 11, when my parents opened their first small business. From 11 to 19, I worked in our family business and for other small, local businesses before we opened Emma Downtown.
As we approach Emma Downtown’s 25th birthday, I want to share my heart on small business. Supporting them. Running them. What I believe it takes to make one successful. And, honestly, what it’s really like.
This past year, it’s been heavy on my heart to try and be a voice for small business—even if it’s just a small one. I’ve been more intentional about supporting my fellow small businesses, working to build a stronger community, and finding ways to share why supporting local matters.
I’ve had conversations with so many small business owners—both locally and while traveling—and one thing is clear: this last year has been one of the hardest.
The economic squeeze is real.
Foot traffic is down.
People aren’t shopping like they used to.
Costs are up across the board—whether it’s materials, payroll, taxes, tariffs, or just the daily costs of keeping the lights on.
And so, today, I just want to say: Your small businesses need you.
The shops, cafés, salons, local contractors/services, and restaurants that make up the heart of your town—the same ones that donate to your school auctions, sponsor local teams, and give back in ways you don’t always see—they need you to show up.
And showing up doesn’t always mean spending money (though that’s always appreciated).
Here are a few free ways to support your favorite small businesses:
💛 Like, share, or comment on their social media posts.
💛 Leave a review on Google or Facebook.
💛 Tell a friend about them.
💛 Engage with their emails or messages.
And when you can, shop small. Because every purchase, every visit, every bit of support keeps these businesses alive.
Small businesses are what knit a community together.
