Encouraging residents to shop at locally

BARRHEAD-A Barrhead resident has teamed up with a small group of people to help boost small businesses across the country as part of the inaugural "Big Spend" event.

On July 25, residents from across the country are being asked to support local businesses by making a purchase and then sharing the story via social media.
Bob Jones, from Barrhead and former interim minister of Barrhead's Bethel Pentecostal Church, learned about the initiative when he saw a social media post from Tim Schindel and Leading Influence.

Schindel is one of the founders of the not-for-profit Christian organization, whose main purpose is to pray for Canadian elected officials, leading the event.
"The whole idea of the event is to get people out into their community and support small business by encouraging them to consciously make a purchase," Jones said, adding small business has been especially hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.

It is estimated, that small and independent businesses provide nearly 70 per cent of all private-sector jobs.

"Every dollar you spend locally helps that business and keep local people employed."

According to a study conducted by Civic Economics and sponsored in part by the B.C. Buy Local Campaign recirculates almost five times as much revenue in the local economy as multinationals, ie, big box stores and that independent business spends up to 31.4 per cent of their revenue on provincial products and services. Independent businesses They also donate up to 24 times more to local charities than do large multinationals.

"We hope that this will become more than a one-off and we will hold more throughout the year," Jones said.

He added Leading Influence hopes to get the word out through churches, local chamber of commerce as well as social media.

Jones noted Schindel has an extensive background in business and has served on the executive of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce and his experience with both will help the Big Spend event.

Moreover, Jones sees the event as an educational event.

"It is something a family can do. Parents can take their children to a store to illustrate to them how you can do something kind and supportive to help someone in your community," he said.

However, while it might serve as an educational opportunity they hope the Big Spend events will serve as concrete help to small business and as of such has set $100 million as a target on July 25.

This is why they ask that people share their "Big Spend" story on Facebook and Instagram by using the hashtag #TheBigSpend or @TheBigSpend so organizers can map spending across Canada and track the economic impact.

"In my work with Leading Influence, I get to meet with and support leaders from across Canada. Kick-starting our economy is on all of their minds," Schindel stated in a media release. "The Big Spend became an intensely practical, and I might add, easy way to help Canada start down the road to recovery in every city across our nation.”

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
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