Guest Article Written by Dean Burgess

Despite their humble origins, small businesses really can move mountains. Women-led companies, especially, can help their communities excel. Here’s how to use your small business for your community’s benefit, courtesy of Julie Taeko.

Local Companies Create Local Jobs

Both small and large businesses create jobs, but local entrepreneurs reinvest more in their communities. For example, research shows that female founders hire more women, a beneficial step toward balancing workforce statistics.

Women-owned small businesses also contribute to higher wages for women, says the World Economic Forum. Higher wages mean more money stays local, and the quality of life improves for women workers and their families.

There’s a long way to go in creating workplace (and wage) equality, but female entrepreneurs can pave the way.

Women-Led Businesses Lead Charitable Giving

While big box stores may cut checks to charitable organizations, smaller companies tend to have closer ties to local agencies. Partnering with charities helps improve not only workers’ lives but those of community members and at-risk groups.

64 percent of charitable donations are already given by women, so more small businesses led by women are good news for local charities. Leading by example could influence other companies to donate time, resources, and goods, too.

Supporting the community creates goodwill with businesses and encourages more enterprises to spring up in the area.

Entrepreneurs Build Culture

One small business may not be able to shift the local culture of an area, but multiple entrepreneurs working together can impact change. Joining (or establishing) a local business network, such as a chamber of commerce, helps startups connect and build a web of local support.

As business owners, women can cultivate a local culture that promotes connectedness, prioritizes family, supports better mental health, and encourages diversity. From endorsing work-from-home to allowing babies in the workplace, mom-friendly practices benefit everyone.

Bringing those values to other local organizations creates a stronger community and happier residents. Not to mention happier families.

Small Business Keeps Things Green

Though there’s nothing wrong with shopping in corporate stores, consumers like having choices. The good news is that many surveys and studies confirm that shoppers prefer to keep their money local when possible.

A survey by Intuit found that 70 percent of consumers chose to support local businesses in 2021. Thanks to that support, small companies can grow—and give back to their customers.

Buying locally is “greener” on its own, but smaller companies tend to take more environmental precautions because they work where they live. Not to mention, non-corporate stores don’t require the magnitude of supplies and energy that larger operations do.

Plus, small-scale operations support local supply chains and reduce transportation costs and pollution. In many cases, customers can even walk to nearby businesses—the ultimate in going green. Making conscious decisions to reduce carbon emissions can do even more for the environment (and your marketing efforts).

Get Started with Your Startup

As amazing as launching a business sounds, getting started can be challenging. One way to prepare is by returning to school for a degree. Women are leading the way in this trend, too; since 2014, women have ranked ahead of men in possession of bachelor’s degrees, per Statista.

You can earn a business bachelor's degree in management, communication, or accounting and transfer those skills to your entrepreneurial venture. Plus, pursuing an online degree makes it easy to start your company while attending school.

Running a business is no small feat, but the payoff is worth the effort. Female entrepreneurs have a unique opportunity to impact their communities, lift up their fellow women professionals, and create a better world for the next generation.