Make a Positive Impact with Your Wardrobe

We all see the usual options when shopping at your classic department store or menswear chains: an ocean of stuff that lacks originality, feels of lower quality, and comes from mills overseas that most likely do not have the safest manufacturing practices. There is a better way to shop, and that is LOCAL. Let me take this moment to drop some knowledge bombs on why small businesses are important not only to the local economies they serve, but also to the national economy as a whole.(All of the following statistics come from the 2022 SBA Small Business Profile)

Big Numbers

While our view might seem dominated by big box stores and countless chains, the small business landscape is prolific. 99.9% of all US businesses are small businesses! In total, there are 33.2 million of us. That's a 180,528 net increase in  establishments! These tremendous numbers also lend to the fact that 61.7 million people are employed by small businesses, making up 46.4% of total US employees.

Love Your Neighbor

This is the sentimental part of small business support. Chances are a neighbor in the apartment complex, that nice fellow in your hiking club, or a random person you sit next to at church could all very well be a small business owner. They have a face and a name - someone you can recognize and build a relationship with. If you think your chances of meeting an owner are slim, check this out: 43.2% of business are owned by women, and 20% are owned by racial minorities (not including Hispanics who own 14%). 

Remember this: Love your neighbor, and buy from them too.

We Still Make Things

The manufacturing industry in the United States is not what it used to be, but that doesn't mean it's disappeared altogether. There are more than 200,000 small business manufacturers dotted throughout the country producing millions of products we use every day. A little more than five million people who call this country home support this industry, and do a damn good job of it too. 

Adding a Local Touch to Your Style

For those of us blessed with living in or near larger cities, chances are you're going to have more local options available to you when shopping for your wardrobe. For others who live in smaller towns, things will definitely be more limited to you in person. But never fear, the internet is here! More small businesses than ever have the ability to share their glorious goods with us. Gitman Bros. is a fine example of American made menswear that's out there for the taking. And if you didn't know, Park & Argyle curates only American made accessories! 

Final Thoughts

I hope this shed a little more light on how incredible our small businesses are, and how important it is for all of us to seek them out as a first resort for our material needs. I especially hope this article enlightens fashion-conscious gentleman that there are wonderful options available to us are just a click away.

To see more data on small businesses, visit the SBA website here. 

You can also view my opinion on justifying the higher cost for American made menswear here.