Local is Lovely - Supporting Small Businesses in Mackay
Every Saturday morning we set out with good intentions to get to the Showground Markets by 6a.m, followed by Park run at 7 then a sweaty smashed avo and coffee, ending the morning with a trip to the butchers. Full disclaimer, if we are running short on time, smashed avo takes preference over park run.
We try to buy locally because the food tastes so much better, often it is cheaper and, being business owners ourselves, we know just how special it is when people choose to support your business.
We try to choose locally owned fruit and veg stores, butchers, bakeries, cafe’s and restaurants when able. The more we support them the more they can offer and hopefully there becomes a market for more and more locally owned businesses in town.
You don’t even have to buy much or anything to support local. Here are some tips on how you can support local businesses without spending a dime:
Like or Follow their pages on Facebook.
Like their photos. The more likes, comments and shares a photo gets, the more Facebook and Instagram show it to other people. A lot of time goes in to creating content for social media, “liking” a post is a very quick and easy way to support a business you like.
Give them a 5 star review on Facebook or Google. This also helps other locals know where the best places are to shop, wine, dine or have Physiotherapy treatment ;). Whenever I have good service, I leave a 5 star rating on Facebook. Takes me 1 minute and I know how much it is appreciated by the business.
If you are unhappy with service, talk to the business owner privately before complaining on a public platform such as Facebook. You may indeed have had rude staff or a cold meal, but business owners can’t fix that problem if you don’t tell them.
Tell your friends about good experiences. Word of mouth is so valuable in small towns such as Mackay. It can make or break a business.
Let business know when you are happy with their products or service. We work hard and we genuinely care that you leave happy with the service we have provided. We sometimes discuss difficult patients over dinner or lie awake at night stressing about that patient that just isn’t improving. It gets us down when you’re down. So it is really special when a patient takes the time to let us know that they appreciate our input in their health care.
For more health and wellness info plus tips on where to shop, dine and explore in Mackay, be sure to join our Facebook group “Get Lively Mackay”.
Hope your year is off to a good start!
Stephanie Vanden-Bergh
Principal Physiotherapist, APAM, BPhysio