Support local business, support yourselves!! A 7 day challenge.

Did you know...

"For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home." 

This information comes from the 3/50 project. 

Their motto... 

"saving the brick and mortars our nation is built on."

Aster & bee along with so many other independent brick and mortars have joined together to support this project and movement... which in turn supports us...which in turns supports our community. 

An exciting cycle of support and inevitable creation of a self sustaining economy!!

Inspired by this project we would like to challenge all of you as well as ourselves to shop at local and independent business' for 1 week, that is 7 days of community giving and receiving!!

THE CHALLENGE 

When: August 22-28, 2011

Where: You're home community, ideally within 20 miles of your place of residence. 

What: Make all the weekly purchases you would typically make in a week, but instead of going to national or regional chain stores, support your community by purchasing through locally owned and operated business. 

Why: Because "If half the employed population spent $50 a month in locally owned and independent business, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue." -3/50 project 

This is a great way to fill all your household needs and support your local community at the same time!! 

During the week of the challenge...

We will have daily topics for discussion throughout the week and use this blog and Facebook as a message board for everyone taking on the Aster & Bee Shop Local Challenge! 

Opportunities for all taking part int he challenge to hand out advice, ask questions and give shout outs to some great local business etc. 

At the end of the week, we will have a drawing pulled from a list of all our brave and supportive challenge takers! 

The winner of the drawing will win some great local gifts!! (TBA) 

To sign up for the challenge "Like" Aster & Bee on Facebook and post "I'm in" under the challenge announcement on our page!! 

Just look for the Aster & Bee Shop local challenge image!!