Shop Small: PGH
Christine Hughes, Business Consultant and Training Manager for the Duquesne University Small Business Development Center, said that small business culture in Pittsburgh is, “thriving and it’s thriving in certain industries. We’re a hub for technology so there’s a lot of technology start-ups that are coming out of our local [universities].” Hughes went on to say, “That scene is very vibrant and there’s a lot of resources for people who are looking to start up in the technology field.” Hughes credits social media as one of the most valuable resources today.
Pittsburgh is also experiencing a trend which supports small business restaurants and cafes. “I knew there was an up-and-coming food scene here and I love to eat, so I wanted to be a part of it,” said a favorite Pittsburgh food blogger on Instagram who goes by @Bottomless_Pitt. She visits local Pittsburgh restaurants, takes photos of the food she likes, and blogs about it on Instagram. @Bottomless_Pitt noted that many of the small businesses in Pittsburgh are restaurants and cafes, but said, “there aren’t that many boutiques yet, but hopefully more will come.”
Americans that regularly buy coffee throughout the week spend an average of $1,092 on coffee annually (2012 Workonomics Survey published by Accounting Principles). Clearly, the everyday purchases that we make add up. More importantly, these small, everyday purchases have an impact on the local and national economy. So, with this power in mind, have you considered who your money is going to?
Business is booming in the city of Pittsburgh, more specifically, small business. This city is experiencing a rise in start-up companies and small businesses, especially in areas of technology and cuisine. These businesses are supported by local resources in addition to eager customers who are shopping small.
"Pittsburghers are born and bred to love small businesses. It's a blue-collar town, so they want to support blue-collar workers," said Bill Deller, who may be better known as @PGHFoodDude, his popular Pittsburgh food blog on Instagram. "Pittsburgh is a growing city, so it's a cool place to be right now. We're definitely trying to keep up with the way the rest of the world is and it's cool to watch," said Deller.
"Small Businesses of Pittsburgh" by Molly Mitchell
In Pittsburgh, small businesses can compete based on what they have to offer over larger corporations. “People want an experience. A small business owner can create an experience that a big-box store can’t. People are wanting to go paint a painting with their friends and drink wine while they’re doing that, or they want to go to the Glass Center and create something made of glass. People want and experience. They don’t just want to shop,” said Hughes.
“They are generally more creative and specialized in what they’re offering. Like, Pizza Taglio, for example, is like authentic, wood-fired pizza. Millie’s is hand-crafted ice cream with all natural ingredients and they post information about where they get their dairy products from. You’re not going to find that kind of stuff at a bigger chain” said @Bottomless_Pitt. @Bottomless_Pitt’s preference to shop small is evident. She said, “I would much rather support a small business and help them promote their products on Instagram than a big company that doesn’t need Instagrammers to post about them.”
Basically, consumers have two options when spending their money: shop big or shop small. Consumers can choose to support major companies or choose to support small, local businesses. This choice is often affected by who the consumers trust and favor.
Ultimately, one of the most vital resources that small businesses can have is business itself. The support of the community is very important. “We really benefit, we’re in a fantastic location. Shadyside has given us a lot of support and the support from the community and neighborhood extending out from that is really amazing,” said Melissa Horst, Retail Operations Manager at Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream.
According to the 2012 Public Affairs Pulse Survey commissioned by the Public Affairs Council, most Americans prefer to shop small. Additionally, this survey found that 52 percent of Americans think that small business owners are highly ethical while a mere 4 percent think CEOs of major companies are highly ethical. Furthermore, Americans have been found view small businesses more favorably than other institutions based on a 2010 Pew Research Center survey on the people’s view of their government.
Milan Johnson, University of Pittsburgh senior, said, "Yeah, I tend to trust small businesses owners over CEOs of large companies. I have a few friends who run their own clothing lines and I'm open to supporting them and trying their clothes."
One student, a University of Pittsburgh senior, said, "Shopping small is dependent on accessibility and the good or service." He said, "If it's easy and available to shop small, I do, but we're both here at Starbucks [a large corporation] today because it's accessible and its brand is well known." Another student, a University of Pittsburgh senior, said, "For me, it's not a moral decision between shopping big or shopping small. Big corporations do good things, and they do bad things, but they know how to please their customers and they are consistent. You know what to expect from them."
Trevor Wormack, University of Pittsburgh junior, said, "Shopping small isn't as convenient as buying from large corporations. But, I'd like to do it." Wormack went on to say, "I'd much rather help a business that is struggling or just starting out than give my money to a rich CEO who doesn't care about me."
Timia Rickert, University of Pittsburgh junior, said, "Everyone starts somewhere." Rickert said that she would shop small. She said, "If small businesses offer the same product with the same quality, why not support them?"
The general opinion held by students in the Oakland area seems to be open to supporting small businesses and shopping small, when possible. The majority of students agreed with trusting small business owners and said they favored shopping small when they could. However, some students indicated that they don't favor one or the other, supporting big corporations or small businesses. The majority of my findings align with the national polls conducted on shopping small.
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Pittsburgh
SMALL BUSINESSES
Instagram Feed by @PghFoodDude
Instagram Feed by @BottomlessPitt
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"Pittsburghers are born and bred to love small businesses. It's a blue-collar town, so they want to support blue-collar workers."
Bill Deller
Some students in the Oakland area expressed concern with finding small businesses in the first place in order to support them. Hughes was not discouraged by this. She said that today, small businesses are even more equipped to compete with large corporations and easier to be found by customers thanks to free advertising on social media. “Small businesses are able to compete because we have these great resources in terms of social media and people are spreading the word that way. Years ago, small businesses had to have a brick and mortar [storefront]. Now they don’t. They can now sell in many different ways, one of those ways being online.”
"It's unbelievable," said Deller. With so many small businesses to support in Pittsburgh, Deller said that people almost need help deciding where to start and help with navigating through all of their options. He said, "The best place to start is in your backyard, at the closest places."
Posted April 27, 2017
