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Businesses Team Up

I was in Radio Shack recently, perusing the battery rack, when I overheard an interesting conversation between the store’s manager and two women who owned businesses nearby.

“Would you mind if we put this in your window?” one woman asked, holding up a colorful poster promoting a special event sponsored by shops in the area. “You can join us if you’d like, but don’t feel obligated. It would just help us get the word out. We feel we’re a little off the beaten track and would like to draw more attention to the businesses in the area.”

“We’re starting a merchants association for the area to come up with some other ideas and, well, just to support each other,” the other woman added, handing the manager a card with information on the first meeting. The manager agreed to put up the poster and promised to be at the meeting.

Cooperation over competition: It’s one of the ways small businesses are working to stay afloat in this down economy. In Ballard, merchants are banding together to organize a “Tuesdays in Ballard” campaign to increase store traffic this summer. Inez Gray, of Habitude, is helping organize it because she recognizes that a vibrant shopping atmosphere will not only bring in customers, but will help maintain the resale value of her business.

Businesses like Kay Hirai’s Studio 904, which is featured in “Lessons from the Trenches,” are learning to reach beyond traditional business practices. Earlier this year Kay offered no-charge haircuts through local churches to people who had lost their jobs. Like Kay, women business owners throughout our area are building community, giving back and working with others in creative new ways. It’s part of the recipe women business owners are using to be get through these challenging times. I think we’ll all be better off because of it.

Karen Reed-Matthee
Editor and Co-founder

©July-August 2009 Caliope Publishing Company