This morning I was sifting through the business card stash that had taken residence in my wallet and pitching the cards of the people I know I’ll never call. One of those cards was from a friend’s business. I felt kind of bad tossing the business info of a local guy but having seen his work and having a few conversations I knew his work wouldn’t hold up against other national companies I have a history with.
Immediately I had this vision of Downtown Anywhere in the first half of the 20th Century. Local businesses, family businesses, dealing with the people that your father and grandfather dealt with just because of history and familiarity.
Could someone else do it faster, better, cheaper?
Probably.
But it didn’t always come down to that. And rightly so.
While a community like that is quite romantic, is it just the stuff of the Andy Griffith Show? I struggle with the idea that an aquaintence or family member should get your business simply because of friendship and taking care of your neighbor. I also can see the flaws in avoiding local business only because someone else can do the job faster or cheaper. The answer isn’t clear cut but there’s a balance to be had.
How far do you go or would you go to support the businesses of friends or family…even if you can get a better deal or superior quality elsewhere?
