Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the launch of Shop Small 2017 by American Express in Waterloo. For background, Shop Small is an annual initiative by American Express to encourage more consumers to support small businesses in their local communities through incentives and offers for the month of November. Now in its fourth year in Australia, Shop Small has become a national movement driving support from consumers and businesses alike.
According the latest research by American Express, a quarter of every dollar spent in Australia goes to a small business. More importantly, on average, 42 cents of each dollar spent at a small business finds its way back to communities through salaries, payments to local suppliers, and support for local organisations. This trend, coined the ‘Boomerang Dollar’ by American Express, clearly demonstrates the significant role local businesses play in our daily lives.
I was lucky enough to be among the guests in attendance kicking off the initiative at Danks Street Produce Merchants where we had the opportunity to engage with all the small business owners who came together from across Sydney to produce the experience. From watching pasta maker Vinicio Rinaldi make the ravioli we would eat that afternoon to meeting with Sal Quattroville who runs Fourth Village Providores in the marketplace, everything from the food eaten to the flowers on display were sourced from small business owners participating in Shop Small. Each vendor, including Gina Di Brita from Numero Uno coffee and Marcus Papadopaulo from Whole Beast Butchery, played a role in reminding all of us of the passion behind every small business.
For lunch, the activity moved upstairs to a beautifully decorated space with flowers from the renowned Mr. Cook. Treated to a meal from Mezzanino sourced from ingredients found in the downstairs market with wine pairings from Vine Wine, we were joined by celebrity chef Luke Mangan, business owner Alyce Tran (director/co-founder, The Daily Edited), and American Express VP Katrina Konstas (Vice President, Small Merchant) and Peter Strong (CEO, the Council of Small Business of Australia) who spoke to their experience and how they engage and contribute to the local community.
The event rounded off with mixing and mingling and a passionate message from all to Shop Small and help grow the ‘Boomerang Dollar’ effect even more.
Shop Small launched on 1 November 2017 and runs for the entire month. American Express Card Members registered with the Shop Small promotion will receive $10 credit for every $20 they spend in participating businesses, up to a total of $50.
Visit
www.shopsmallaustralia.com
and follow #ShopSmallAU for more information.
(Photos by Brook Mitchell/Getty Images for American Express)
