Make Small, Local Business Your Valentine

WITH VALENTINES DAY RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, and with Valentine's Day raking in roughly $20 billion a year, spreading the love is not just telling that special someone in your life how much they mean to you—but can and should, in my opinion, also be a time for some of that love to be showered onto small and local businesses.

Traditionally people will buy cards, flower arrangements, chocolates, and any number of other things. And many will even head out for a special Valentine dinner as well to top it all off.

It's not the top grossing holiday for retailers and restauranteurs, but with $20 billion to go around, there's still quite a lot they can gain from lovers around the country trying to give their special someone something, well...

SPECIAL.

This Valentine's Day perhaps consider using your local florist instead of opting for one of the big-boys like 1-800-Flowers or Bouqs. If your opting for something sweet, there are probably many small, local candy makers and bakeries who can whip up something special for your significant other.When I lived in Milwaukee, for example, I frequently went to Burke Candy for some delectable chocolate goodness. I'd also buy very nice and affordable gift baskets from the local West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shop instead of opting for other, bigger company options. And depending on where you live, there are always some great choices for stand-alone restaurants to avoid the bigger chains like Ruby Tuesday, Outback, Olive Garden, and the usual common fare there.

The main point here is that whenever possible I try to spread some of the love, and of course some of the money, to small and local business. In so many ways we benefit much more in our communities when we do this—and even beyond the holidays. More of the money we spend stays local and directly benefits the very communities in which we live. And sometimes nothing says love more than taking just a little bit of money from the pockets of the big-boxes. Not that I have anything against big business mind you. But since small business is the real giant when it comes to producing jobs in this country, it's a place you should want to spend your money to help to keep them alive, growing, and prospering.