If You Give a Photographer A Job | The Economy of Local Business

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Mar 10

Written By Abbie

We’ve heard it over and over.

Shop local.

Buy local.

Eat local.

Support small.

There’s even an ENTIRE DAY dedicated to our cause (thanks American Express and Small Business Saturday).

(Oh, but PLEASE shop locally more than just one day a year!)

As someone who supports a small business, you may have wondered WHY it matters so much that you shop locally. Of course there’s the obvious - without customers, a small shop cannot stay open. Period. But there’s more to it than that. Have you ever wondered what ACTUALLY HAPPENS to your dollar when you spend it with a local business?

Well, here’s your answer! And really, this list can go on and on. It can change with industry and will depend on seasonality and location. Since I’m a photographer, this is (roughly) my list.

THE REAL ECONOMY OF A SMALL BUSINESS*

If you give a photographer a job…

…she’ll hire a hair and makeup artist

…she’ll hire a session assistant

…she’ll hire a photo editor

…she’ll hire a virtual assistant

…she will visit a local park and pay a permit fee to use that park

…she will buy client gifts from local shops and bakeries

…she’ll buy gear and materials from local camera shops

…she will hire an accountant and a bookkeeper

…she’ll hire a lawyer to help with contracts

…she will pay rent and utilities for her studio

…she’ll hire a handyman to install and build things

…she’ll hire a window washer for the studio

…she will pay for her home’s mortgage and utilites

…she will buy groceries for her family

…she’ll buy gas at the corner gas station

…she will hire a babysitter

…she will sign her kids up for sports, lessons and activities

…she’ll go to eat and drink at local restaurants

…she will buy flowers from a local flower shop

…she may get her hair and nails done at a local salon

…she will take her dog to the local vet

…she will hire someone to clean her house

…she’ll hire a plumber instead of “trying” to do it herself

…she’ll hire an electrician for the same reason

…she will hire a contractor to help with home renovations (because the last people who lived here “tried to do it themselves”)

And all of those locally owned business will go down the same kind of list.

Local business economy is a beautiful thing, and it’s completely worth working so hard to support. Now YOU understand why small business owners stick together the way we do.

*The reality of this beautiful look of local business economy, is that it all happens AFTER local, state, federal and any other government taxes and fees are paid, as well as “COGS” (Cost of Goods Sold). So that entire list of expenses you read , if it’s a financially successful business (which varies by industry), it’s only working on 20-50% of the revenue.

Think about that - for every $100 you spend with a Mom and Pop Shop, they really only have $20-50 to work with.