Posted @withregram • @thereadystate Repost from #thereadystate CEO @julietstarrett: I know everyone rightly is keeping it real close to home but please please continue to support your local small businesses. I fear many of them will not survive - many operate on the margins and can’t afford to support extended staff leave, no revenue for weeks or months, or outright closures. Likewise, hourly workers only have limited benefits like unemployment and that is not a real replacement for income (especially here in the Bay Area). Also, please don’t assume that if a business is open and appears to be thriving that they are. All the small business owners I know (and I know a lot in diverse industries) are terrified about their long-term business health during this unprecedented situation. If you want your favorite businesses to still be open after Coronavirus is a thing of the past, here are some things you can do to support local businesses and their staff: 1. Order take out at restaurants. Wear some gloves when you pick it up if you are worried. 2. Buy restaurant or coffee shop gift cards that you can use later. 3. Buy tickets to concerts and events in the fall - it’s worth the gamble to support artists, athletes and the massive number of people who support that industry. 4. Order wine online from small family-owned wineries. 5. Near and dear to my heart - don’t ask for a pause in your gym/yoga membership if you can afford it, even if you can’t go for the next few weeks. 6. Show up at the farmer’s market to support local farmers. It’s outside and you can keep your distance from people. I’m sure there is more that can be added to this list but, mostly, PLEASE go out of your way support local small businesses and hourly workers in the coming weeks. I’m confident you can do this while still staying safe. 🙏 Also, please share. (at Manasquan Underground Strength Gym) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9uj97jnBYl/?igshid=166s541gknetn