New online community cuts through the eco-babble to make sustainable attainable for small business
- Sustainablemainstreet.com will provide content, connections, and campaigns to foster awareness, commitment, and storytelling.
- New online community connects conscious consumers with like-minded small businesses.
- Facilitated by Synaptic, an award-winning marketing and PR firm.
- To be announced at this weekend's convention of NARTS: The Association of Resale Professionals, in Houston, Texas, June 23-26.
Read full story below or contact:
Cyndee Harrison: 313-410-2343 or Cyndee@synapticapproach.com
Erika Brooks: 817-522-2556 or Erika@synapticapproach.com
Sustainable Main Street Bridges the Gap Between Conscious Consumers and Environmentally Minded Small Businesses
Cyndee Harrison and Erika Brooks first met while working in the pawnbroking industry. Synaptic, their award-winning marketing and PR agency, now works with clients nationwide. "We've been able to grow in a relatively short time," Brooks explains, "because our focus is on empowering the business owners we work with instead of having them chase shiny objects." They also found success by connecting their clients with one another, hosting online and in-person meet-ups, and facilitating conversations aimed at networking and relationship building.
Now, they are launching an innovative online resource, Sustainable Main Street. "We became interested in sustainability while working with pawnshops and pre-owned luxury wholesalers, whose business models inherently make them a natural part of a circular economy," Harrison says, "and we've learned that more and more consumers are looking for ways that they can decrease their environmental impact in their lives, including their shopping choices. We aim to provide conscious consumers with an easy way to connect with like-minded small businesses."
Sustainable Main Street: Bridging the Sustainability Gap
Sustainability's explosion into the mainstream, with virtually all of the world's largest companies having some sort of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) reporting or making carbon neutrality pledges, has resulted in complex economic and political issues. Most of the conversations around business sustainability focus on meeting investor pressures, regulatory requirements, or supply chain necessities.
The premise of Sustainable Main Street is that a shift towards more sustainable business practices shouldn't be limited to large corporations. "The rush to sustainability shouldn't shut out small businesses," Harrison says.
Sustainable Main Street will empower small business leader's sustainability journeys in three ways:
- Creating a safe and judgment-free community of business owners who prioritize progress over perfection.
- Providing small businesses with campaigns, content, and connections.
- Making it easier for conscious consumers to find businesses that prioritize the environment.
"We call it One Small Step," Harrison explains, adding that members will be provided with a self-assessment scorecard to record and track their progress and then build a customized sustainability plan for their business. "Each month, we provide simple action items that businesses can consider integrating into their operation and some simple marketing messaging ideas to help them share their experiences with their audience."
Next, their growing online directory will list the businesses that are a part of the movement. "In this way, we can help conscious consumers easily find like-minded businesses," Brooks explains, adding that this online directory will also become helpful to larger organizations that are increasingly looking for suppliers who fit their sustainable supply chain profile.
Finally, a monthly newsletter will help share inspiring stories of individuals and organizations who are making small but meaningful steps towards more conscious commerce and becoming more mindful of the ways they spend their money.
Unveiling at NARTS Conference: A New Era for Small Businesses
This novel concept will be debuted at the upcoming NARTS Conference, set to take place from June 23-26 in Houston, Texas. NARTS, The Association of Resale Professionals, is the world's largest trade association representing the resale industry. "This is our first time attending," Brooks shares, "and it seems a fitting stage for introducing a concept that so closely aligns with the resale industry."
Big Impact of Small Business
While countries and corporations grapple with their own carbon challenges, small businesses remain the primary driver of the U.S. economy. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), small businesses make up 99.9% of all U.S. businesses. They constitute about 45% of the workforce, with almost 62 million employees.
Sustainable Main Street is designed to make sustainable business models attainable for businesses with smaller teams and limited resources and enable consumers to align their purchasing power with their values. "We already know that small businesses are more nimble and adaptable to change," Harrison says, "now, imagine if we empowered them to grow their business while playing a meaningful role in a brighter global future."
To learn more, sign up for the free newsletter, or add a business listing, visit sustainablemainstreet.com.