What many of us have known for years has become a recent movement. It’s a movement taking consumers away from large, impersonal big-box retailers and Internet companies and reintroducing them to people doing business locally. When consumers support their local businesses, they enjoy benefits that they cannot possibly get from shopping on-line and at national chains. If initial cost was the only factor worth considering in a purchase decision, then local businesses may sometimes be at a disadvantage. However, there are many other short and long-term considerations when making a purchasing decision. When you personally know the people where you are buying local products and services you enjoy a connection you would not otherwise have. Getting help from a large corporation can be a nightmare. Start with an 800 number, be transferred, and put on hold; possibly be connected to someone you cannot understand, and finally talk to someone who has little concern over loosing you as a customer. When you shop local, the business owner has a connection to every employee in the store leading to a personal approach that often means your problem is taken seriously.
Even with all of these benefits from purchasing locally, when the business owners personally know their customers, the level of service and customization gets even better. This was the case when members of the Wickliffe Italian American Club heard presentations from four local businesses who also are major sponsors of the Pat O’Brien Cleveland Challenge Cup of Bocce. Alan Suhy from Pat O’Brien Chevrolet promises club members, family and friends great service with integrity every step of the way for purchasing, leasing and servicing. Known for its large inventory, Upfront Pricing Guarantee, and unrivaled customer service, no other Cleveland Chevrolet dealer offers as much as Pat O’Brian. Minute Men family of companies’ representative, Dave Wells, explained the wide range of services Minute Men offers. Services include: staffing, insurance, personnel logistics, payroll processing, and Ohio workers’ comp medical management and customer service. Club members who own businesses will find many personalized services available from Minute Men. Wickliffe Key Bank branch manager and assistant vice-president, Marty Grmek offers financial solutions to individuals and business members of the club. Key Bank has the feel and service level of a small family bank while offering the expertise and resources of a large bank. Marty will provide personal service backed by the relationship he has built with our club and its members over many years. Key bank has branches throughout N.E. Ohio to make everyday banking easier for members who may live outside of Wickliffe. Account executive, Patrick Muscenti, is our club’s contact at Insurance Partners, a leading independent insurance agency that specializes in business and personal insurance, employee benefits, life insurance, and professional liability. The agency has earned its reputation for excellence by leveraging more than five decades of risk management experience to deliver keen insight, service, and solutions to clients’ distinct needs, including competitive, niche, and specialty products/services. Organizations of all sizes and sectors benefit from Insurance Partners’ business insurance expertise combined with a distinct approach and access to a broad range of premier insurance carriers. According to Patrick, “There is strength in numbers with a larger independent insurance agency. Insurance Partners is large enough to serve a diverse clientele with a variety of products and services, yet small enough to have a community presence. This combination provides great value for our clients.”
Doing business locally has benefits beyond convenience. When you support local business, you get a better level of service, as well as making your community a better place to live.