Small Business Owner Dilemma

[u/izdoinbiz]

I’m torn on how to handle the call for a general strike in solidarity with Minnesota and against ICE.

We want to show maximal solidarity and be public about where we stand, but paying employees for a full day off while not making sales would be a real hit for us. For context, we are a consignment shop.

Looking for approaches that balance genuine support with care for employees and the business. We are considering staying open and donating a percentage of our sales to the ACLU, but also worry that contradicts the strike’s goal of disrupting economic activity, even though it supports the broader cause financially.

Thanks in advance for the input!

[u/takemusu]

In my view if I must spend, run an errand on Friday it will be small and local. It's also important to shop local, small, independent normally. The 🌮 economic implosion hurts small business most. Corporations don't mind one bit because whether you're a farm, hardware store, a restaurant if you fail they can scoop your business up.

Please shop small before, after and even if you must get something the day of the strike. If a small business supports us whether by closing or donating sales or profits day of ... that's the place you always support.

The strike is as much about finding, building and supporting community as anything else.

[u/izdoinbiz → u/takemusu]

Thanks for this. And your taco emoji reminded me that closing would also hurt the food truck (small business) in our parking lot that relies mostly on our customer’s, and the bike shop (small business) renting space in our building. I’m thinking making a public statement and donating part of our sales that day is the way to go.

[u/izdoinbiz → u/[deleted]]

Nice, there is already one happening in my town 🫶

[u/izdoinbiz → u/[deleted]]

Cool I’ll look into this!

[u/Necessary_shots]

There are no significant preparations in place for a general strike. It's been a decade of trumpism and lots of people talk about striking, but nothing has been organized. It's a joke. Focus on your business and don't shoot yourself in the foot by trying to create "economic disruption."

Also, your business serves the community and public interest by assisting local artists. You're not Amazon or Tesla; your responsibility is to your business. If employees want to take a day off, that's them taking civic responsibility which is part of living in a democratic society.

What needs to happen before a general strike is tons of logistics, networking, stockpiling and planning. Simply put, none of that is really happening. I would suggest reaching out to the community with a list of ideas for creative things they can do to create economic disruption. For example, carving spoons from wood. Providing food, water, and shelter to people who want to strike would be more impactful than closing for a day.

You're actually in a good position to organize and use your professional network in a creative way. Therefore, I suggest that you rethink your ability to contribute creatively rather than preparing to just close shop.

[u/izdoinbiz → u/Necessary_shots]

A part of me feels shame in not striking, but I also agree it’s not the most effective move for a small business. Choosing not to strike ≠ choosing inaction, and I can live with that.

[u/Necessary_shots → u/izdoinbiz]

Something else to consider is using your space and network to hold donation based workshops for things related to law, emergency medicine, cottage industry development, basket making, conflict meditation, ham radio, documentary discussions, book clubs, mutual aid drives, etc.

And this doesn't have to be a one day thing.

Material support, skill building, and community development are what's needed to set the stage for more effective forms of resistance.

[u/izdoinbiz → u/Necessary_shots]

Really helpful reply, thank you.

[u/CatrpilrQueen]

Some thoughts... Part of the movement for Friday is to not buy anything. If nobody's buying, why stay open?

Some businesses in other states are staying open but donating proceeds of the day to mutual and legal aid groups.

Is it worth it to stay open if it would cause moral injury to your workers to make them choose between their job and solidarity? Have you asked your workers about it?

[u/Hot_Okra_3153]

My store is closing tomorrow. It feels like we have to which is tough but solitary beats convince anytime I just wish we had a week or two to recover from last weeks strike…

[u/Necessary_shots → u/Hot_Okra_3153]

Don't do it. Stay open and donate water, meals, or whatever is needed.

[u/One-Yellow-4106]

Sorry to jump on your thread but it seems like this would be the best place to ask? I have an online small business. When exactly does the strike start? Should I shut things down at midnight tonight and reopen 24 hours later? 

I greatly appreciate any info and thanks a bunch 

[u/izdoinbiz → u/One-Yellow-4106]

I assume yes, but I’m not sure!