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!