'It Could Change Somebody's Life': Small Business Owners Encourage Tulsans To Shop Local

Bessie Reaves is a florist at Stems Floral Boutique in Utica Square.

“This is a beautiful flower and gift shop, it's been here for years, this is one of our TulsaGo partners and this is a great example of a small business dream coming to life,” said Erik-Michael Collins with TulsaGo.

Reaves has seen that dream come to life firsthand. She says being a small business has its perks.

“We really take more time to get to know all the customers,” she said. 

Collins says it's shops like these that keep the Tulsa area going.

“What we’ve always said is a vibrant small business community is the foundation to any city,” he said.

That's why TulsaGo launched a multi-city initiative called Shop Small Tulsa to encourage the community to shop local on Small Business Saturday.

“This is the time that we really wanna focus on hearing what these small businesses have to offer and seeing their contributions here in the city,” he said. 

Everything from breweries to gift shops, to restaurants and coffee shops like Topeca Coffee are participating. Marketing manager Alex Sapaugh says Topeca is unique.

“Topeca’s really cool because it's a family business, even back to the farms in El Salvador, it's one family, that's here and there, so all our coffee’s fully traceable, so that's something special about our coffee,” she said. 

She says shopping small can have a big impact.

“Big businesses online, they're not gonna notice when you make a purchase but like if we have a really great day here, it could change somebody’s life,” she said.

Collins says that impact can be felt not only within the store but within the whole community.

“When you shop local, those dollars stay here in the community and they go towards infrastructure projects and things like that,” he said. 

Proving that when you shop small, you can make a big difference.

Shoppers who spend $100 or more at participating businesses are eligible to win the Tulsa Winter Experience giveaway. 

The prize is dinner for two at Prossimo Ristorante, Nutcracker ballet tickets, a couples Massage and a holiday wreath workshop. 

To enter the giveaway, just upload copies of your receipts totaling a hundred dollars or more to the TulsaGo website. 

The winner will be announced next week.