No matter where you go, you are bound to find at least one local shop that is doing it right! It might be a bakery or a donut shop. Maybe it’s the neighborhood convenient store or restaurant. Whatever the place, it is a staple in your community. Maybe it’s one you visit frequently, or maybe it’s the place to go on those very special occasions. Either way, we want you to let them know that they are appreciated this week.
That’s right, we used that word again…”appreciated.” But honestly, how many of you reading this post don’t like to feel appreciated. When we work hard our natural reaction is to at least get a little recognition. If God recognizes when we do well (Matthew 25:23), why can’t we do that for each other?
Did you know that buying local helps to improve your community’s economic standing? According to Fast Company, buying local cuts out the middle-man, feeding more money directly into your community1. But for those in an urban setting, it’s so much more than just cutting out the middle-man. It’s supporting someone’s dream. It’s helping someone get over the rough part of their life.
Going into business for yourself is not easy and it most definitely isn’t always fun, but it can leave some very positive results. More than 50 percent of all new businesses fail within the first four years which can be detrimental to families depending on that money to survive. But you can be a part of the solution!
The steps for this round of blackjack are pretty easy. Find at least three local businesses that are important to the functioning of your city or neighborhood, support their business by purchasing something and let them know that you appreciate them. But don’t stop there, get your friends involved in the challenge too. If 75 percent of your community could support the local businesses that have been a part of their daily life, imagine what that business could do. Don’t just buy local, instead support local!
“Thank you, come again!”
After you have completed the challenge, take some time to reflect upon the week and the actions you took to complete the tasks, and then create a post (video is highly encouraged!) and upload it to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtags #BTGUM and #BlackJackChallenge for a chance to be featured on our page. Don’t want to post to social media? No problem! We still want to hear from you! Send an email to blackjack@btgum.com and let us know how each challenge has impacted you.
Make Your Move
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