How to Support Local Businesses: Viral Squishy Toys & More
Table of Contents
- How to Support Local Businesses: 5 Simple Steps
- Viral Squishy Toys and Other Local Finds
- How to Promote Small Businesses Without Spending Money
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: September 28, 2026
How to Support Local Businesses: 5 Simple Steps
Learning how to support local businesses starts with one habit: spend where you live. Try these five steps this week.
Support local businesses by shopping in person, leaving reviews, sharing posts, buying gift cards, and attending community events. Most of it costs nothing.
- Shop local for everyday needs. Grab a gift from a nearby shop instead of a big-box site.
- Leave positive online reviews. A few honest sentences help the next shopper.
- Engage on social media. Like, comment, and share posts from small business owners.
- Purchase gift cards. They bring in money now and a new customer later.
- Tip generously and attend local events. Markets put you face to face with makers.
Viral Squishy Toys and Other Local Finds
Viral squishy toys show why local shopping still matters. You can't squeeze a product photo, you have to hold it, poke it, and watch it rise back into shape.
Local gift shops near me carry more than trends, books, apparel, and artisan goods you won't find in a chain, like Lost Restaurants of Tulsa by Rhys A. Martin.
History lovers can also find Tulsa's Haunted Memories, Art Deco Tulsa, and Tulsa's Historic Greenwood District Book.
So grab the squishy toy your kid saw online, but look around. The next shelf usually holds something better.
How to Promote Small Businesses Without Spending Money
Promoting a small business costs nothing but a few minutes, yet most people never do it.
Start with your digital footprint: follow the shop, share their post, and tag them when you use what you bought.
Digital advocacy beyond reviews matters too: reviews live on one page, but a shared post travels through feeds for days.
Word of mouth still outperforms almost everything else, you listen to a friend's recommendation but scroll past an ad.
Want to go further? Try B2B local support: hire a nearby printer, caterer, or photographer, then thank them publicly.
Budget-conscious advocacy works too, a kind comment, a photo, or a group chat mention all count.
- Share a post once a week
- Tag the shop in your photos
- Recommend them in local Facebook groups
- Bring a friend on your next visit
Long-term community building is the real goal: one visit is nice, but showing up every season keeps a store alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I support local businesses without spending money?
You can support local businesses without spending a dime by leaving positive online reviews, sharing their posts on social media, and telling friends about them. Word of mouth is powerful; a simple recommendation can bring in new customers. You can also attend free community events, take photos of their storefront, and tag them online. These actions cost nothing but help small business owners gain visibility and build customer loyalty.
What are the best ways to promote small businesses on social media?
Share authentic photos or videos of your favorite local finds, like viral squishy toys or unique gifts. Tag the business and use local hashtags. Write a short post explaining why you love the shop. Engage with their content by liking, commenting, and sharing. You can also create a 'local favorites' highlight on Instagram. These steps boost their digital footprint and encourage others to shop local.
Where can I find unique items like viral squishy toys locally?
Check independent gift shops, toy stores, and general stores in your area. Places that focus on curated, locally sourced merchandise often carry trending items like squishy toys before big-box retailers. Visit during weekdays to chat with staff, who can point you to new arrivals. If you're in Tulsa, Ida Red General Store is a great place to start for unique gifts and Oklahoma-themed souvenirs.
Supporting local shops takes five minutes and zero dollars. Ida Red General Store makes it easy to start: we're woman-owned and family-operated, voted the city's best gift store year after year, and we've been part of this community since 2008. Come browse our curated gifts, souvenirs, and local goods, or ask our team for help finding the perfect present. Get started with Ida Red General Store and put your next gift purchase back into the neighborhood.
