Today I’m happy to share a guest post from Kate Gatski of The Steek Fork. Like me, Kate and her husband Ben run their business, Gatski Metal, from a rural part of Pennsylvania. Kate’s provided a great post for tapping into your local resources, which is important whether you live in the city, the country, or somewhere in between.
Hi! I’m Kate Gatski. My husband Ben and I have run Gatski Metal for the last 8 years. We create metal sculptures from recycled farm machinery. In 2009, we founded The Steel Fork, where we sell handmade home décor, our own whole hog sausage and other farm inspired goods. The Steel Fork blog brings together our love of art, food, and farm.
We’ve learned a lot in the past 8 years, and one thing we’ve really learned is the importance of going local. Your local community offers a well of resources and support. It’s well worth your time to tap it. In using local resources, you are supporting your local economy. You support them and they will support you both economically and emotionally.
In the internet age, it’s easy to forget the value of going local, and even how to connect with your local community. How does it work? Well, as you review my list of local resources- just pick one and start slow. Keep your expectations realistic. Here’s the thing about “doing it locally,” it takes a lot of time. It’s easy to get frustrated- local doesn’t always mean “they understand you” but most times it does mean “they will welcome you.” Given some time and effort, your local community will support your handmade business.
Local Business Resources:
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network: Each week an extremely helpful business consultant comes to our small town to answer any business questions we (or any other business owner) have. This may be the case in your town too. The SBDC has about 1000 service centers throughout the country that offer free, face-to-face business consulting. You can visit one of these service centers [in larger towns or cities] or call to find out what services are available in your town.
- SCORE “Counselors To Americas Small Business” also offers free and personal business advice. With chapters across the country, you can visit your local office and meet with your own personal business coach.
- Chamber of Commerce: Your local chamber is a great place to meet other business owners. Many of the challenges faced by small businesses are universal. Why not stop by your local Chamber and see what’s happening? At the very least, they have a directory of their members. Peruse it for contacts.
Local Arts & Handmade Resources:
- In some cases, you need to start nationally to find what is going on locally. Check out the State Arts Agency Links on the US Regional Arts Organizations website. Look for an Arts Council your state. Many states or regions also have Craftsmans Guilds. Our state is home to the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen. This Guild also has very active local chapters with events of their own.
- Etsy Teams are another great way to get involved locally. Many teams are formed around a specific location. You can share experiences and work together to promote your shops.
- How about getting your own group together? It needn’t be formal, a casual gathering of makers can provide great inspiration.
- Here is a fun one. Take some time to stroll into your local shops. Do they sell handmade work? Do they review new work? Do they consign? Today we do very little consignment, but it’s absolutely a great way to start. Even if your work is not the best fit for them, it’s likely they have contacts where it will be.
- Early on we found a small, artist cooperative in our town. We participated in their invitational art show [showing work of non-members like ourselves]. It was a great way to gain some local support.
Local Neighbors:
Last but not least are your neighbors [I’m using the rural definition of neighbors- more or less within 5 square miles]. Hear me out on this one. After eight years, most of our neighbors don’t really understand what we’re doing- but they support us. They might let us know where we can find more shredded paper for packing materials, they might help us with a technical welding question or they might just say, “hey that’s neat.”
- Ease into it. Let them know what you do in small doses. Your neighbors may have marketing opportunities, supplier contacts, design ideas or they might just help you “keep it real.” No matter the case, it’s worth a bit of your time.
Looking back, I see that on average we tapped into one local resource each year. In the first few years it was stopping into local craft galleries. As we progressed, we got business advice from SBDC. As we gained more confidence we were talking with people in our neighborhood.
Perhaps cliché, but so true in a local community is “what goes around comes around.” It is a long process. Take your time and enjoy the journey.
Are there any local resources you like to tap into? Please do share in the comments.
Great suggestions! I’ve taken some classes at our local SBDC and have met so many people through that. Next up, SCORE.
Thanks for sharing these resources.
I couldn’t agree more! The local SBDC chapter has been invaluable and helped me connect with a local design firm to build my new website.
Also check and see if there is a Craft Mafia or similar networking organization in your area. If not, consider starting one! I’m a founding member of the New Orleans Craft Mafia, and over the last 5 years we have really become the go-to resource for craft in our city… we’ve achieved a lot of press as a group that we individual members could not have dreamed of on our own!
I would also recommend contacting local colleges and universities to see if they can help match you up with interns. Students can be great for helping build your social media presence or marketing your business if you don’t feel you have the time or experience to do it yourself.
Thanks for your comments! Great to hear about the Craft Mafia (http://craftmafia.com/main.html). I didn’t know about it- I can’t wait to check it out more. Thanks Mallory for the tip about local colleges and universities for interns. Fabulous idea!
No problem! All of the Craft Mafias are organized differently, but having a network of like-minded crafty business owners is great!
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I love this article! There is such a need for local support from the community you reside in. This past January, I started a local Etsy team and I’m so glad I did. One thing that they said they were in need of was a nearby connection. We spend so much time doing things virtually, that we sometimes forget all the resources we have that are real and tangible support right in front of us! Thanks, that was awesome!
A very interesting and accurate article. I live in a fairly isolated rural area in Gulargambone Australia and have opened a sewing, quilting, craft and gift shop primarily to replace a host of services that have been lost from both the local community and the general “shopping” area. This shop would not exist without the hours of free “help” from my good friends and neighbours. It has taken a few years to build up the networks outside the local community but the support for both sourcing and selling new supplies and product that I have received from virtually total strangers (crafters met on the net!) has been wonderful. The local Shire Council, local businesses and our Australian version of your SBDC (Australia’s Business Enterprise Centre) have all offered valuable information and support to keep this little business up and going. Hopefully 2010 will see Memories and Mayhem reaching all the goal posts!
Thank you for sharing your story. Great tips I will have to check. I have to remind myself that it is a journey and good things come to those who wait. Wish you continued success.
What is a uri? (see above)Hey, she is pretty darn smart. She’s a kpeeer!Very, very, very nice newsletter!!Do you know if the other SBDC Directors and Intake Specialists are receiving it? I bet they would appreciate seeing such a best practices model.jw
Thank you Chrystal. That is terrific that you started an Etsy Team! Enjoyed reading your comment Sue. How wonderful that you were able open a shop with local support from friends and neighbors! Thanks Nikki- so true, “good things come to those who wait.” It is hard to be patient some times. Really appreciate all your comments.
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Thinking locally is the first source of inspiration for any business. Local supplies, local mentors, local organizations..and at times avenues for sales. Locally, our Newspaper is independent and does a terrific job of highlighting local artists and their crafts. Good blog topic with some ideas I haven’t tried yet.
great post – Thank you!
That is a good way to put it Eleanore, “thinking locally is the first source of inspiration for any business.” Each community does have something unique to offer a business. Thanks for your comment!
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