How You Can Promote & Support Diversity-Owned Businesses

With more than 4 million minority-owned businesses in the United States, chances are that your community has several that you can help promote and support through your individual actions. From seeking out diversity-owned businesses for products and services you need to completing online reviews for minority-owned businesses, there are many ways that individuals on the North Shore can help support and promote these small businesses. 

Here are 5 simple but effective ways that you can make a difference in promoting and supporting diversity-owned or minority-owned businesses on the North Shore. 

For this article, we will be using interchangeably diversity-owned, minority-owned, and minority-owned business enterprises as various organizations use different terms to express similar findings.

Buy From Diversity-Owned Businesses 

The North Shore Alliance for Economic Development has recently created a Diversity Directory in an effort to improve equity and diversity in both the public and private sectors. This Directory includes businesses that are at least 51% owned by someone of the following categories: immigrants, members of the LGBTQIA community, People of Color, Women, Veterans, People with Disabilities, and those who identify as American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islanders. 

A simple way to support and promote a minority-owned business is to visit the Alliance’s Diversity Directory and view the companies’ services and products as you consider your purchase needs. Whether you are buying a cup of coffee or a gift for a friend, choose to give your business to a minority-owned establishment. 

Promote A Diversity-Owned Business’ Services or Products 

Business owners and leaders have the opportunity to promote other businesses’ products and services. For instance, if your company often holds conferences where you need services such as floral centerpieces, a venue to hold the event, or maybe just coffee and snack services, consider choosing a minority-owned business to do this. 

By utilizing these services and products in your business you are showing your support, helping word-of-mouth referrals, and financially promoting the business. 

Complete Online Reviews 

Large corporations have a finely-tuned system of asking their consumers for Google reviews or other online reviews/testimonials to get the word out about their business. Do your part by completing online reviews when you have used one of the Diversity Directory companies. Your review will be seen and your positive experience will help support and promote minority-owned businesses. 

Sponsor & Network with Diversity-Owned Businesses

As a business leader, you can help support diversity-owned businesses by networking and guiding new businesses in your area. If you happen to be a member of a Chamber of Commerce in your region, consider sponsoring one of these businesses to help them connect with other businesses in your community and be able to access other business resources. 

Commit To Workforce Diversity 

As a business owner, it is important to consider your own workforce diversity. A diverse workforce will not only benefit your company in numerous ways, it will also help support your community and minority-owned businesses as well. 

While these are just a start to supporting and promoting diversity-owned businesses, these simple steps can go a long way to helping spread the word and bring in consumers to these growing businesses.