How You Help

You Have the Power

Your Choices

  • Put food on your neighbor’s table

  • Put presents under trees

We Must

  • Choose Community Over Convenience

  • Keep Christmas in the Community

  • Be Intentional. Buy Local or Bye, Bye Local

Give

Your Money
is 3x More Impactful Locally

When you buy from a local business or support a local nonprofit, you create 3x more jobs, support 3x more families and create 3x more dreams. You create the vibrant life we have for yourself and others.

That’s because those local organizations pay others locally – our friends and neighbors. Locals supporting local.

NEW IN 2023

EmpowHER &
South La Crosse Business Association

Small group, peer-to-peer accountability for women business owners & leaders.

Receive peer mentorship, camaraderie, and support in a monthly meeting set to a collective schedule with 8-10 other women.

COST: Your first meeting is free. $25 to join. Increases quarterly until $100 / month.

LEADER: Vicki Markussen, owner/publisher of BizNews Greater La Crosse, former leader of the Chamber of Commerce, 7 Rivers Alliance, and La Crosse Area Builders Association.

PROCEEDS: benefit the Greater La Crosse LOCAL Business Alliance.

Groups forming in April 2023.

Connecting businesses on La Crosse's Southside businesses.

You define if you are a Southsider.
All are welcome.

GOAL: help each other and grow the community.

Contributors are included in:

  • Monthly Meeting
  • Creation of strategies to help the Southside grow
SEED FUNDERS: Join Now ($10/mo or $110/year)

Interest Form

First meeting to be scheduled.

Already a Lover of All Things Local

Or know somoene else who is?

We’re seeking people who are passionate about trying new local places and products and sharing them out on social media. We will reward them with giving them more of what they love!

Refer an Influencer

Ways to Support Local Businesses

Give the Gift of Local for the Holidays

Gift cards to local businesses are now cool when added with a thoughtful note. “I know you love this place. We’re giving you this gift card because we knew you’d like them to stay in business. Use it. Don’t use it as a gift to the local owners.”

Replace Holiday Parties with Family Gift Cards

There can still be celebrations, employee appreciation, and holiday cheer. Give a gift card to employees with a special note, “Thank you for all you do for us. We want you to celebrate while also helping put presents under the tree for local workers. Here’s a gift card to a local restaurant. Enjoy!”

Slow Online Spending

If you can get a product locally, please do. It may employ a high school student learning a work ethic, a college student paying for school, a parent putting food on the table or a present under a tree.

Liking, Commenting, Sharing Matters ... A LOT

Social media showcases high performing posts – that means liking and commenting helps keep that post active and alive on your favorite company’s page.

Forgive Expired Gift Cards

Gift cards provide cash up-front for businesses. A percentage of them never get used. Yes, allowing you to used an expired gift card is great customer service. Consider being generous if you can let it go.

Post Your Experience Buying Local, Loving Local

Every local business needs to be top of mind when people go to spend money. Posting experiences you had picking up and eating out helps remind our community where they can support local. Tag in #golsWI and #getonlivingsafely and we’ll pick it up and share it.

Tear Up Old BOGOs

Buy one get one offers work great for companies to move inventory or to make money off of bar tabs and other areas with higher profit margins. If it was issued prior to the pandemic and you’re taking out or picking up just those items, consider not using it. It creates a painful loss for that business right now.

Consider Cash Payments. Choose Debit vs. Credit.

You save a company 1-3% in processing fees by paying in cash. The fees are also lower if you choose debit vs. credit, if your card allows. This helps reduce the costs on the business.

 

Tip Well

Tip generously. Remember, when you tip a driver, it is that driver getting tipped, not the employee at the business.

Be Kind. Patient. Compassionate.

Everyone is feeling off. Business flow is off. Menus must change to minimize waste. A small gesture goes a long way.