Remember that one and only bakery for miles making yummy traditional Anzac biscuits? Or that café that makes lamington you’ll never get elsewhere? Or the hair salon you and your mum have been going to for years? These are mostly small businesses that we’ve all grown up with or have grown to love. They are also local Australian businesses that need our continuing support, especially during these times.

Across the country and all over the world, news about companies shutting down has become commonplace.

The social distancing and quarantine policies put in place to arrest the spread of COVID-19 have worked to some degree. However, these have also affected businesses and jobs.

Even with federal government support, there are limits as to how much revenue losses small and medium business owners can endure.

In the face of COVID-19 that shows no signs of going away soon, we need to do our part to help revitalise our local economy. And the good thing is that it doesn't require much spending and effort to help.

Here are five things you can do now to show your support for small Australian businesses:

1. Shop online

Shopping online has kept hundreds and perhaps even thousands of small businesses afloat during COVID-19. Resourceful individuals who lost their jobs have also started selling wares online to survive the crisis. To help homegrown businesses, try to avoid purchasing food, face masks, and other essentials from big retailers or transnational corporations. Instead, make an effort to support small local sellers and online shops.

2. Order food for pickup or delivery

Although some restaurants have been open since the latter part of May, others have remained closed. Instead, they offer customers the option to order for pickup or delivery. So, consider ordering from them. Doing so is a win-win — you get to enjoy your favourite food whilst also helping local restaurants stay afloat.

3. Buy gift cards or certificates

Whether it’s from a salon, hardware store, flower shop, or bookshop, purchase gift cards if these are available. The cash flow you contribute is valuable during these lean times. You can use the gift cards for later when business goes back to normal.

4. Donate in cash or kind

If you can afford to, do donate to struggling local businesses, whether in cash or kind. Better yet, involve them in your charitable endeavours. For example, if your club is giving away care packs to indigents, you can partner with an Australian hand sanitiser brand. By doing so, you're not only helping the recipients of the care packs but also injecting some cash into the business supplying hand sanitisers.

Another idea is to raise funds or promote small businesses through wristbands from Handband, a local business based in Sydney. You can have the individual logos of the local companies you support printed on the wristbands. At the same time, you’ll also be using the products of another Australian company.

5. Promote on social media

Instead of mindlessly scrolling through your social media newsfeed, use this time to share posts of local companies. Simply like, share, repost, or tweet them. It’s an easy and effective way to increase their exposure and perhaps even bring in some business their way.

Let’s help each other

The effects of COVID-19 are far-reaching, and everyone is still feeling its economic impact, particularly small businesses. Try to help in any way you can by buying local Australian-made products and patronising small businesses in your neighbourhood.

Whether you help by ordering local, donating, fundraising, or promoting, every bit counts.

If you need promotional wristbands, brass hand distancers, or other Australian-made products featured on our website, please contact Handband.