Look Local First Celebrates First Ever Look Local First Day
We are so excited to announce that the city of Waukee, IA officially declared November 18th as Look Local First Day! This day was established to celebrate small businesses and their commitment to their local community! We also want Look Local First Day to encourage consumers to support local and small businesses during the holiday season and all year-round.
Look Local First was organized in tandem with The Waukee Chamber of Commerce and was officially declared an annual holiday by the Mayor of Waukee, Mayor Courtney Clarke, on November 14th of 2022! Last month we celebrated by co-hosting the Chamber's "Business Before Breakfast" in the Look Local First Lounge.
“Look Local First Day is a culmination of our movement, officially empowering people to support unique small businesses and recognize our local entrepreneurs for the good they put back into our community,” said VizyPay’s Look Local First Brand Specialist Akilah Anders. “We invited VizyPay merchants and members of the Waukee Chamber of Commerce to our headquarters to celebrate the first ever Look Local First Day. We’re reminded by the businesses we serve everyday that shopping small helps independent stores and restaurants stay open and keeps members of the community employed.”
Established by VizyPay in 2019, Look Local First was created to support creatives, makers, and entrepreneurs; and cultivate a community of people who believe in and support that same message. Small businesses make up 99% of Iowa businesses, keep nearly 50% of Iowa’s workforce employed and add to Iowa’s unique culture. Look Local First is here to advocate for small businesses and help consumers see the value in looking local & shopping small.
“Small businesses make up 99% of the U.S. economy and reinvest an average of 50% of earnings back into the local economy,” said Michael Bartos, president and CEO of the Waukee Chamber of Commerce. “Plus, they’re what make places special and fun to live, work and play in. Look Local First Day is an opportunity to support our small businesses like how they support our communities.”
We look forward to celebrating Look Local First Day every November and can't wait for all of the exciting things to come in 2023! Happy Holidays from us to you!
