Why Small Businesses Belong in the Fight for Our Communities

When people think about protecting democracy in 2026, they may picture showing up to the polls, attending a protest, or volunteering for a campaign. All of those actions matter, but there is a quiet way people are resisting oppression, and it's as easy as running errands or doing your daily shopping. 

As a small business owner, I’ve come to understand that every purchase is more than just a simple transaction. It’s a conscious investment in the kind of community we want to build. We have limited time, resources, and options when it comes to where we shop for ourselves and our families. Most people want to feel good about where they are spending their hard-earned money, and they want to know that businesses they patronize have their best interests at heart and give back to their communities. 

I’ve seen firsthand how local businesses can become community anchors. Independent bookstores, coffee shops, restaurants, and other locally owned businesses are often among the first to host community conversations, support local artists, partner with civic organizations, and provide space for people to learn from one another.

This is one reason I’ve chosen to partner with Leander Women for Progress. While our organizations have different roles, we share the belief that strong communities are built when people are informed, engaged, and connected to one another. Whether we’re hosting events, supporting local causes, or creating opportunities for civic participation, our goal is the same: helping people feel empowered to shape the future of their community.

LW+P at PRIDE

The relationship between local business and democracy is closer than many people realize. As we have seen in places like Minneapolis this past year, democracy thrives when communities take care of each other. Unlike large retailers, locally owned businesses tend to reinvest their revenue directly back into the neighborhoods where they operate. When crises hit, it's our friends and neighbors who support us, not large corporations.

Small businesses also create something less measurable but equally important: Third Spaces. A community third space is basically an environment that is not a person’s home or place of employment. A third space gives people a safe place to exist and participate in their community. In a time when many people feel isolated or disconnected, community spaces matter. They give people opportunities to meet their neighbors, exchange ideas, learn from different perspectives, and build the relationships that make their communities resilient.

Every choice we make as consumers has consequences and impact. While we may only cast ballots a handful of times each year, we vote with our dollars every day. Supporting small businesses whose values align with our own is one way we can contribute to the kind of community we want to see flourish.

Democracy is not only built in voting booths. It is built in bookstores, coffee shops, community centers, local events, and countless other places where people come together. Small businesses are part of that work, and I’m proud to stand alongside organizations that are committed to strengthening our community for everyone.

—Sarah Ambrus, Founder of Lioness Books