What Members Have to Say

“Owning and operating a small business is hard work. Having a support group of fellow business owners and operators, such as those in Locally Owned Tallahassee, is helpful in many ways. Individually we have become good friends who not only help sustain each other’s businesses, but listen and care about our personal lives as well, which are certainly affected as independent business owners.

Having the opportunity to be a part of Locally Owned Tallahassee has also dramatically affected the amount of involvement we are able to have in our community. As a whole, we can make a larger impact than as individuals. Locally Owned Tallahassee’s contribution to the Second Harvest Food bank at our annual Feed the Community Festival is significant. Our contribution to the Tallahassee community at large is very positive on that day as thousands of people enjoy a day of music, food, community, camaraderie, and a sense of joy in helping. As one person, or even one business, we could not get these same results – it takes all of us working together to achieve this.

Owners,  Uptown Cafe and Catering

"I think that Locally Owned Tallahassee gives the business owner a great opportunity to network with other business owners. We advise and encourage each other and we're there to help when needed. Instead of competing with each other, we gladly pass customers from shop to shop. My business and traffic flow has increased measurably since joining." 
Karen Loewen

Owner,  Remember When…A Shop of Memories

"Our businesses joined Locally Owned Tallahassee three years ago. At the time we were looking for a way to network with other business owners to exchange ideas concerning the best way to grow our business. Some topics we were pondering were the best ways to advertise, how to handle customer service issues and basically how to hold on during the slow times. With our Locally Owned Tallahassee membership we were given an instant community of small business owners like ourselves to exchange ideas and concerns important to small independent businesses like ours. Being a member of this group has also allowed me to give back to our community with participation in our "Feed the Community Fall Festival" benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank of Tallahassee. This benefit was started over 6 years ago and continues to grow and produce larger and larger donations to help the needy in our area. Bottom line, Locally Owned Tallahassee has given me and my business a super group of peers and a wonderful sense of community. I highly recommend this organization to all small independent businesses looking for a group to help grow our local economy with and create positive community awareness." 
Melissa Walker

Owner,  The Patio Shop and Ebb and Flow

“We originally became a member of Locally Owned Tallahassee so that we could be listed in the Shop Locally Owned Brochure.  Since then, we have had the opportunity to meet other local businesses at meetings and exchange ideas about what works, and what does not. This type of exchange is priceless to local businesses.  For less than one print ad, we have obtained many more clients and we have had the opportunity to give back to Tallahassee through the Annual Feed the Community Festival at Lake Ella.  Clients even come into our store asking for the brochure.  It is a Win-Win association!" 
Zan Bielec

Owner, The Other Side

"The independent business community has been seriously affected by the growth of large corporate chain businesses.  The economic health, diversity, and uniqueness of Tallahassee is at risk as we see more and more local treasures struggle or disappear altogether.  Locally Owned Tallahassee has given me the opportunity to work with other independent local business owners to address what we can do together to thwart this trend. We spread the word to the community about local options for everything from restaurants to video stores. We work together to give something back to the community that supports us. We send each other business through our directory and through word of mouth. We have a great sense of camaraderie which is a wonderful way for a weary business owner to reenergize!”

Wendy Halleck

Owner,  Quarter Moon Imports

"As a new business owner, I've appreciated the support and good advice I've received from the experienced business people in Locally Owned Tallahassee, even before I opened my doors. If you've never operated a retail establishment before, things can be bewildering at times. But just sitting in on the meetings, listening to concerns, hearing practical solutions, getting a chance to know my community better, and learning to be an asset to Tallahassee as a whole has been a tremendous help to me. I'm sure any success I enjoy will be due in big part to my membership in Locally Owned Tallahassee. I certainly could not have found a friendlier or more helpful group of people to help me in my endeavors." 
Gail Altman

Owner, Helenenthal Books