The Los Angeles Post

LA County Launches Shop Local Campaign to Support Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

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LA County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and the Department of Economic Opportunity Call on Residents to Shop Local in honor of National Small Business Week

Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and the Department of Economic Opportunity launched the Shop Local LA County initiative on Saturday, kick-starting a regional campaign to encourage LA County residents to support small businesses and entrepreneurs by shopping locally. The Shop Local launch event, held at the historic Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles, is the first of several upcoming countywide pop-up experiences aimed at motivating residents to reinvest in local communities and helping small businesses modernize through digital upscale.

Through Shop Local LA County, small businesses can connect to a wide range of resources to support their digital and economic growth, including access to social media training, digital marketing support, coaching and more. By highlighting the vibrant and diverse range of businesses that LA County has to offer, Shop Local amplifies the critical role small businesses play in driving growth and job creation within local communities. The program offers incentives like gifts cards and prizes to residents who uplift their favorite businesses by sharing reviews on Yelp, Google, Twitter and Instagram, while encouraging residents to sign the Shop Local LA County pledge to gain access to unique programming events throughout the year.

“We are calling on LA County residents to Shop Local,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “By committing to shopping local, residents are reinvesting money back into their communities, and contributing to our economic recovery. Every little bit helps. To help make an impact, do your part today in supporting small businesses and local entrepreneurs.”

Shop Local aims to strengthen and support the economic recovery of 400 small businesses disproportionately affected by the pandemic especially within underserved communities. The program also aims to engage and encourage 100,000 LA County residents to take the pledge to support local businesses by shopping locally, sharing positive reviews online, and posting on social media what they love about their favorite local business using the #ShopLocalLA hashtag. Street team engagements, pop-up activations, and individual consultations are among the many ways Shop Local will engage and provide support to both local businesses and residents.

Grand Central Market is home to 40 local small business owners including several legacy vendors and families. Aside from the businesses permanently located at Grand Central, the market welcomes 25 new local makers and merchants from Friday through Sunday in the lower level Bazaar, creating a dedicated space to celebrate new cuisines, independent artists, and entrepreneurs.

The Shop Local launch event on Saturday at Grand Central Market kicked off National Small Business Week in LA County. To celebrate the contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs, DEO will be hosting a series of free local events all week long providing resources and activities such as business certifications, grant application support, and panel discussions including the first Los Angeles Regional Small Business Summit presented in partnership with the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office at the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College on May 3rd. The Summit brings together the region’s top free business resources, services, and programs all in one place. The event will include panel discussions, a resource expo with major public and private business support providers, on-site free services such as legal aid, consultations, procurements, and much more. Sign up for the summit here.

Visit www.shoplocal.la to learn more about Shop Local, and to access digital marketing training, calendar of events, social media support and other resources that will support business growth. DEO is encouraging small businesses to leverage free marketing Shop Local assets to contribute to the broader campaign to keep investments in local communities. Take the Shop Local pledge today and highlight your favorite small business on social media with the #ShopLocalLA hashtag to help others discover your favorite small business in LA County!