Remember Small, Think Big
‘Ma and Pa’ Businesses Mean Bread and Butter for Local Communities
As Thanksgiving draws near, I cannot help but think of people who have had an impact on my life, my business, and the greater community in which I live, for whom I am very thankful. Family and long-time personal friends quickly come to mind. Also, among the people most significant to me are many small business owners whose companies we at AMS Digital have had the privilege to serve, and who through close association have become my friends.
Following on the heels of Thanksgiving and Black Friday is Small Business Saturday, a day originally created by the marketing gurus at American Express to draw attention to the ma-and-pop businesses that depend on the Christmas shopping season to build up their bottom lines.
In highlighting the following small businesses we’re using the Small Business Saturday moniker, to remind you they are local, they are our neighbors, and they enhance our community. Their kids go to school here. Many on this list are not retailers, but they still enhance our community by providing needed products and services. When you support a locally-based small business, every dollar you spend stays in the community, recirculating on average seven times, supporting your local school, other local businesses, and the taxes that sustain the local infrastructure. That purchase you made at a big box store? The money was probably wired to a corporate bank in another state on the very same day.
Small businesses are almost always the biggest boosters of local projects. Whether it’s girl scout cookie sales, advertising in the theatre program, new uniforms for the band, supporting the local food shelf, or just giving to other local charities – small businesses are connected. Often, they are the very heart of the local community.
We’re highlighting a few of the small business friends we’ve worked for, and why we think they are special. We also share a few ways to support them – not just on Small Business Saturday but looking ahead. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read about them, and remember them in the future.
This Thanksgiving I am thankful for small businesses. What are you thankful for?
Stephen Henning
Director, AMS Digital Productions
Alexandria Smiles
Located in Alexandria, Minnesota, Dr. Erick Nolting and his care team offer high-quality, affordable dental services to their patients. By using comprehensive treatment plans, staying informed of new methods and practices, and utilizing the latest in dental technology, Alexandria Smiles is a dental care leader in the small business world.
Among the services they provide in-office, Dr. Nolting also donates dental work including check-ups, restorative and preventative work for veterans at Eagle’s Healing Nest in Sauk Centre. He also gives back to the community by hosting one-of-a-kind events for his clients and on winter weekends he even volunteers as a member of the Ski Patrol at Ande’s Tower Hills.
The best way you can support this small business is by caring for yourself. If you or someone you know is looking for a new dentist in the area, schedule an appointment with the team at Alexandria Smiles. They even have a special offer for new customers and their families!
Scott Davis Docks & Lifts
Based in Battle Lake, Scott Davis Docks & Lifts serves Otter Tail Lake, Battle Lake, and many other bodies of water in the surrounding area. Offering fast, efficient services for installing, moving, and storing watercraft equipment, they specialize in getting your equipment in and out of the water on time, every time.
In addition to their transportation and installation services, Scott Davis Docks & Lifts also specializes in storm recovery services. Living in Minnesota, storms can cause serious damage for lakeshore owners and their water equipment. Using a high-quality barge to retrieve docks, boats, and more, they go above and beyond to ensure that everything down to the insurance report is taken care of.
Support this small business in spring or fall: lakefront property owners in the Battle Lake/Otter Tail Lake Area who want professional help installing dock and lakefront equipment, make an appointment to work with Scott Davis Docks & Lifts!
JT Maui Designs
JT Maui Designs is an excellent example demonstrating that artists are small businesses too. Affordable, fun, and customized, the personalized jewelry is handmade for all members of the family — making excellent gifts for the upcoming holiday season!
Small businesses run by artists are great resources for finding unique gifts that are perfect for nearly any occasion. From specialized soaps to baked goods, paintings, pottery, and more, supporting small businesses run by artists benefits everyone involved, and supports the local economy.
Remember local artists when shopping for the holidays! Visit JT Maui on etsy for unique jewelry items. And remember there are plenty of other local artists and artisans that can be found both online and in person at local makers markets. To help support artists and their small businesses, browse the LRAC Artist Registry – a one-of-a-kind online tool that provides information and links to a large number of artists across the Lake Region. https://lrac4artists.org/browse
Area Lakes Party Rental
For anyone planning large-scale outdoor events like weddings, graduation parties, anniversaries, or family reunions Area Lakes Party Rentals can help make your day one to remember. Offering a wide variety of party rental equipment such as tables, outdoor tents, dance floors, sound equipment and more, planning an outdoor event has never been easier. Their clients even have the option of offering guests the use of portable luxury restrooms. This local family-owned business serves a wide swath of west central Minnesota, so definitely consider this venue for special events.
Support this small business - refer a friend! If you or someone you know happens to be planning a summer wedding, reunion, or party, refer Area Lakes Party Rentals for all their equipment needs. Now is the best time to begin planning next summer’s big event.
Past & Present Home Gallery
Located right in the downtown of Alexandria, Past & Present Home Gallery is a truly unique store with a wide selection of items that exude character. From vintage collectables and furniture to antiques and pieces made by local artisans, Past & Present has something for everyone.
Outside of their store, Past & Present is heavily involved in the local Alexandria Chamber. Owners Jeff and Lynelle have great respect for their community and work with other businesses in the area to help keep downtown Alexandria a magical place for tourists and residents alike. This care for their community has even been recognized by the Minnesota Retailer’s Association in 2020 when Past & Present Home Gallery received the ‘Customer Experience Champion” award.
Definitely a place to shop on Small Business Saturday, or any time of year! With 15,000 square feet filled with unique antiques, retro and nostalgic items, locally handmade items both large and small - this is the place to find some truly unique gifts for those hard-to-shop-for people on your holiday gift list. Next time you’re in the neighborhood or simply on the hunt for something special, stop in to browse and you might just find the perfect treasure!
Schjenken Cabinets
https://schjenken.com/
A quintessential small (and very busy) business, Schjenken Cabinets delivers quality with a capital Q. They specialize in transforming any space into the one of your dreams with custom cabinets, counters, other hand-crafted woodwork made with pride and built from grade-A materials. Custom designed, built, and installed, the Schjenken professionals strive to deliver only the highest quality of projects.
Support this small business with a referral. Small Business Saturday, or any time. If you or someone you know is planning to build a new home or remodel their current living/working space, contact the professionals at Schjenken Cabinets to make your dream vision come true. The more lead time the better the planning for a successful project, so be sure to set up a consultation with Dave Schjenken soon.
Shaa Construction
Since 2006, Shaa Construction has been building residential properties from the ground up throughout the Alexandria Lakes Area. No matter how detailed or how basic the concept, they will manage every step of the building process from start to finish, and eliminate the stress that accompanies new buildings, renovations, or other home additions. Just watch the video, and listen to what their customers have to say!
When not on the job site Justin Anderson (General Contractor, Shaa Construction) is very passionate about the greater community, too. He is very engaged in the local Best Christmas Ever Committee, whose mission is to make the holidays possible for area residents that are facing a bleak upcoming holiday. Ask him about some of the area residents this local charity has helped; it is very obvious how much he cares.
(Another fun fact about Justin: he loves to race! If you like to watch the races at Viking Speedway, you’ve probably seen him on the track.)
Referrals help this small business, too. Need help with an upcoming home build or renovation? Call Justin early, to ensure the planning for a final project that exceeds all expectations.
Lind Family Funeral & Cremation Services
Losing a loved one is never easy. The loss of a loved one can leave you with a lot of unanswered questions, feelings of stress and anxiety and grief that makes events difficult to handle. The experienced funeral directors at Lind Family Funeral & Cremation Services will guide you through the aspects of the funeral service with compassion, dignity and respect. From casket choices to funeral flowers, the funeral directors at Lind Family Funeral & Cremation Services provide individualized funeral services designed to meet the needs of each family.
This unique family-owned business includes four licensed funeral directors from two generations of the same family. Curt and Barb Lind live and work from the funeral home in Alexandria, and Peter and Sari Lind live in the Parkers Prairie funeral home.
As shown in the video above, the Linds take great pride in honoring veterans. The Linds go above and beyond to ensure that veterans’ final farewells honor their lives and the great commitments they’ve made for our country.
We hope you don’t need their services on Small Business Saturday. If and when you do, we hope you’ll remember the careful attention to detail and caring service you’ll receive from a locally owned small business, especially one where the person helping you has the same name as the name on the door.
Here are some other articles you may enjoy reading:
“Small Businesses Make Better Communities”
Why do we celebrate National Small Business Week? Take a look at these local small businesses and consider the positive impacts they have on their communities.
“Thankful for the Invisible Work of Others”
Agency creative director Stephen Henning reflects on how nonprofits give to our community, and highlights a few nonprofit organizations that we have worked with recently.
“How to Connect to Your Audience”
If you’re struggling to make an influence on your viewers, video is one of the best tools for the small businessman.