7 Easy Ways You Can Support Wisconsin Small Businesses

Wisconsin has always been built on community. From the family-owned supper clubs in the Northwoods to the independent boutiques anchoring downtown Milwaukee, small businesses are the backbone of what makes our state feel like home. But keeping them thriving takes more than good intentions — it takes consistent, deliberate support from the people who live and work here. Here are seven simple ways you can show up for Wisconsin small businesses all year long:

7 Ways to Support Small Businesses

1. Shop local 

Making it a point to visit and shop at local stores is one of the most direct ways we can invest in our communities. By choosing to buy locally, whether on Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward, along Madison's State Street or at a charming boutique in Appleton, you’re not only finding hidden gems that you couldn’t find at big-box stores, you’re also putting real dollars back into the neighborhoods we call home. Small businesses depend on consistent local support throughout the year and every purchase makes a genuine difference.

Pro Tip: Earn rewards or maximize cash back while you shop by spending with a credit card instead of a debit card. You can use these perks for a future vacation or large purchase. 

2. Attend events and markets

Wisconsin hosts a thriving calendar of farmers markets, craft fairs and community festivals year-round. From the Dane County Farmers' Market in Madison — one of the largest producers-only farmers markets in the country — to neighborhood street fairs and art walks throughout Milwaukee, these events are prime opportunities to discover new businesses and support local organizations. When we show up and make purchases, we directly impact their growth and long-term success.

3. Dine and cater at local restaurants

Wisconsin's culinary scene is as diverse and vibrant as its communities. Whether it's a casual family gathering, a family reunion party, wedding or a company event, choosing local restaurants (and other local vendors) keeps dollars circulating within our communities and supports the livelihoods of our neighbors. Many local Wisconsin restaurants also offer convenient catering and delivery options through Door Dash, Uber Eats and GrubHub, making it easy to champion small businesses when you’re hosting at home.

4. Purchase gift cards

Gift cards are a quick way you can support small businesses while gifting your friends and family a fun experience or unique gift. For small business owners, that upfront cash flow is a lifeline during slower seasons or unpredictable stretches, giving Wisconsin business owners the financial breathing room to pay staff, restock inventory and keep the lights on.

It's also worth thinking beyond the obvious. Beyond restaurants and retail, Wisconsin small businesses span fitness studios, breweries, pet groomers, bookstores, art galleries and more — all of which typically offer gift cards. Broadening where we spend those dollars means more of our community benefits. 

Pro Tip: Want to keep your budget in check? Use MyFinance Manager to track your spending in one place. Here you can manage your transactions and set spending limits to stay within your budget effortlessly. 

5. Follow and share on social media

When we like, comment on and share their posts, we help their content reach new audiences through the algorithm. Tagging a local business when we visit, posting a photo of a meal we loved or sharing a story about a great customer experience puts their name in front of our entire network, many of whom may not have known the business existed.

You can also search Wisconsin-specific hashtags like #ShopLocalWisconsin, #MKEeats or #MadisonWI to discover new businesses worth supporting — and then share what you find. 

6. Think local for business purchases, too

Supporting Wisconsin small businesses doesn't have to stop at our personal spending. If you own a business, manage a team or make purchasing decisions at work, choosing local vendors, suppliers and service providers over national chains or online giants to keep dollars circulating within our communities.

Need a catering order for a team lunch? Consider a locally owned restaurant instead of a national chain. Looking for branded merchandise, signage or print materials? A Wisconsin-based print shop or creative studio can likely deliver the same quality and the relationship we build with a local vendor often comes with a level of personalized service that a big-box provider can't match. The same logic applies to accountants, IT professionals, photographers, office supply vendors and beyond. 

7. Show up for the community

Sometimes the simplest acts of kindness carry the greatest weight. A few minutes spent writing an honest, positive online review on Google or Yelp can help a local business attract new customers and receive feedback that genuinely shapes how they grow. Face-to-face appreciation matters just as much — a sincere compliment to an owner or a thank-you to an employee can make someone's entire day.

But giving back can go even further than reviews and kind words. Many Wisconsin small businesses are deeply connected to local nonprofits, neighborhood organizations and community initiatives — and they often need volunteer support just as much as paying customers. Whether it's assisting with a local business association event or volunteering at a community fundraiser, showing up with our time sends a powerful message: That we're invested in their each other’s success.

Supporting Wisconsin small businesses is how we protect the character of our neighborhoods, sustain the livelihoods of our neighbors and keep Wisconsin's economy rooted in the people who built it. Whether we're grabbing lunch at a family-owned restaurant in Eau Claire or picking up a gift from a boutique in Wausau, the choice to shop and support locally is always one worth making.