Monday, December 28, 2009

It matters where you spend...

I recently started a new gig working with a great start-up, shustir.com. As someone who has always had issues with large corporations, chain stores, and the like, I feel aligned morally with the mission of the site. The main focus and goal is to build, create and support an online small business community, like-minded consumers included, as well as offer virtual storefronts for the businesses that become members. Shustir wisely defines small business not only as companies but also entrepreneurs, self-employed people, freelancers, creative types, etc. Basically, for the type of person I, and many others of my generations and the next, have been our entire adult lifes.

It's a great idea which couldn't have come at a better time. Given the direct effect corporate America and big business have had recently on the economy worldwide, as well as on the general quality of life of the average American and world citizen (not to mention animal), it's pretty clear that there needs to be a major change. While my personal political views might call for more extreme and immediate measures, Shustir is a key part of a larger movement which can positively change the direction of things from within. By helping shift the national, and worldwide, consciousness towards supporting local businesses, choosing small business over large and seeking to work for oneself instead of for a corporation or big company, there is much that an entity like Shustir can accomplish.