Small businesses survive with support from their communities, Chicago's Next Voices columnist writes
When I was a graduate student at Columbia College Chicago, studying entrepreneurship for creatives, our biggest assignment was to make a pitch for a new business.
My idea was a small company that specialized in digital media services, combining my love of writing, production and other forms of content creation.
I graduated in 2022, and I still plan to start that business one day. It’s a dream to be one of the thousands of small businesses that fuel the city’s economy, but I realized I needed to do my part and support local businesses now.
Growing up in Chicago, I always had plenty of places to shop and services to choose from, but I never really thought about whether a business was family owned or independent.
It became a habit to shop at national chains because they were the cheapest options. This includes using repair services at well-known companies rather than searching for an independent service provider. Recently, I realized I was becoming a part of a bigger problem. One that is hurting local businesses.
In 2024, UIC Business, in partnership with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, conducted a study of small businesses in the Chicago metropolitan area. More than 200 companies across various industries completed a survey that asked about their concerns, outlook and performance.
The results in the "expectation of business performance" section showed that many expected their businesses to perform about the same in the next 12 months. However, UIC Business' 2025 survey shows a decline in performance confidence, dropping from 71% to 49%.
One hundred and forty-eight businesses participated in the 2025 survey, many of which were service-based. Fifty-seven percent said they would improve existing products or services as their specific growth strategy, with increased marketing and promotion, and adding new products or services.
Mandy Carpenter, a Chicago event planner/stylist who founded ARK Event Styling in 2015, changed her pricing and expanded her services to help her business grow after a drop in clients during the pandemic.
“The biggest challenge my business faced was a sharp decline in clients as event planning and styling became financially out of reach for many families and organizations. While the desire to gather and celebrate remained, budgets were tighter, and priorities had shifted,” she said. “ARK responded by adjusting pricing, creating flexible service options and even bartering services to support clients who still wanted meaningful moments. That shift allowed us to stay in business while staying connected to the community we serve.”
Small business owners are finding ways to grow and adjust, and I’ll do my part as a Chicagoan and use my favorite phrase, "Put your money where your mouth is."
I’ve made a 12-month plan to buy from a different local business or try a new service. I started with a pair of earrings from Lindsay Lewis Jewelry in Humboldt Park, and each month will have a theme. For example, in February I’ll look for a Black-owned business, in March a woman-owned one, and in April, something eco-friendly for Earth Day.
I plan to use local Chamber of Commerce websites and social media to find more businesses. Then, I’ll recommend my favorites to friends and family and share my experiences online to help spread the word.