Small support. Big Impact

If you’ve been around me for any length of time, then no doubt you’ve heard me share one of my favorite video clips on leadership, momentum, and human behavior.

Lone Nut – or Fearless Leader?

I call it ‘The Dancing Guy’ video, but Derek Sivers, who shares his insight along with the clip, titles it “Leadership Lessons from Dancing Guy” and later as a TED Talk, “First Follower: How To Start a Movement”. Watch:

The video speaks for itself and needs no further commentary. But the question I want to ask then is,

“Who do you identify with in the video?”

Are you the Lone Nut, First Follower, First Follower’s Friends, or part of the FOMO herd? I’m guessing that maybe we’ve all experienced being in each one of those roles at some point in our lives.

Right now, Sonshine Surf Co – and tens of thousands of other small businesses – are the lone nuts dancing erratically in the shadow of corporate behemoths among a sea of indifferent onlookers and sneering gawkers. Some have even pulled up a chair and grabbed their popcorn to watch the ‘dumpster fire’ fizzle out.

But we also know our First Followers are out there.

You believe in what we’re doing, our message, and what we stand for. Our values together align with scripture and you realize that our world desperately needs to hear – and see – this good news in such a dark hour.

Yes, it’s risky and maybe even costly to stick your reputation and resources out on the line. But you show up and cheer us on. We see you.

And we appreciate you immensely!

Put your money where your heart is

This Christmas, if you’re one to celebrate the birth and coming of Christ Jesus into the world as the magi did – through the giving of gifts, then consider supporting a small business like ours. Take heart in knowing that your resources are going towards promoting values you hold dear, rather than funding the causes that seek to silence and marginalize your beliefs.

It may seem like a small thing, but never underestimate the great impact felt when many individuals choose to support small businesses.

A time to act

Since we love the letter ‘S’, here are 3 ways that you can support SSC and other likeminded small businesses…

• SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter or posts. It might seem like a small thing, but a large subscriber base that regularly interacts with a website sends strong signals to search engines. This helps businesses rise closer to the top of search results.
• SHOP! Of course, this one’s a no-brainer. A business needs profitable revenue to remain sustainable. The startup phase is often a steep upward climb with costs & prices initially on the higher side. But the goal is to grow to a point where operational efficiency and volume pricing lead to greater savings for our customers. This leads to the 3rd ‘S’…
• SHARE. Share links to our products, posts, and website. Share your experience (hopefully positive!) shopping Sonshine Surf Co and share the fresh new merch you just got! In other words, be the Lone Nut in your own sphere of influence.

Sharing

In closing, I’ll share pics of some new merch that just arrived, along with a flyer for a small business event (sponsored by Symons Fire Protection) that Sonshine Surf Co will be a part of.

If you’re in the San Diego area this Saturday, Dec 2 then we’d love for you to drop by, say hello, and support other small businesses – like Chosen Craft Co – who will be right there next to me.

Until then…

Live Life In The Son