Buying Local: Business to Business
May 25, 2021 | Community Development
The Economic Alliance aims to increase business-to-business local spending and throughout this year will feature the services of member businesses and the economic impact companies can have with their local spending decisions.
BizFitters owner Michael O’Donnell spent years working in large corporations before moving into the entrepreneurial space. It’s a decision he does not regret, especially in a year like 2020, where his team’s agility and creativity allowed his business to grow in unexpected ways.
“COVID-19 and the derecho forced us to think differently about the way we work, and the makeup of the team changed, in many ways for the better,” says O’Donnell, who bought the promotional products business nearly a decade ago. “I’d say we’re leaner and more focused.”
O’Donnell has high expectations for customer service because he sees many of his customers when he’s out and about in the community – at the grocery store or on the golf course. “It matters to me that our customers are satisfied,” he says. “You won’t find this same service at online businesses.”
The experience of running a business in Cedar Rapids has been positive for O’Donnell, in large part because residents appreciate local businesses and understand that a dollar spent locally is a dollar invested locally. O’Donnell hates to see local businesses close due to a lack of patronage.
“I don’t think we realize the full devastation that the pandemic has had,” he says. “I think we’ll miss some of the ones that have had to close, and hopefully, we’ll do more in the future to patronize the local businesses still open.”
If your business is looking for promotional products, consider buying with another Economic Alliance member and local business like BizFitters. Whether you are looking for a specific item or just browsing for ideas, BizFitters can be a one-stop source and your dollars spent here will stay and circulate within the community.
BizFitters
311 Third Ave. SE, Suite 225
Phone: 319-774-1701
Website: bizfitters.com