Albuquerque Independent Business Alliance

In a recent board meeting, we were discussing how to attract (and keep) more members.  More members mean more benefits,  more power to affect public policy, and more opportunities for everyone (including bartering, job sharing, price considerations, referrals, etc. etc.)We're at about 270 right now, with the goal of 500 by the end of the year.

We were going up, down and around - talking about events, seminars, surveys, and so on.  Then, a voice of reason piped up (Thanks, Chris Chavez, board member).  "Buy local is more than AIBA.  It's ALL of Albuquerque...and New Mexico."

So right.  Certainly, we want to grow our membership, for all the reasons noted above. But, we also must be careful not to focus solely on the numbers.  And, we can't limit our mentality (or shopping habits) to just AIBA members.   We've got thousands of locally-owned, indie businesses that we should support, regardless of whether they're part of AIBA.  

"Buy Local" is much more than any one group's mantra or brand. It's a way of thinking, not simply shopping.  I picked up an "Eat Local" postcard in Savannah, which is now framed and hanging in my kitchen. And, I do my best to dine at locally owned places - from Slate Street Cafe (yes, a member) to Relish (once a member, hope they will be again) to El Norteno (not a member, Hello? Reading this, owners?) 

"Grow local" for me means buying from Los Poblanos (Hey, Farmer Monte, love your newsletters) and planting tomatoes, peppers and squash in my yard. Two families in my Snow Heights neighborhood have converted their entire front yards to beautiful gardens.   Speaking of gardens, I make the long crosstown trek to Plants of The Southwest (an AIBA member) as well as Osuna Nursery and Jackalope (neither are members.)

Of course, none of us can be 100% pure...yes, I shop at Target...and buy tomatoes from Smith's.  However, you can start somewhere.  As another blogger noted (sorry, I don't remember the link) - "pick three" to support.  Think of three locally-owned businesses you'd hate to lose. Support them.  Small actions quickly add up to big impact. 

Sure, we at AIBA would love to have thousands of members...but "Buy Local" is bigger than us, no matter how much AIBA grows.