What does the
Local Business Institute do?
Part think tank, part school, part national leadership, part training ground for local leadership, the Institute is home to local leaders from across the country. Through online and on-demand programs, special projects, distance learning, virtual and live conferences, lectures and events, we work to foster local, national and even global conversations around entrepreneurship and local economies. We bring substantial resources to entrepreneurs of all ages and stages.
Get involved!
Take the Live Local Pledge
Join the LocalFirst Community
Take essential training with a Business Bundle on the LBI Virtual Campus
At the Local Business Institute, we don’t talk about business as B to B or B to C. We talk about small, local business as H2H—Human to Human—because all small business is humans helping other humans. It’s why we all do what we do.
Our belief in local business goes even deeper. Read more.
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Completed Projects
Programs
How to Help Your Local Government Stop Buying from Amazon, Save Money, and Support Local Business
You're invited! Friday, February 13, 2026, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. ET Join the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) on Friday, February 13th, 2026, for a virtual briefing on Amazon’s growing capture of your local public dollars — and what you can do about it. ILSR’s...
Growth Doesn’t Come From Doing More, It Comes From Thinking Differently
Growth doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from thinking differently. A Fresh Way to See Your Business — and Find New Growth Do you ever feel like your business has more potential than you’re currently tapping into? You’re not alone — and that’s exactly what our...
Growth Doesn’t Come From Doing More, It Comes From Thinking Differently
Growth doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from thinking differently. A Fresh Way to See Your Business — and Find New Growth Do you ever feel like your business has more potential than you’re currently tapping into? You’re not alone — and that’s exactly what our...
Purpose at the Center: Building a Business That Truly Makes a Difference
Purpose at the Center Building a Business That Truly Makes a Difference It’s a new year and a new start. A chance to change things with a new approach. An opportunity to do things a little differently in 2026. I’ve been pondering the growth of business with purpose or...
Special Announcement from ILSR
As our readers know, LBI works with several other national organizations doing great work in advocacy and other crucial issues. One of the most amazing organizations is the Institute for Local Self Reliance (ILSR). While you're running your business (Great Job by the...
What Does it Mean to Live Local?
No doubt you’re thinking what a silly question! I am alive in a location, how can I live otherwise? Au contraire! Living local means you embrace your local community in every way possible. It is a choice. Of course Shop Local is at the forefront of living local....
