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
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Completed Projects
Programs
Positioning Your Buy Local Organization (and your business) for Economic Uncertainty
Contributed article by Colin Murray As economic uncertainty looms, many local business owners are feeling anxious about the future—and for good reason. Experts are warning of a potential recession ahead, and history tells us when the economy tightens, small businesses...
Live Training: The Big Payoff of Shifting to Worker-Owned
Join us for this special live training May 13 & 20, 1:30pm CT • Only 12 Seats Available Considering transitioning out of your business? 67% of small business owners are over 56! That represents a tidal wave of transition in the next 20 years—often called the...
Marketing Idea: Declare Your Store a Tariff-Free Zone!
One of our LocalFirst Community members, Colin Murray, owner of Kylie's Gift Cottage and former director of Dane Buy Local, shared a clever idea to declare your business a "Tariff-Free Zone" It's an attention-grabbing way to position your store as a place where...
Tools we use: AI Platforms
I recently gave a speech at the SCORE Empower Summit thta included AI tools in marketing. In researching for my presentation, I developed a list of recommended AI platforms and their pros and cons. I thought this might be useful in your exploration of AI for your...
A Message From One Small Business Owner to Another
The politics of the day have called March 28 as a boycott big box and big corporations day. Politics aside, we thing every day should be a boycott big box and big corporations day! As we approach a time when consumer choices are under the spotlight, I want to take a...
The Power of Customer Connection
For many, the world is a little scarier these days. Personal connection is more important than ever as we find comfort in the gathering of friends and family. But customer connection is a superpower of small, local business. One of the many powerful assets we have as...
