Prime Day Challenge: One Amazon Purchase, One Local Purchase

Prime Days are here, and let's be honest...most of us will probably buy something from Amazon.

I get it.

The convenience is hard to beat. A few clicks, fast shipping, competitive pricing, and your package magically appears on your doorstep. I'm not here to tell anyone to cancel their Prime membership or swear off Amazon forever.

But I am asking you to think about the impact of where your dollars go.

As someone who spent nearly two decades running a small business in New Jersey, I've seen firsthand how challenging it has become for local businesses to survive. The costs of goods continue to rise. Rent keeps increasing. Insurance premiums are higher than ever. Payroll costs have gone up. Utilities, marketing, credit card processing fees, supplies-everything costs more.

Meanwhile, small business owners are trying to keep prices reasonable while competing against giant corporations with resources most independent businesses could never imagine.

Every day, local business owners are making difficult decisions. Can they afford another employee? Should they cut back their hours? Can they absorb another increase from a supplier? Will they make enough this month to cover expenses?

These aren't questions Amazon has to worry about.

Your local bookstore, coffee shop, florist, boutique, deli, gift shop, hardware store, and restaurant do.

That's why I'm proposing a simple challenge this Prime Day:

For every purchase you make on Amazon, make one purchase from a local business.

It doesn't have to cost the same amount.

Bought headphones on Amazon? Grab your morning coffee from a local café.

Ordered household supplies? Pick up a gift, candle, or greeting card from a neighborhood shop.

Purchased a new kitchen gadget? Have dinner at a locally owned restaurant.

The goal isn't perfection. The goal is balance.

Imagine if thousands of people made just one extra local purchase this month. That money stays in our communities. It helps pay local employees. It supports youth sports teams, school fundraisers, community events, and charitable organizations. It helps keep our downtowns vibrant and our neighborhoods unique.

Every dollar spent locally creates a ripple effect that benefits the entire community.

Amazon isn't going away. But many small businesses might if we don't support them.

This Prime Day, enjoy the convenience if you choose. Then take a few minutes to visit a local business, leave a positive review, buy a gift card, order lunch, or make a purchase you might have otherwise made online.

Small businesses aren't asking for all of your spending.

They're simply asking for a fair share of it.

Who's willing to take the Prime Day Challenge?

Comment below with your favorite local business, and let's create a community-wide shopping guide for Prime Day week.