A Fountaindale resident has launched Spend With Us, a new online directory and marketplace for small businesses in rural areas that have been impacted by the bushfires and drought.
Spend With Us provides a platform for small business owners to have access to a free website to tell their story, promote their business or services and to accept online payments.
Founder and creator, Sarah Britz, said she came up with the idea for Spend With Us after realising that many small business owners impacted by these ongoing issues didn’t have the know how, time or money to create an online presence.
Britz was also aware that people who don’t use social media were missing out on being able to find and support many businesses.
Living on a rural property herself, and after some fire scares of her own when the Coast was battling its bushfires, Britz wanted to help those less fortunate using her skills and knowledge and give back to the community as best as she could.
“Once I started speaking with business owners who were unsure how they would be able to pay their rent or staff, due to the complete lack of tourism trade, which these towns rely on so heavily during the summer months, I knew I had to do something to help.
“I would love for this site to be able to make a difference to every small business that is suffering within these communities,” she said.
According to Britz, Spend With Us functions as an online marketplace where businesses and service providers can list their wares and connect with new customers.
The site also has convenient methods for customers to donate to drought and bushfire relief efforts and is already connecting people Australia wide.
“Spend With Us provides an online marketplace for rural and regional Australian sellers and service providers to promote their small businesses with the wider community.
“All communication is done directly between the seller and buyer, Spend With Us just provides the platform to connect.
“Browse stores, products, accommodation, places to visit and more.
“Support Australian bushfire and drought affected communities and buy ‘pay it forward’ virtual gifts, which the business may pass on to a local in need,” Britz said.
Source:
Media release, Jan 31
Kathryn Price, Ruby PR
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