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Celebrating local businesses on International Small Business Week

Former Google Contributor

Local Guides have always done an incredible job of celebrating and supporting small businesses, on Google Maps and off. Your contributions help to keep these local businesses going at a time when they need it most.

 

We’re especially excited to highlight a handful of these local businesses around the world as well as resources for business owners in honor of International Small Business Week which kicks off this week and runs through June 27. International Small Business Week was designed to both celebrate small businesses and help them succeed online.

 

Read on to learn more about a handful of standout small businesses around the world:

 

Félix & Norton Cookies

Caption: A photo of a cookie bouquet from Felix & Norton Cookies.Caption: A photo of a cookie bouquet from Felix & Norton Cookies.

 

Félix & Norton Cookies has been in operation for 36 years, starting out as a cookie shop in suburban Montreal. It grew to 40 stores in the mid-90s but after some internal turmoil and changing market conditions, the company experienced serious financial challenges. A few years ago, the CEO Michael decided to relaunch the brand and put F&N back on the map. Now, they’ve started a Shopify store to sell online, launched Google ads, and as a result, not only have sales boomed, they're now able to reach customers across all of Canada.  

 

Ayla Beauty, United States

Caption: A photo of the outside of the Ayla Beauty storefront.Caption: A photo of the outside of the Ayla Beauty storefront.

 

Based in San Francisco, CA, fueled by her fascination with the science behind skincare, founder Dara Kennedy opened Ayla Beauty to create skincare products and regimens with non-toxic chemicals to help customers around the world feel beautiful. By using Google Ads, the Ayla Beauty team has been able to reach more customers and beauty collaborators globally.

 

Ethique, New Zealand

Caption: A photo of the outside of Ethique in New Zealand.Caption: A photo of the outside of Ethique in New Zealand.

We know Local Guides are passionate about sustainability and this brand is, too. Based in New Zealand, Ethique is a small business that creates plastic-free shampoo bars with eco-friendly packaging. They began experimenting with Google Ads to grow internationally and save more plastic by selling an environmentally friendly product. 

 

Bliss Gifts & Homewares

Caption: A photo of a doormat that says “Hello Sunshine” on display at Bliss Gifts & Homewares.Caption: A photo of a doormat that says “Hello Sunshine” on display at Bliss Gifts & Homewares.

 

Bliss Gifts & Homewares is a family owned & operated business, located in the town of Ulladulla in Australia. Against all odds, Bliss has been able to not only grow but flourish during multiple periods of uncertainty over the last year due to her business being online ensuring it's easy for her customers to connect with her when they're searching for what she sells. She was able to increase her business’ revenue by 50% in the wake of the Australian bushfires impacting her community. Today, 90% of her sales come from digital channels and in owner Melissa’s words, “online is our home now.”

 

This week we’re also celebrating small businesses via YouTube Small Biz Day on June 24, featuring resources for small businesses to get started on YouTube and a unique live shopping experience on YouTube featuring 20 small businesses across the U.S. and Canada. 

 

For those of you in the community who also own businesses, you can get help with your businesses this week and beyond. New free, online guides were recently launched on Google for Small Business, which package up simple steps a business can take to be successful online now. 


Reviewing and keeping information current on Google Maps is a key way that you all support small businesses. This week, you can also help us spread the word on social media by using #SmallBusinessWeek, #GrowTogether, and #GrowWithGoogle in your posts. To learn more ways you can give help to small businesses this week, click here.

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