Save Small Sacramento needs help to preserve the ‘lifeblood of the community’

When Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order went into effect in March, Brandon Brown noticed a huge difference between how his tech company and his wife Meagen’s beauty service adapted. Brown’s tech-based company, Grin, was able to fairly seamlessly go to working from home, keeping most of the staff working. His wife’s Mist Body Bar had to completely shut down during months that are usually among the busiest.

“I just got to thinking about how many businesses are in the same situation, that don’t have the good fortune to be able to work from home,” Brown said. “If you think about it, there are so many of these businesses that are affected by the Phase 3 rollout. Bars, restaurants, retail, salons, and all these things that can’t do curbside pickup. So that’s why we started Save Small Sacramento.”

Save Small Sacramento is an initiative to raise funds for businesses that are especially struggling.

“It’s not geared toward companies that can work from home. It’s really geared toward these companies that fall into the Phase 3 and Phase 4 of reopening in California,” Brown said.

Through their website, savesmallsac.com, the group is asking for donations through two different platforms. If you have a smaller donation to give, you will be directed to a GoFundMe page, where money can pool together to make a big difference. If you’re able to do a larger donation and would like a tax receipt, you are directed to Giving Fuel. Their goal is $100,000, to be given to area small businesses in amounts no greater than $5,000. As of noon Tuesday, the group raised nearly $9,000.

The intention is for those who have been less-affected by the pandemic to give a boost to as many businesses as possible.

“A lot of the businesses that make Sacramento so great, which to me are a lot of retail locations and service providers, are the places that give Sacramento its energy in midtown and downtown,” Brown said.

Brown has assembled a small team of local business leaders to work together to determine how funds are dispersed. They will look at each application to see what the businesses need the funds for, and whether they have been able to be helped by other programs.

“The goal for the committee will be to come together to figure out how to deploy the funds to maximize impact to the local economy for businesses that aren’t able to open in Phase 2,” he said.

Those that apply for smaller amounts will be given priority, so the most businesses are able to be helped.

“One of the reasons I love Sacramento is there is a lot of civic pride here,” Brown said. “I think this is a way for people to give back to their community.”

While donations are definitely a focus, Brown stressed that applications from businesses in need are just as important. Any affected smaller business with a retail location in Sacramento is welcome to apply on the Save Small Sacramento website for funds. Applicants will be asked a few questions and how much they’d like to receive.

Brown knows the money is not going to be enough to change someone’s life, but hopefully it will be a boost of confidence to keep going.

“There are other people in the community that care about you and want you to succeed,” he said. “Don’t shut it down, you can make it.

“Sacramento small businesses are really the lifeblood of the community and if you care about Sacramento and want to continue to have an awesome place to live, consider donating and spreading the word.”

This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 1:00 PM.