Written by Hannah Wise<\/p>\n
Searcy\u2019s newest downtown business, The Soda Jerk, opened July 15, 2018, and joined other Searcy small businesses in a collaboration of services and products.<\/p>\n
According to senior Marley Cole, graphic design major and the branding developer for The Soda Jerk, the business has been supported by the community since it was opened by owners Bill Milton and Angela Sivia, who knew they wanted community and sentiment to be at the forefront of their new business.<\/p>\n
The new ice cream shop was also welcomed by another community \u2014 a community of businesses supporting one another. One of their products, the Cold Brew Float, supports Kibo Midnight Oil Coffeehouse by using their products as an ingredient in the float.<\/p>\n
This \u2018undeclared small business network\u2019 is unique because they are not competitive with one another, according to Bill Ford, owner of Wild Sweet Williams. Ford said each business does what they do well together, no one trying to take business from one another.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of us want to see each other succeed. There is enough room in town for all of us as well,\u201d Ford said. \u201cI think everybody kind of has that view of wanting to be the changes they want to see.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amelia Brackett, owner of Savor + Sip, said the businesses also contribute to one another by sharing business information, exchanging contacts, giving advice, donating equipment, writing positive reviews and spreading the word about each other\u2019s businesses when the opportunities arise.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey just provided me with resources that I didn\u2019t even know I needed,\u201d Brackett said. \u201cIt has been like a team, not so much like we\u2019re all competing against each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Besides consistently purchasing products from one another, they all also honor \u201cthe neighbor discount,\u201d said Brandon Fox, owner of Burrito Day. The neighbor discount is one that gives certain surrounding businesses 10 percent off and is always available.<\/p>\n
Senior Katie Tracy works at Burrito Day, and she said Burrito Day also uses produce from Five Acre Farms in Bradford, Arkansas.<\/p>\n
Each business considers these benefits to be a courtesy between friends rather than a business deal with a desire to see the community grow and support each other along the way, according to Fox.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the biggest part is that all of us are interested in community,\u201d Fox said. \u201cIt\u2019s not just running a business and making money. It\u2019s about connecting with people and that being the bigger picture.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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