Tough times for indie business

By Ms. Denise T.

We all know times are tough and the economy is pretty bleak. All of us are affected. Already, a handful of my friends have lost their jobs. Those are the direct effects of the most serious recession since, gulp, the Great Depression.

But we could-- and probably will-- lose so much more. When the economy tanks, it takes more than just our jobs and savings with it. We lose alternative voices, small businesses and many of the small leisure pursuits we enjoy. Here are only a few examples:

• Bitch Magazine, the feminist indie magazine that has been publishing for 12 years may go out of business. Not because of lack of dedication on the part of its 47,000 subscribers, but because the sad fact in publishing is that advertisers pay the bills. Ads pay for printing, distribution and staff salaries. What we actually pay to buy a magazine isn't a real reflection of the actual costs to produce it. If you don't believe me, just think of Domino. That magazine had almost 1 million subscribers, but it couldn't survive. Bitch said in September it needed to raise $40,000 to publish its October issue. No small task in these trying times.
• Alternative magazines have been closing left and right. Punk Planet, Kitchen Sink, and Clamor all have closed up shop. Craft, one of my new favorite magazines in recent years, has already suspended the print edition and moved to online only.
• Small businesses, including those cool mom-and-pop hipster retail shops, are suffering as well. This New York Times article about hip shops in Eagle Rock, California , illustrates some of the challenges. While the article does address neighborhood transformation, the underlying economic pressures are hitting all small business owners, coast to coast. Yes, more people--even hipsters-- are shopping at discount chains like Wal-Mart now that the economy has soured. We need stores that aren't chains.

Which brings me to the real issue. In these times,more than ever, we in the indie women's Internet community have to think about how and where we spend out money, what businesses we support and what kind of  world we want to work for. Think of this as election season. Every dollar you spend is a vote on what businesses and entities survive this recession. Do you want to wake up five years from now and find that only Wal-Mart survived? Or do you want a more diverse, interesting business landscape? If the answer is yes, use your money wisely. Every dollar counts. Every dollar is a vote. Who are you voting for?

Comments

[Joanna]

It is distressing that great, and necessary, magazines like Bitch are struggling to survive. I also loved Craft magazine, and I'm bummed that they aren't around in print anymore. I actually have the last issue sitting on the table next to me. Let's try to keep indie magazines and shops alive and well, so we can keep reading interesting articles and getting unique clothing!

[Lesley Ward]

SAD!!! I love Craft magazine! So long to Domino and Mary Engelbreit(don't hate, she had cool retro); "you were truly fun and inspiring!!"
Gals(and guys!), please keep the little people afloat, don't buy craft products at walmart(not worth the capitalization). Support small biz!
Be original.
xo