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In today’s crowded digital world, generic content and expertise alone no longer capture attention. With AI leveling the playing field, traditional signals of authority and trust have faded. To stand out, businesses must embrace what consumers crave most: authenticity.

• Share your unique story and values
• Call on customers to share their stories working with you
• Be vocal about your values and brand enemy
• Connect directly with your audience
• Know your narrative

Your reason for starting your business will distinguish you more than any quick tip. Authentic stories, not regurgitated information, are the key to success in today’s social media landscape.

– PJ Silva, Silva Studio (article submitted by The New Orleans Chamber of Commerce), The New Orleans 100

September in Oklahoma promises a wide variety of events to kick off the fall season.

The Oklahoma State Fair returns (Sept. 11-21), offering a mix of agricultural exhibits, carnival rides and live entertainment at one of the top State Fairs in North America.

Music fans have a packed schedule with a range of concerts across the state, from Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (Sept. 28) to Lil Wayne (Sept. 22).

Art and culture are also on display, with the “Florigami in the Garden” exhibit (through Sept. 21) at the Tulsa Botanic Garden and the “First Friday OKPOP-In” (Sept. 5) at the OKPOP Museum.

– Staff report with AI assist**As a company focused on innovative tools to build community, we embrace AI as an editorial resource to help us create relevant content. Every article is reviewed and modified by one of our editors to ensure accuracy.

July is packed with BBQs, fireworks and family vacations – but it’s also Independent Retailer Month, a global initiative with a powerful local impact. This month-long celebration is all about recognizing the small businesses that bring heart, soul and unique character to our communities.

From the cozy corner bookstore where they know your name to the family-run gift basket shop, independent retailers are the heartbeat of every town. These aren’t just shops. They’re dreams that took courage. They’re families pouring their hearts into every product. They’re the faces you recognize at your kid’s ball games, and oftentimes, they’re even your neighbors.

Independent Retailer Month is a chance to slow down and truly value the businesses that make our towns unique and our communities stronger. They create jobs, support schools, donate to local causes and keep more money circulating locally than any chain ever could.

Every time you shop at a locally-owned business, you’re doing more than just checking something off your list – you’re investing in your community.

Checkout these stats: Nearly $70 of every $100 spent at a local, independent business stays in the local economy. That means your dollars don’t just disappear into a corporate account – they go right back into: Local wages that help your neighbors pay their bills, support their families and spend in turn at other local businesses. Community improvements like parks, schools, libraries and events that make your city or town a better place to live. Charitable causes, since small businesses are among the biggest supporters of local fundraisers, sports teams and nonprofits. Small business growth, which means more jobs, more innovation and more one-of-a-kind places to shop and explore.

By contrast, when you spend the same amount at a national chain or big-box store, only about $43 stays in your community. So, whether you’re grabbing a latte, buying a handmade candle from the farmers market or buying a locally curated gift basket for a friend, that choice matters more than you might think.

How can you celebrate the Little Guy?

This July, support your favorite small shops by: Sharing a smile through purchasing a locally made gift basket or flower arrangement for a friend. Treating yourself to a cool libation at your local café. Shopping at the local markets or street fairs. Sharing and promoting your favorite small businesses on social media.

Even better? Get to know the faces behind the counter – the makers, dreamers and entrepreneurs who make your city feel like home.

Shop small. Celebrate big. And let’s keep the local love going all year long.

– Staff report, The Houston 100