Written by: Erica Reynolds, CEO and Co-Founder of Hollie Ray When you think about how many small businesses surround you in your everyday life, it’s pretty incredible. Every storefront you pass represents years of dreaming, planning, risk-taking, late nights, early mornings, and a whole lot of heart. Yet, so many shoppers still default to big box stores or online giants without considering what their local small businesses offer — and what’s at stake when they’re overlooked.