03/16/2026
I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately.
Small businesses are disappearing quietly, almost like rain drying up after a sunny day. One by one, they close their doors; places that were once part of the fabric of a community.
Last year, a competitor called me to see if we would buy his store because he was closing after almost 15 years in business. That moment stuck with me. It made me realize how fragile small businesses have become.
I’ve been fighting to keep our doors open for 10 years. And honestly, some days it feels harder now than it did during COVID.
I understand why people shop online. Life is busy. Many people are stretching every dollar. It’s easy and convenient to order from home.
But small businesses are about more than convenience.
We are the people who answer the phone when someone is worried about their health.
We are the ones who spend extra time making sure a product truly helps someone live better. We are the neighbors who support local causes and care about the people walking through our doors.
We’re not just businesses.
We’re part of the community.
If small businesses disappear, something important disappears with them; the human connection that makes communities feel alive.
I’m still here. Still fighting. Still believing that integrity and compassion matter in business.
And I truly hope communities everywhere remember why small businesses are worth supporting.
HealthQuest, Inc.
