Can You Name 5 Small Businesses In Your Neighborhood?

I paused for a moment to think and realized I couldn’t answer the question. I could vaguely recall a tailor shop, a couple of convenience stores, and maybe a boutique, but I didn’t know their names or what they offered. Even when I searched on Google, I couldn’t find complete information about what they sold or whether they were still open. Curious, I took a walk around my town to get a better look. Of course, there were dozens of small businesses, many I had never noticed before. What stood out to me was clear: local businesses suffer from a lack of visibility. And it’s not by accident. Big e-commerce platforms have captured our attention and our spending, with the convenience of purchasing items right from our phones. Meanwhile, small businesses are left behind. Not because they lack quality, but because we as locals don’t know what’s available around them.

One business owner told me, “I struggle to attract the right customers. I’ve tried advertising and online marketing, but the consultations are expensive, and the results just haven’t worked.”

When local businesses fade, the impact ripples outward. Jobs disappear. Storefronts shut down. Neighborhoods lose their energy and identity. And every time someone orders online instead of shopping nearby, money leaves the community — and it often doesn’t return.

That’s why we built Around.

Around is a marketplace that connects locals to businesses right in their neighborhood. It helps small business owners get discovered, attract customers, and grow—without needing to be tech experts.

Whether it’s a florist, a dog groomer, a party planner, a hardware store, a record store, or a local repair shop, Around gives them a place to be visible. And for customers, it’s just as easy as shopping on Uber Eats or Amazon, but local and delivered in minutes.

Our mission is clear: make the local visible and boost local economies.

When people shop locally, they do more than make a purchase, they strengthen their communities. They reduce environmental impact, preserve local jobs, keep money circulating in their neighborhoods, and support real people doing what they love. Around makes that easier, without sacrificing speed, convenience, or quality.

We’re solving a real problem: small businesses don’t have a place to promote themselves where local customers are looking. And people need a real alternative to big e-commerce platforms, especially when they want something fast, personal, or one-of-a-kind.

After speaking with dozens of small business owners, one thing is clear: they’re proud of what they offer, but they need help being seen.

Around is our solution.
It’s not just an app, it’s a way to bring communities together and discover what’s nearby.

So the next time you need something, look Around.