Christmas is coming up for those who celebrate the holiday, which means people are looking for the best deals and checking off items on their list of gifts for their loved ones. A lot of people turn to large retailers like Walmart and Amazon to find these presents, but what if there was a better option that supported folks in your community?

There are 243,932 small and local businesses in Iowa. When you buy locally, you’re benefiting the local economy, promoting a more personalized experienced and expanding the ever-growing need for community and connection.

“When a consumer buys local, significantly more of that money stays in the community,” according to entrepreneur.com. “In fact, one Chicago study found that for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 remained in the city while only $43 of each $100 spent at a chain retailer.”

Local businesses are able to provide a personalized experience by having more intimate spaces, smaller company sizes and being able to communicate with the owner easily and directly.

My last stated perk is the need for community and connection: local and small businesses provide a sense of community by hiring folks in the neighborhood, servicing people around the city and developing friendships and clientele through hard work and positive experiences.

I want to shine the spotlight on a local business in West Des Moines called Vital Skin Spa. Vital Skin Spa was created in October of 2018 by Iowa native Masa Alshash. Masa graduated from La’ James International College with a license in esthetics and has years of experience as an esthetician.

Her family previously ran Sahar’s Salon Day Spa and Boutique, but they decided to close with retirement and Masa decided to follow her dreams of opening her own company while utilizing the professional skills she possesses.

Vital Skin Spa is run and operated by such a brilliant and hardworking individual who wants nothing more than to share her skills and passion with others.

If you’re looking for a hydrating and rejuvenating gift for someone in your family or your friends, Alshash’s business offers gift certificates and an array of products and services to fix and reverse the harsh effects Iowa winters have on the skin.

Vital Skin Spa offers facials like the HydraFacial and the pumpkin spice facial along with microdermabrasion and professional peels. The list goes on, totaling to roughly 15 different facials that are offered. Vital Skin Spa also provides waxing services. 

This holiday season should benefit the ones you love while also benefiting local and small businesses throughout Iowa.

Spread the festive cheer by supporting your community and help Iowa’s economy. For additional local and small businesses to support around Iowa, simply type in a Google search for businesses near you or check out the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Directory.