Zeppelin Comics owners Natasha and Dan Curtis speak to Erica Adams (right) and Jenna Paulus of Small Business Revolution about the rewards and challenges of being a small business in Benicia.
Galen Kusic, Editor
Deluxe’s “Small Business Revolution” is improving towns and small businesses one step at a time.
Benicia made the Top 10 Towns list in Deluxe’s Small Business Revolution from thousands of nominations across the country. Benicia is now in the running to be featured in Season 5 of the Small Business Revolution, a TV series on Hulu, Prime Video, YouTube and www.smallbusinessrevolution.com.
“Needless to say, this would bring national exposure to our downtown and our tourism effort,” said Benicia Main Street in a release.
Small Business Revolution highlights marketing and business expertise for small businesses in one small town featuring marketing experts from Deluxe, led by Chief Brand & Content Officer, Amanda Brinkman, and co-host and renovation icon, Ty Pennington, as they provide business advice to selected entrepreneurs in the winning community. Season 4 is currently airing and features last year’s winner, Searcy, AR.
Small Business Revolution is dedicated toward helping small businesses and towns grow and thrive.
“This year, we had so many incredible nominations from small towns across the country,” said Brinkman. “We are always amazed how many people reach out to tell us why their town and businesses should win, and it really speaks to the work we’re doing for small businesses at Deluxe.”
When Brinkman began working at Deluxe, the company was looking to expand its reach and impact to help small businesses. They toured the country, serving 100 businesses to celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary. Building on that concept, Brinkman helped create Small Business Revolution, in which one small town receives $500,000 split between six small businesses to jump-start the city through expert marketing, advertising, remodeling and tips for smart financial business practices.
“We wanted to take it a step further,” said Brinkman. “We don’t just say we love small businesses, we are out showing it…We have an amazing team that makes it all happen.”
Deluxe team members are currently traveling to each of Top 10 communities to meet civic leaders, community members, interview business owners and learn more about how marketing expertise can benefit each community. Deluxe helps with logos, websites, marketing and improving the overall business aesthetic. Small Business Revolution gives business owners the tools and equipment to grow and succeed for the future and is filmed in an unprecedented documentary style.
From there, Deluxe will narrow the list to five towns eligible for a public vote in mid-Jan. to determine the winner. By late-Jan. the winning town will be announced. From Feb.-May business applications will open; and the Small Business Revolution team will select the businesses and get to work.
Deluxe’s Small Business Revolution team of Jenna Paulus (left) and Erica Adams check out Zeppelin Comics selection as co-owner Natasha Curtis shows off their extensive selection of comics and art at 929 First Street on Dec. 5.
Small Business Revolution has constructed parks, beautified downtown areas and even constructed a mini-ampitheater in last season’s show in Searcy.
“We work with town leaders to get community wish lists,” said Brinkman. “We leave it up to the town to invest in what makes the most sense.”
On Wed. and Thur. last week, Deluxe team members Jenna Paulus and Erica Adams visited Benicia and spoke to a wide array of businesses.
“Benicia has a diverse group of businesses,” said Paulus. “There are certain things we’re looking for. We are looking for how to make the most impact.”
They asked about what struggles businesses are facing and what goals each business has.
“We love it (Benicia). The people are so friendly. People know each other. We talked to quite a few businesses that would be good for the show,” said Adams. “We are trying to get a good sense for the community. They are so passionate about what they do.”
Both Paulus and Adams agreed that Benicia is picturesque, but noted it sounds like a lot of people don’t know about how much the town of nearly 30,000 has to offer. Small Business Revolution would undoubtedly provide a monumental boost.
“If you make it to the top five, the entire town needs to rally,” said Paulus. “Voting gets crazy. It’s a full time job.”
Brinkman explained that towns that make it into the final five need to be ready to use their network for the week-long vote. Individuals can vote once per day during the period. The votes are tallied at the end of the week.
“Votes can from near and far,” she said. “This is what’s so positive about it. You want to start telling people about this now because it takes a while to get people going.”
Even towns that haven’t won have created a buzz and inspired small businesses to thrive.
“We need your help keeping Benicia at the forefront of Small Business Revolution’s minds as they narrow down to the Top 5,” said Benicia Main Street. “If you are active on social media, please use hashtags #smallbusinessrevolution and #mybenicia so they can fall in love with our amazing town.”
The Small Business Revolution page on the Deluxe website has all of the updates and timelines for the upcoming season and will have all of the voting information come Jan. To watch previous seasons for free, visit Deluxe’s Small Business Revolution TV Show website at https://www.deluxe.com/small-business-revolution/main-street/season-five/
Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram @smallbusinessrevolution.
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