New Campaign Spotlights Connecticut Small Businesses

The state has launched a campaign using social media influencers to highlight Connecticut’s small businesses and encourage residents to support them.

“Thousands of our small businesses got even more creative and stepped up during the pandemic to keep delivering quality products and services and keep our economy moving,” said Gov. Ned Lamont. “It’s our turn as a state to step up for them.”

The Do Your Thing CT! campaign encourages consumers to post videos and pictures with the hashtag #Do Your Thing CT when they visit restaurants, shops, or other unique services in the state. 

As scrolling through social media becomes an everyday activity for so many, officials hope the involvement will give Connecticut’s 80,000 small businesses a boost. 

“This campaign engages with entrepreneurs throughout the state in a way we’ve never done before—showcasing everything they do in the community that makes our state so special,” explained Lamont. 

The state launched a website as part of the campaign to feature videos about small businesses partnering with influencers.

‘Entrepreneurial Spirit’

“What I discovered when I moved to Connecticut was how much true diversity, entrepreneurial spirit, history, and joie de vivre exist in nearly every corner of this beautiful state,” said lifestyle blogger and actress Eva Amurri. 

As part of the campaign, the Connecticut resident is sharing her favorite small business spots in a series of videos and posts on her Happily Eva After blog. 

More than 600,000 people are employed by Connecticut small businesses, making up about 46% of the workforce. 

Maribel La Luz, the Department of Economic and Community Development’s director of external affairs, said it is time to help the businesses who have faced countless pandemic-related challenges. 

“This campaign shines a light on that and asks residents to support those businesses that have been there for us this whole time,” explained La Luz.

The campaign will run through October.