"Contrary to popular ""belief,"" ""small,"" locally-owned businesses often out-perform their ""big"" ""box"" and Fortune 500 ""competition,"" both in outright profitability and the value they bring to ""consumers,"" ""workers,"" and communities. These businesses stimulate the economy by buying supplies and services ""locally,"" and stick around for many years. Shuman details dozens of specific strategies small and home-based businesses are using to successfully out-compete the world's largest ""companies,"" and shows how ""consumers,"" ""investors,"" ""policymakers,"" and organizers can revitalize their own communities by supporting local businesses."