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Report on the Contribution of Small Local Enterprises to Sustainable Development Goals: A Case Study of Fischberger’s Variety

This report analyzes the role of small, locally-owned businesses in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using Fischberger’s Variety, a retail store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a case study. The analysis demonstrates how such enterprises contribute significantly to local economic growth, community resilience, and gender equality.

Fostering Decent Work and Inclusive Economic Growth (SDG 8)

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are critical drivers for achieving SDG 8, which promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. The case of Fischberger’s Variety exemplifies this principle at a micro-level.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

• Fischberger’s Variety, a neighborhood store established for 19 years, projects gross sales exceeding $500,000, demonstrating the financial viability of local enterprises.
• In Wisconsin, SMEs represent a significant portion of the economy, aligning with SDG Target 8.3 to promote entrepreneurship and the growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises.
  1. Small businesses constitute 99% of all businesses in the state.
  2. They are responsible for 48% of the state’s overall employment.
• The economic value of local businesses extends beyond direct revenue through a powerful recirculation effect. As noted by the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp. (WWBIC), earnings are funneled back into the community through rent paid to local landlords and wages for local employees, strengthening the local economic base.

Building Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)

The establishment and operation of Fischberger’s Variety directly support SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The business was founded to address a lack of local commercial infrastructure and enhance the community fabric.

Enhancing Community Cohesion and Social Fabric

• The store was created to provide a family-friendly destination, contributing to a walkable, vibrant neighborhood and fostering a sense of community.
• By serving a customer base ranging “from babies to grandparents,” the business acts as an inclusive social hub, strengthening intergenerational community ties.
• The presence of such local enterprises helps maintain the unique character and social integrity of a neighborhood, preventing the homogenization often associated with large-scale retail chains.

Advancing Gender Equality (SDG 5)

The case study highlights the crucial role of women entrepreneurs in the economy, a key component of SDG 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Empowerment Through Female Entrepreneurship

• Fischberger’s Variety is owned and operated by a woman, Sarah Fischer, who actualized her entrepreneurial vision to serve her community.
• The support ecosystem for such businesses is vital. The WWBIC focuses on the economic needs of women-owned businesses, underscoring a systemic approach to achieving SDG Target 5.5 (ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership).
• Statistical data for Wisconsin further illustrates this impact:
  1. There are 179,000 women-owned small enterprises throughout the state.
  2. Milwaukee County is home to approximately 62,000 non-employer establishments, many of which are owner-operated by women.

Promoting Responsible Consumption and Economic Resilience (SDG 12 & SDG 10)

Local businesses navigate complex global economic pressures while striving to serve their communities, reflecting principles of responsible consumption (SDG 12) and reducing inequalities (SDG 10).

Challenges and Sustainable Business Practices

• Supply Chain Disruptions: The impact of international tariffs on imported goods illustrates the vulnerability of small businesses to global trade policies. A planned product’s retail price would have doubled from $12 to $24, making it inaccessible for the store’s low-to-moderate income clientele.
• Commitment to Economic Inclusion: In response to economic pressures, the owner adjusted markups on multiple items to ensure affordability. This strategy directly addresses the needs of the local population and contributes to reducing economic inequalities (SDG 10).
• Resilience Strategies: The business demonstrates key strategies for sustainable operation in a volatile economic climate.
  1. Flexibility and adaptation to changing market conditions.
  2. A strong focus on customer service and meeting community needs.
• Supporting local businesses is presented as a form of responsible consumption, where consumers invest in the “dreams” of entrepreneurs and the overall well-being of their community.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

Detailed Explanations

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   The article focuses heavily on the role of small businesses in creating local economic value and employment. It highlights how Fischberger’s Variety contributes to the local economy with gross sales projected to top $500,000 and discusses the broader impact of small businesses, which “make up 99% of all business in Wisconsin and account for 48% of overall employment.” This directly relates to promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and productive employment.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   The article specifically emphasizes women’s entrepreneurship. The central figure, Sarah Fischer, is a female business owner. Furthermore, it quotes Kathryn Dunn, the president of the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp. (WWBIC), an organization that “serves the professional development and economic needs of women-owned small business statewide.” The mention that “women-owned businesses… account for 179,000 small enterprises throughout the state” directly connects the article’s themes to achieving gender equality and empowering women economically.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   The origin of Fischer’s business is rooted in community development. She started her store because the Riverwest neighborhood “lacked the kind of businesses she felt a young family could visit while going for an afternoon walk.” Her goal was to “contribute to an environment where people can live their lives” and create a “neighborhood destination.” The article also notes that shopping locally “helps keep the social fabric of the community whole,” which aligns with the goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   The article touches upon economic inclusion and serving diverse income levels. Sarah Fischer consciously makes business decisions to cater to her “low-to-moderate income clientele.” For example, she decided against selling an expensive product because the tariff-inflated price was “too much for her low-to-moderate income clientele to manage.” This action demonstrates a commitment to reducing economic inequalities by ensuring goods are accessible to people in her community.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Detailed Explanations

• Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.

  The entire article is a case study for this target. It showcases the creation and success of a small enterprise (Fischberger’s Variety) and discusses the collective importance of small businesses for the state’s economy. The work of WWBIC in supporting women entrepreneurs is a direct example of encouraging the growth of small enterprises.

• Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

  The article highlights women in economic leadership roles. Sarah Fischer is an owner-operator of a successful business, and Kathryn Dunn is the president and chief visionary officer of a major statewide business initiative. The statistic about 179,000 women-owned businesses in Wisconsin further supports the theme of women’s participation and leadership in economic life.

• Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.

  Fischer’s motivation to start her business was a direct response to a perceived gap in her neighborhood’s commercial and social infrastructure. Her effort represents a grassroots, participatory approach to improving the community, making it more sustainable and livable for families, thus enhancing the urban environment.

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… economic or other status.

  Fischer’s business practices, such as “reducing the markup on multiple items both to increase sales and meet her customers’ needs,” directly address the economic inclusion of her “low-to-moderate income clientele.” This shows a conscious effort to ensure her business is accessible to people of different economic statuses within the community.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Detailed Explanations

1. Quantitative Indicators:

   • Proportion of small businesses: The article states that “small businesses make up 99% of all business in Wisconsin.” This is a direct indicator of the prevalence of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
   • Employment in small businesses: The fact that small businesses “account for 48% of overall employment” is a key indicator of their contribution to decent work and economic growth (SDG 8).
   • Number of women-owned businesses: The statistic that there are “179,000 small enterprises throughout the state” owned by women is a clear indicator for measuring women’s economic participation (SDG 5).
   • Business revenue: The mention that Fischer’s store’s gross sales “will top $500,000” serves as a micro-level indicator of the economic viability of a small, woman-owned business.

2. Qualitative/Implied Indicators:

   • Recirculation of local earnings: The article describes how “small business earnings… funnel back into the community” as shop owners pay local rent and wages. This is an implied indicator of strengthened local economies and sustainable community development (SDG 11).
   • Community social fabric: The statement that shopping locally “helps keep the social fabric of the community whole” is a qualitative indicator of progress towards building inclusive and cohesive communities (SDG 11).
   • Accessibility for lower-income groups: Fischer’s decision to adjust pricing to “meet her customers’ needs” is a qualitative indicator of a business promoting economic inclusion (SDG 10).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: shepherdexpress.com