I'm trying to understand the mentality that says i will go out and spend all I can with a company that doesn't care about anything except the fact that i spend my money with them. Verses supporting a friend, co-worker, neighbor, friend of a friend that has a business.

Why are we so against supporting each other? When a friend has a business, they become in your mind that PERSON, who wants you to buy something. You ignore their emails, or mailing get tossed in the trash... But when a company emails you, sends you a flier, or something you don't have the same reaction. You're excited at that 20% off birthday coupon and can't wait to get out and spend your money. When your friend offers you something similar its, no thank you. i don't want anything i don't have any $$, then post about how you just bought out such and such store...

Yeah, we as entrepreneurs must develop thick skin. We have to unfortunately expect that the people we think will support us, won't.  We know that folks will tell us,yeah i got you and then at the last minute turn around and say sorry i can't do it... Those will be the same people asking why are you struggling, I thought u had your own business?

I know I can't support everyone that i know who has a business. (not yet anyway LOL) But when i go to make a purchase i'm way more focused now in my thinking. Well who do i know that sells, XYZ, before i go to a big business chain to shop. I may have to shop at grocery stores, because big chains have just about ran mom and pop local grocers out of business. But there are still some things i can go to, Local bakeries, local restaurants, individual crafters, DS businesses... directly to authors, or musicians to buy their product, cutting out the middle man... Sharing posts, creating reviews... there are a lot of ways in which you can support someone especially if you want to...
if we can post pictures of items from big businesses, why cant we do the same for the local folks. they need the support way more.