The Power of a Review: How Your Words Are Writing Charlotte’s Story

Chef Alyssa's Kitchen, located in the beautiful Bowers building located in Charlotte’s South End.

Back in June, I went to Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen here in Charlotte. If you’ve ever been, you know what a special place it is. We did an Indian Cuisine class and truly had a unique and special experience that left me thinking, “I have to share this.”

As a small business owner, I knew the next steps: I pulled out my phone later that evening and left a five-star review on Google. Nothing fancy—just a quick note about the wonderful experience and how much I enjoyed it. Then, honestly, I moved on and didn’t think much about the review again.

Leaving a review for your favorite small businesses is a simple way to make a big impact!

Fast forward a few months, and I received an email from Google Maps that surprised me. It said my review had been read 1000 times! A Thousand people read that small snippet I wrote about my experience at Chef Alyssa’s. My few sentences, written in just a couple of minutes, were helping others decide –where to go for date night, prepared meals, and catering events– and in turn, helping a local business thrive.

Even the smallest gestures—like leaving a review—carry more weight than we think.

Why Reviews Matter for Small Businesses

As a small, family-owned coffee roastery here in Charlotte, we know firsthand how much a review matters. We don’t have the advertising budgets of big companies. We don’t have a marketing team working around the clock to get our name out there. What we do have is you—our community.

When you share your experience, leave a five-star review, or tell a friend about us, you’re doing something powerful. You’re helping others find us. You’re telling the story of who we are in a way that’s more authentic and meaningful than anything we could ever say about ourselves.

Think about it: when you’re searching for a new restaurant, coffee shop, or service, what’s the first thing you do? You look at reviews (either online or word of mouth). Your words—your honest experiences—shape the way people discover small businesses like ours.

A Ripple Effect of Support

That email from Google reminded me that support doesn’t always come in the form of a big purchase or a large gesture. Sometimes it’s the little things. A kind word. A review. A recommendation. These small acts ripple outward in ways we may never fully see.

Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen has been a great partner and friend of ours at Enderly Coffee. Together, we created a custom coffee blend exclusively for her store. It’s a reflection of her brand, her care for quality, and her love for community—all packaged in a bag of coffee. Every time someone buys that blend, they’re not just buying coffee; they’re fueling a partnership that celebrates local collaboration.

When I think back on the review I left, I see it differently now. It wasn’t just about me sharing my good experience. It was about being part of a larger story—one where small businesses lift each other up, and where customers play a central role in that success.

How You Can Make an Impact

Here’s the beautiful part: you don’t have to be a business owner to make a difference. You already have the power to impact small businesses every day.

• Leave a review. It takes two minutes but can reach hundreds (or even thousands) of people.

• Tell a friend. Word of mouth is still one of the strongest ways to help small businesses grow. (Even get 30% your website order when you refer a friend)

• Shop local. Every purchase is a vote for the kind of community you want to live in.

  
  

Your support—whether it’s a review, a conversation, or a cup of coffee—helps keep small businesses alive. And when small businesses thrive, our entire community thrives.

A Blend Worth Celebrating

Speaking of partnerships, we want to highlight the Chef Alyssa Coffee Blend—a custom blend we created just for her. You can only find it at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen, and it’s one of those projects that reminds us why we love what we do. It’s more than coffee in a bag—it’s a symbol of collaboration, trust, and community impact.

And here’s something you might not know: we can help create a custom label coffee for you, too. Whether it’s for your business, nonprofit, or a special event, we love crafting something unique that reflects your story.

Click Here for a Free Quote

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At Enderly Coffee, we are constantly reminded that we wouldn’t exist without you. Your support not only keeps our doors open but also allows us to collaborate with amazing local businesses like Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen.

So next time you enjoy an experience you love, take a minute to share it. You never know how far your words might reach—or how deeply they might impact your favorite small business.