Dane Buy Local is a proud member of the LocalFirst Community.
Our membership helps support Dane Buy Local and our members through collaboration,
education, shared resources and financial support.

The LocalFirst Community is a program of the Local Business Institute (LBI). LBI is committed to helping local businesses through the nonprofit organizations that represent them. Joining the Community has many direct benefits for Dane Buy Local and our members. But more than specific benefits, the Community gains strength with our participation—Strength to aid one another, strength to collectively grow local businesses and strength to propel all of us to sustain thriving local economies.

Our membership in the LocalFirst Community holds direct benefits for our members including discounted classes on the LBI Virtual Campus. The LBI Virtual Campus offers online and on-demand classes specifically written for small local businesses by the Local Business Institute (LBI). Members of Dane Buy Local can take any Business Class for half price. Normally $199, your DBL membership entitles you to take these classes for only $99. But the real value is the learning and insights you’ll gain from the classes. Contact DBL for your special code.

The online and on-demand structure allows for maximum flexibility on taking a class so business owners can proceed at their own pace and as time allows. These classes deliver real-world, practical information in a fun and lively interactive experience. We know how valuable time is to local business owners, so we produced engaging and condensed presentations. Each class is made up of 15-minute segments easily configured into a busy day. Take one at a time or several, it’s up to you.

All classes were written and designed by the founders of the Local Business Institute—Rebecca Melançon, Julie Niehoff and Vicky Valdez. Together we have more than 90 years of experience with small local business and education. What that really means is that We Speak Local and you’re in good hands.