How To Participdate
Merchants: Enter information about markets you have participated in (starting January 1st, 2024)
Market Coordinators: Encourage your merchants to participate, this data benefits all of us!
The Project
The Midwest Merchant Project currently aims to collect and analyze data from small business merchants in Central Ohio to gain valuable insights into the local commerce landscape. By gathering information on what sells best in different areas and at what times, this project seeks to provide actionable data for small business owners and community organizations.
The goal of the project is to create a comprehensive map of economic activity in Columbus, shedding light on the unique commercial characteristics of each neighborhood from a merchant standpoint. This information will empower small business owners to make informed decisions about market selection, product offerings, pricing strategies, and marketing efforts tailored to specific communities. By visualizing the insights in a user-friendly format, we aim to make the results accessible and actionable for a wide range of stakeholders.
Your Privacy
To maintain data integrity, email and business name are required. However, all identifying information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. The project commits to not sharing or selling any personally identifiable information outside of the project, ensuring the privacy and security of user-contributed data. The names of specific markets and locations will also be concealed in public reporting to protect the privacy and proprietary interests of individuals and businesses associated with those markets and locations.
About Me
My name is Emily Morgan (aka Lovely But Dead) and I have been an active merchant in and around Columbus, Ohio since 2018. I have a master's degree in Business Analytics and am currently a Senior Data Analyst at a Fortune 500 company. I love working with data and I love the vibrant tapestry of artists, makers, and small businesses that make up our community - to be able to join the two is a joy.