The Tulsa region loses $29 million
a day to out-of-area purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the "Let's Do Business" campaign created?

This campaign was developed by the Tulsa Metro Chamber’s Small Business Council in response to the estimated $10.6 billion annual business that was being lost to companies outside of the area, and outside of our state. The campaign exists to encourage all area businesses to consider buying from local businesses before buying out-of-area. "Let’s Do Business" also fulfills the goal to support existing business development in the Chamber’s new regional economic development plan called Tulsa’s Future.

Who is sponsoring the campaign?

"Let’s Do Business" is brought to you by the Tulsa Metro Chamber’s Small Business Council and directly supported by Tulsa’s Future, the Chamber’s private economic development fund monetarily supported by more than 70 area businesses.

What is the goal of the campaign?

Our ultimate goal is to affect a shift in local business-to-business purchasing so that five percent of the amount now spent outside the Tulsa area is returned to our local community. We’ll do this by increasing public awareness about the advantages of buying from local businesses and promoting area businesses. We hope to not only improve the bottom line for these businesses, but also improve the local economy overall and create a sustainable future for our community. We are asking businesses and local governments to take a look at their purchasing habits and seek out-of-area purchases they could potentially bring back into the local area.

Where do the statistics come from?

Tulsa-MSA industries, in purchasing intermediate goods and services for the production of their goods and services, purchase 35.9 percent of their needs outside the Tulsa MSA. The lost-dollars total is *$10.6 billion of a $29.5 billion economy.

By the numbers:

$10.6 billion leaves the Tulsa area economy each year
$29 million leaves our economy each day
$1.4 million each day could be retained if 5% is returned to our economy

*This estimate excludes the labor portion of inputs. Back to top

Are the results being tracked?

Yes. “Let’s Do Business” pledges are voluntary, and where possible, participating companies have pledged to examine their books and work to shift shift a portion of their out-of-area spending back to the Tulsa region. We will work with our pledge companies to highlight successes of this campaign.

How do you define a ‘local’ business?

We consider any business with operations in the Tulsa region to be local. Businesses located here, whether small family-owned stores or part of a national chain or network, employ our family members, friends and neighbors and contribute to the local tax base.

What is the potential economic impact?

According to our research, if we can achieve a five percent shift in purchasing, that could mean as much as $1.4 million each day will impact our local economy. As this money moves through the community it ‘multiplies’ and could result in 6,600 jobs. (The 6,600 jobs are an estimate if we achieve the five-percent goal.).

What is the potential impact on the community?

The impact—at only five percent—would be overwhelming. Enriching our tax base while improving public services, streets, parks and playgrounds. Expanding business, attracting businesses, creating jobs. Once again we’ll discover how good we are, and how great we can be.

How can I help?

It starts with the CEOs, CIOs, CFOs, and purchasing agents spending a little time with the books, pinpointing dollars sent out-of-area—finding where they’re going, seeing what they’re buying, and looking for a niche where they could be buying locally. Then we’ve made the rest easy

Just commit to look at your current out-of-area purchases and work to bring some of them back into the local community! Whether you purchase $100 or $1,000,000 worth of goods annually, you will make a difference. And, let us know you’re participating by completing the “Let’s Do Business” online participation form, and we’ll recognize and promote you on this website.

What if the things I need can't be purchased locally?

Sometimes, the things you purchase are not available from local vendors. That’s why we aren’t suggesting a 100 percent shift to local purchasing. Instead, we’re encouraging businesses to shift just some of their current purchases back into the local area.

But consider this…how many entrepreneurs may want the opportunity to expand his or her local products and services to meet your needs? If time permits, submit an RFP to letsdobusiness@tulsachamber.com and we will encourage local businesses to consider bidding on your request.

What if buying locally means paying a higher price for goods and services?

It’s not about spending more. Nor is it local charity. It’s simply bringing some of your out-of-area business spending back home, to our economy.

The point is this: to give local companies a chance. If you can get it locally, and it meets your needs, your standards, your price, why not buy here?

Sometimes the local price isn’t always the lowest, and we don’t expect you to pay more for goods and services unless you perceive that the value outweighs the price difference. What we do hope is that you’ll at least give local vendors a chance to present their information to you. The number one problem local vendors face is just getting in front of decision makers in local companies with larger national vendors.

How do I find a local vendor to cover my needs?

Start with the list of participating “Let’s Do Business” pledge companies in the Directory section of this website.

If you don't find what you need there, next step is to visit the Tulsa Metro Chamber’s online Membership Directory. Search the categories there to find the vendors you need, and if you want to be included in that list, just send an email to the Chamber to become a member. It’s simple and membership in the Chamber is an investment in your community and your business. Call 918.585.1201 or email membership@tulsachamber.com for more information.

Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact the Chamber’s Let’s Do Business Representative at 918.585.0235 or email letsdobusiness@tulsachamber.com. Our knowledgeable professionals will search the over 45,000 businesses in the Tulsa Region to find the product or services you need.

Brought to you by Tulsa Metro Chamber's Small Business Council and Tulsa's Future

Cubic

Designed & Developed by Cubic