HOW FAR DOES LOCAL EXTEND

,This morning we packed up an ice chest, loaded our dog Calypso into the car for a follow up visit to the veterinarian.   Luckily, she travels well as our local vet is located in Chandler.  It takes us about an hour and two freeway systems to get there.  We have built up a trusting relationship with him and have been using his services for almost 40 years. (That's longer than any people doctor we have ever been to!)  
WHAT LOCAL MEANS 
In this case it means relating to a particular area in the Valley of the Sun, The Phoenix Metropolitan Area, Salt River Valley or Metro Phoenix.  No matter what you call it, these are all the different ways to describe the metropolitan area that surrounds Phoenix.  Sometimes it is drive to get there though!
UNIQUE AND HANDS ON
Many small businesses offer products or in our case, services that are situated to the needs of their local customers.  They are more flexible in their customer support and have often waited for us when we were stuck in traffic (I-10 - UGH!) as well as scheduled other appointments to suit our needs.  They appreciate our business and treat us as a valuable customer and a friend.
MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES
Many of the powerful big name businesses that are out there today had very humble (And local) beginnings, they started in their garage.  Although they have now moved out of the garage and into corporate offices, they had many people help them along the way.  They now have a team of people who help them with the needs of their business.  From their right hand person who sees to all of their important needs, to the person in charge of hiring and running the everyday needs of the business.  
BE THANKFUL
No matter how big or small the businesses that we use are we should remember how it is to start out, and the people who supported us along the way. From our wonderful veterinarian who puts our mind at ease and takes care of our best friends, to the restaurant who cooked a cheeseburger  made to order for Calypso (She is kind of a diva when she has to visit the vet).  We are thankful for all of them who make our daily lives a little easier.
Hang in there - Friday is in sight.