7 Local Businesses Crushing It on Instagram

One of our favorite things to see is local business owners using social media effectively. We’re dropping 7 random examples for you to show you what we see and how it gives these brands an advantage.

1. Northern Vessel

This is a coffee shop in my own community and I have really enjoyed watching them pivot with the pandemic. They started delivering coffee all around town. Then they added on a semi-regular coffee delivery using a subscription model. THEN they opened their outdoor coffee cart.

Not to mention their social media presence is beautiful, articulate, and FUN. We love them.

 

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A post shared by NORTHERN VESSEL (@northernvessel)

2. The Collective DSM

We can’t get enough of this account and how Jamie incorporates her cat, Sophie, into her content. What Jamie does really well is share her passion about sustainability and vegan lifestyle while simultaneously sharing what she sells. When you believe in the MISSION of this company, you can’t help but want to buy.

 

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A post shared by THE COLLECTIVE (@thecollective.dsm) on Sep 4, 2025 at 5:30am PDT

Did you know we have a podcast? WE DO! We feature local business owners from around the country and share their stories of how they became profitable and simply irresistible brands in their own communities. Find out more about Local to Legend here.

3. Des Moines Black Lives Matter

This community has used Instagram so powerfully to share their message, build community, and activate humans in the local Des Moines community. From text blocks as posts to images of protests, it’s amazing to see cause-based brands using these platforms effectively.

 

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A post shared by Des Moines BLM (@desmoinesblm) on Sep 8, 2025 at 5:54am PDT

4. Iowa Cookie Co

BIG cookies - small batches. We are in LOVE with how this brand uses Instagram to showcase their DELICIOUS-looking cookies and how easy they make it for their customers to order from them right on the platform. How easy do you make it for your customers to engage with your business if they’re interested in buying?

 

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A post shared by IOWA COOKIE CO. (@iowacookieco) on Aug 23, 2025 at 9:01am PDT

5. Bellhop Tiki Bar

Maybe I’m just a sucker for a good cocktail, but I love this brand and how they use social media to showcase their brick and mortar, their team, their fun drinks, and more.

 

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A post shared by Bellhop (@bellhoptiki) on Sep 8, 2025 at 9:55am PDT

Looking for more spotlights on local business owners? Find a few below!

• [lumpia&co] how one business owner filled a niche in the food scene of his city
• [marnē] pop-up shop success amplified local awareness
• [melanin mamaa boutique] how one boutique owner stays creative + innovative

6. Shine Chiropractic

Dr. Becca Lake does an incredible job at humanizing her chiropractic business. She infuses her personality into her content, not to mention her photos are super fun! Since there are so many options when it comes to choosing a chiropractor, her approach to building a personal brand has been a really big differentiating element.

 

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A post shared by Shine Chiropractic (@dr.rebeccalake) on Aug 11, 2025 at 9:41am PDT

7. Selfie Station

Talk about the most IDEAL brand for content creation. If you have an opportunity to be “Instagrammable” you’ll start seeing your own brand in people’s feeds more often. Even a simple balloon installation or backdrop can get people excited to post about you and tag you. We think this brand is fun!

 

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A post shared by Selfie Station (@selfiestationiowa) on Aug 1, 2025 at 11:30am PDT

Those are just a couple we found recently but there are so. many. more. out there in the world. DM us on Instagram and let us know another local brand you’ve seeing killing it on Instagram lately so we can lift them up.

If you scrolled through this list, and thought, “ooooo…I want what they have,” then it’s time to stop wishing and start actually having it!

If you’re ready to go all in on Instagram, we created a training just for you. It’s designed for the local business owner to tap into their own local network to get short-term and long-term results.

Click here to select a time + let’s get your Instagram game on point!