From the experience of running a business comes the wisdom to know how to connect with other businesses.

"I'm an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word," said Patricia Lecy-Davis, owner of Embellish salon. "We survive as a business here because of the connections we've made with other businesses."

Motivated to capture the spirit of business connectivity and the power of the Internet, Lecy-Davis and other local business owners formed Go Local Tacoma. A nonprofit organization that connects Tacoma residents with local and independently owned businesses, Go Local strives to build a community where local businesses work to offer residents a variety of means through which they feel comfortable enough to Go Local.

"It's a new and comprehensive Internet presence; this will not be a static site," continued Lecy-Davis. "It will be an interactive network for businesses and consumers to exchange information and ideas."

This exciting business model offers military members new to the area the opportunity to not only learn what area businesses there are but also to develop a sense of localness as they adjust to their new environment.

"Many people attached to the military who come here are unaware of how powerful an economic presence they are," said Lecy-Davis. "Finding new sources - especially when one is away from home - is important."

The Go Local concept allows people new to the area to quickly and easily find businesses that remind them of home.

"Say someone wants to find a certain kind of coffee shop or deli," explained Lecy-Davis. "This social medium lets consumers bring a sense of locality to their new environment, and that is important for members of the military and their family members."

For more information, visit www.golocaltacoma.com.