In a candid Facebook post, Sarah McManus pulled back the curtain on Manic Organic Whole Foods in a bid to save her shop and others like it.

She described small business as "a really tough gig" and revealed that trade at Manic Organic had been a lot slower than usual lately.

"It's become increasingly hard to compete against big supermarkets who have so much buying power in a lot of the same products we love to stock," she posted on her business page.

"The decrease in sales, means the decrease in money to buy the stock that you love to buy.

"And the less stock there is for you to buy, means you don't always come back to shop with us again.

"The struggle is real guys, so to all you who continue to support us (even when the shop isn't stocked as well as we'd like) THANK YOU. Sincerely, thank you."

Ms McManus said the community had the power to help small businesses fight the market dominance of multinational companies like Woolworths, Coles and Aldi.

"It is literally the customers who keep small businesses afloat.

"So if there is a shop you love and you don't want to see it close down, you can stop that from happening.

"Buy their products, choose supporting small family run businesses over gigantic supermarket chains.

"If you can't afford to shop at the moment (we all know how tight money becomes at this time of year) make sure you recommend your favourite businesses to your friends and colleagues, and share their social media posts often.

"Your support is the THE ONLY thing that keeps small businesses alive."

Ms McManus also tipped her hat to fellow small business owners doing their best in a difficult retail climate.

"Kudos to all you small business owners who have been pouring all your time, energy and brilliance in to your businesses for years."

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