Small businesses are everything. And Small Business Saturday is a way to help them to thrive!
My family and I live in a small (college) town. While we do have a mall and some mainstream companies and businesses such as Walmart and Target and Kohl’s, we still have a lot of family owned business in our city. From jewelry boutiques to fitness studios to eateries, these local establishments offer something unique to our community and our economy.
One of my favorite local businesses is Christine’s: the Hardware Store for Women. It’s a jewelry store owned and operated by a friend of mine and her father. They take time to care for and relate to their customers on a personal level, and they always go the extra mile. It is a joy to visit the store and shop there, and they exhibit the heart and soul of what a small business means to people.
What is Small Business Saturday?
American Express launched Small Business Saturday to recognize the importance of small businesses and show support for the small business owners who play such a vital role in the economy. The first-ever Small Business Saturday took place on Nov 27, 2010. It encouraged people across the country to support small, local businesses – to get consumers to shop in their own community—not on online megastores.
So, every Saturday between the chaos of Black Friday and the online frenzy of Cyber Monday, local consumers come out on Small Business Saturday to shop small in their community. Small Business Saturday is a day for any and all small businesses—retail stores, restaurants, cafes, fitness studios, salons, you name it.
In addition, the United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution of support for Small Business Saturday. The day continued to grow, with more individuals and local organizations pledging to support the day as Neighborhood Champions. Shoppers supported their neighborhood businesses like never before, continuing to embrace the day as a holiday shopping tradition. {Sources: https://www.fundera.com/blog/2016/11/07/small-business-saturday; https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/about?linknav=us-open-shopsmall-globalfooter-About}
Resources Available
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there are resources out there to help to small businesses. For instance, Fundera is an online marketplace that connects small business owners seeking credit with the best lender for their business. They believe that small business owners “deserve access to the same tools that empower consumers to make sound financial decisions.” Fundera offer small business loans to help business owners fund seasonal workers and increased inventory during the holidays..how cool is that?!
How can we make the most of SBS?
This is a movement of sorts that everyone can participate in, and it’s easy! Here are a few helpful tips:
- Search out the local establishments that interest you. Look them up online or take a little drive around town to see what is there, right in your own backyard. For my Harrisonburg folks, click here to check out what is available downtown!
- Check your gift list for this Christmas – is there someone or several someones in your life who would appreciate something from a family owned business in your area? Make it a point to shop for them on SBS.
- Shop local on November 26th! Set aside some time to visit a local business or two, and see what gems you can find for others..and maybe for yourself 🙂
To be honest, this will be my first Small Business Saturday. I am looking forward to checking it out in my town, and I hope to find something unique for a family member. And supporting my local economy will be a plus as well 🙂
I’m taking the pledge to shop locally on Small Business Saturday next week..and I hope you will join me!
