Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses across the country. Founded by American Express in 2010, this day is celebrated every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year, Small Business Saturday is on November 30th. I want to participate in this event to show my support to those entrepreneurs working long hours to be successful and make an impact on the local community (although I shop small whenever I can). I’m a small business owner and understand the struggles entrepreneurs face each day, and understand what they contribute to our local areas. Small businesses make an impact on the community by hiring workers, collecting and paying sales tax, and adding a bit of character to the area that isn’t created by the massive chains.
Will you be participating this year? It can be visiting a small restaurant, buying gifts to share with friends/family, or maybe even taking a class from a local artist. Do something to show you care about the “little guy” and help make their businesses a success. Trust me when I say the small business owner will appreciate your patronage much more than the large guys. Don’t get me wrong, we need the larger businesses as well, but it’s important to make sure our local small businesses are successful as well.
Do you know a small business owner? Let them know you care about their success by shopping there and telling others about their business as well. And support them year round. Although Small Business Saturday is a great way to get the word out about how much we need them and want them to succeed, unless we buy from them often, the small businesses will close.
I hope you go out and show your support to your local entrepreneurs. I know I will be showing mine this weekend.
Candy
