Small Business Saturday Success: Shopping small at your local boutique, shop, or even getting an extra haircut today all helps America’s small businesses keep thriving.
by Kevin James Culp
However, in some cases, small businesses are not thriving they’re surviving and this day and make or break some bottom lines.
Since 2010 when I wrote my first article on Small Business Saturday, some of which has been included below for reference hasn’t changed much in theme. Get up, get out, pick your favorite place and buy things that you really need and try to get a great deal from anyone local. If you live in a warm area try a Framers Market or roadside stand. If it’s cold in your neck of the woods, put on that jacket and head on out to whatever you call main street. Spend a few bucks, so they can spend a few bucks in your community. They pay rent, and they get haircuts too.
In 2010 it was reported by the Counselors to America’s Small Business that more than one million people participated in the first annual Small Business Saturday. A national movement sponsored by American Express. It was designed to drive shoppers to local merchants across the U.S. in an effort to create jobs. It was also designed to boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods nationwide.
Local and oftentimes regional businesses are the heartbeat of our communities and local economies. In order for them to prosper, we all need to be spending our hard-earned money with them. It’s also very important that all of us make an effort to purchase products that are “Made in the USA.” “Assembled in the USA” is a second-best option. Just being mindful of these few things will not only support local businesses but will also help to support our USA-based manufacturers.
Look, I recognize that finding goods made here in the homeland is a difficult task at best. Believe me, I know. It’s an exercise I undertake every year when I set out to buy gifts to support one of my favorite charities, the USMC Toys for Tots program. It certainly takes some time and effort to make sure what I buy is home grown. If I can do it you can do it too. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
You can also have a real positive impact on your local economy by spending money at the shops and restaurants that employ your neighbors and friends. Take the time to really think about how you can turn any disposable income you may have into an investment close to home that will help the people you care about most keep their jobs.
And if that’s not enough to motivate you, consider these facts…
Did you know that for every $100 you spend at a small business, roughly $68 gets returned to the community? Did you also know that small businesses employ more than half of all the employees in the private sector and that they represent 99.7% of all employer firms overall? You may not realize that in every year over the last decade, 60% – 80% of new jobs were generated by small businesses. Together or in part, these are huge statistics!
The bottom line is that it’s really important for all of us to recognize the part we can and must play in keeping small businesses afloat and thriving.
Small Business Saturday Success! Think about where you’re spending your money…it matters!
Thanks for Reading and Carpe Diem My Friends!
SOURCES: American Express, BigCommerce.com, SCORE, Small Business Administration
