Shop Small on Small Business Saturday
The day after Thanksgiving is known to be the kick-off to the shopping season. The most famous day of all is Black Friday, however a few years ago Cyber Monday was coined and shortly thereafter - Small Business Saturday. These three days are critical for retailers in the battle for our shopping dollars during the holiday shopping season. These days can very well be the breaking point for businesses large and small, during which many retailers hold massive sales.
Saturday, November 30th is Small Business Saturday, a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for our communities. Being a small business owner myself, supporting Small Business Saturday is very important to me. The holiday season can be vital to a small business and their success, so please shop small any chance you get.
Small Business Saturday is an event started by American Express now widely embraced by many organizations including the SBA (Small Business Administration). According to a release by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and American Express, awareness of Small Business Saturday jumped to 67% last year and costumers were estimated to have spent a total of $5.5 billion shopping within their local communities.
If you are a small business owner like myself, the SBA created websites that give advice on how to maximize profit and increase sales during the holiday season which can be very helpful.
Every year I am given the pleasure of spending a weekend with inspirational and empowering woman at my Camp Reveille. Some of those woman own their own small businesses all around the country. Carolyn Glassford Drew is the owner of a florist/garden center called Watkins Flowers in Casco, Maine. They offer fabulous holiday wreaths, Maine grown poinsettias and perfectly grown Maine Christmas trees! We also use Watkins Flowers as our florist every year during camp and the arrangements are always spectacular! Erica Grasso Azarigian owns Ella, a woman's boutique in Guilford, CT that carries great fashion brands and beautiful accessories. Janet Penn started JPC (Janet Penn Consulting) which is a marketing company. JPC is not open on Saturday but will give anyone mentioning the blog a 15% discount on services through December, for new clients.
Small businesses are what make or neighborhood so special. So on November 30th go out to your local deli and grab a coffee, instead of Starbucks. If you live in Agawam, Massachusetts - stop at Maine St. Deli, recommended by Debbie Pajak Sorcinelli. (A Camp Reveille camper)
You can also share where you will be shopping or find local small businesses in your neighborhood on Saturday, November 30th by clicking here: #ShopSmall
Below are some Small Business recommendations submitted by people on Facebook. If you live in their area, go support them!
Hidden Treasures- A craft consignment shop featuring local handcrafted items!
Located at: 143 Main Street, Agawam, Massachusetts 01001
Clipper Landscape- Landscape design, construction and maintenance.
Located at: 1 Tradesman Circle, Falmouth, Mass 02536
HomeSpun Creations Gift Shop- Unique gifts made by local artists
Located at: 9 Wiley Road, Naples, Maine 04055
DownEast Engraving, Inc. - Make someone feel special gifts & engraving.
Located at: 1800 Roosevelt Trail Naples
Lillypaul Designs - Party styling business
Location: Tinley Park, IL
Fawn'd Memories- Home décor, gifts, and furniture.
Location: 398 US Route 202, Rindge NH 03461
Joan Lunden truly exemplifies today’s modern working woman. An award-winning journalist, bestselling author, motivational speaker, successful entrepreneur, one of America’s most recognized and trusted television personalities, this mom of seven continues to do it all. As host of Good Morning America for nearly two decades, Lunden brought insight to top issues for millions of Americans each day. The longest running host ever on early morning television, Lunden reported from 26 countries, covered 4 presidents and 5 Olympics and kept Americans up to date on how to care for their homes, their families and themselves.