'Tis the season to celebrate Small Business Saturday, where we embrace the essence of community and empower local economies. This day specifically encourages us to look to our neighborhood businesses for holiday gifts, supplies, and services, which is designed to foster a more vibrant and supportive local economy all year round. 🙌🙌🙌
Small Business Saturday - A Shopping Extravaganza 🎉
Every year, Small Business Saturday brings people and communities together to celebrate local businesses and entrepreneurs and their unique products and services. It's not just about scoring great deals—it's about nurturing the heart and soul of our communities. 🩷
This is the time of year to hyper-focus our support small businesses, connect within our communities, and start checking off our holiday to do lists. As we look for holiday gifts and supplies, services we need, and so much more... it is also the perfect time to intentionally introduce ourselves to new businesses and touch base with long time business owners, and consider how you can use their products or services and support them all year round and any new ways to do business. 💯
Small Business Owners are Superstars 🌟
Small businesses are the unsung heroes of our economy. They drive job creation, contribute significantly to tax revenue, and add strength and character to our communities.
Statistics to Keep in Mind 📊📈
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Increased Sales - In 2022, consumers spent an estimated $17.9 billion at small businesses on Small Business Saturday. This boost is a major lifeline for small businesses during the holiday season. Shopping on Small Business Saturday (and beyond) really matters! 🫰
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Enhanced Brand Awareness - Small Business Saturday provides a platform for small businesses to showcase their unique products and services, fostering a stronger brand presence and meet new customers for the upcoming year - they love new customers, so reach out! Be creative and think of ways you can take these new connections and reconnections and partner throughout 2024! 🤝
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Community Engagement - Small Business Saturday fosters a sense of community by encouraging consumers to shop locally and support their neighborhood businesses, creating a more active and supportive local economy. Make it a point to get out there - and then think about making a goal to repeat it at least once a week/month/quarter, etc... It is easy to go for convenience, but once you connect with community, it will help you feel how important your support is and maybe even bring you more important connections or business. So get out there! 🫶
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 161.6 million non-farm employed persons in the private sector in October 2023 and half were part of the private workforce. This means that small businesses employ approximately 80.8 million people, or nearly half of the private workforce in the U.S. For context, that is over 23% of the adult population in the US right now! It is very important we support this workforce and these small businesses! 🤩👍
History of Small Business Saturday 🕰️
Small Business Saturday was started in 2010 by AMEX, marking the beginning of a movement to champion local merchants during the holiday season. The U.S. Senate passed a resolution to support it in 2011, emphasizing its significance.
By 2013, Small Business Saturday had gained major recognition and momentum, with an estimated $14 billion spent at small businesses. This was a clear demonstration of the event's importance to local communities. Today, it is a recognized and celebrated event across the United States, encouraging people to shop locally and support the small businesses that make our communities healthy and strong. 💪
Call to Action 📢
This Small Business Saturday, let's not only shop local but also recognize the vital role taxes play in sustaining our communities vitality. By supporting small businesses and appreciating the importance of tax revenue, we can contribute to the growth and well-being of our neighborhoods. 🏡
Taxes are often seen as a necessary evil, but the truth is that they play a crucial role in funding essential services that benefit our communities. Every community will have its own prioritized budget, but in general taxes ensure that vital programs and services such as infrastructure 🚗, public safety🚓 , health and social services 🏥, environmental services and support 🌍, education🏫 , and other vital community services will continue to operate and improve, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for all community members.
As you shop and support small businesses, remember that you are not only helping local entrepreneurs but also contributing to the well-being of your community. Thank you for shopping local! 😍
