Sometimes small businesses can disappear in the crowd of big box stores, shopping malls, Internet offers, Black Fridays and Cyber Mondays. But there are more than 28 million small businesses in the United States, and they play a big role in both local communities and the American economy, according to the Small Business Association.
“These small businesses create two out of three new jobs in America, so they are not only providing to their communities, they are also providing economic development and boost in the nation,” says Carol R. Wilkerson of SBA.
That’s why Small Business Saturday is every bit as important as Black Friday. Like Black Friday, SBS is a national initiative. American Express hatched the idea in 2010 to support local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country.
“They realize that they have competition, obviously, and so elevating Small Business Saturday kind of gives them a platform, too, aside from Black Friday and some of the other holiday promotions,” says Wilkerson. “This gives you a way to strategize your shopping and say on Saturday I’m going to go and get that unique something for uncle so and so.”
About small businesses:
• SBA defines small businesses as an independent business having fewer than 500 employees.
• More than 350 small business organizations supported the nationwide initiative with more than 50 Chambers of Commerce and 60 groups organizing events and activities in support of the day.
• 155 corporations, such as FedEx, Twitter, AOL/Patch and Clear Channel banded together to promote shopping at small merchants for Small Business Saturday.
• More than 3.2 million Facebook users have “liked” the Small Business Saturday page.
For more info on Small Business Saturday, and to find participating stores near you, click here.
