I am so excited to introduce the very FIRST edition of my new weekly blog post - Small Business Saturday! As some of you may know, this is the second year that this shopping "holiday" will be practiced - however, this is my FIRST year of being included : )
American Express launched this campaign last year in order to encourage consumers to "shop small" during the Thanksgiving weekend, the traditional kickoff of holiday shopping. Sandwiched between the Black Friday giant, and the increasingly popular Cyber Monday, the hope is that Small Business Saturday (held on November 26th this year) will remind consumers how vital small businesses are to our economy. If we choose to enjoy the little guys, but save time/money by only spending with the big guys and online retailers, we will eventually lose the small businesses and everything we love about them.
Why Small Business?
- Independent local businesses employ a wide array of supporting services... architects, designers, cabinet shops, sign makers, contractors - the list goes on and on!
- Opportunities grow for local accountants, insurance brokers, computer consultants, attorneys, advertising agencies, and web developers.
- Local retailers carry a much higher percentage of locally-made goods than the big box stores, which in turn, creates more jobs for local artisans/designers/producers.
- Small manufacturers rely on local retailers to give their products a chance. Local retailers are more free to take a risks with a new manufacturer or product that is not tied to a national sales plan.
- Sales of the 500 largest corporations grew 700% in the past 20 years, yet those same corporations are now firing more people than they hire despite record profits.
- Local owners with their life savings invested in their businesses, have a natural interest in the longterm health of their community.
- When asked to name our favorite, can't live without, restaurant, cafe, or shop, we almost always cite a unique local business. We embrace the idea of distinctiveness, but often forget their survival depends on our patronage.
Now, I'm not knocking the big guys. I do enjoy excursions to the big box stores, and occasionally shopping the ever popular Amazon type websites... However, I make it a point to go slightly out of my way, and spend a little more at a locally owned small business every month. An incredible pioneer in this movement is Cinda Baxter, founder of the 3/50 Project. The simple concept behind the 3/50 project - "pick 3, spend 50, save your local economy" - puts the power back in the hands of the consumer. Check out ELLE DESIGN STUDIO on the Connecticut Supporters Page, under Chester CT... yea!
3 What three independently owned businesses would you miss if they disappeared? Stop in. Say hello. Pick up something that brings a smile. Your purchases are what keeps those businesses around.
50 If half the employed population spent $50 each month in locally owned independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. Imagine the positive impact if 3/4 of the employed population did that.
68 For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that at a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online, and nothing comes home.
1 The number of people it takes to start the trend... you.
My goal with the Small Business Saturday posts, is to help raise awareness and draw attention to the awe inspiring backbone of our country - small businesses! Stay tuned every week, for a featured Small Business, in Chester, in Connecticut, and all around our nation.
Join the movement!
Shop small... shop local.
