Small Business Saturday®
Small Business Saturday® is Saturday, November 26, 2022.
American Express and Small Business Administration began Small Business Saturday began in 2010 in an effort to help smaller independently owned businesses receive attention from holiday shoppers. According to the 2021 Small Business Profiles, the United States is home to 32.5 million small businesses employing 46.8% of the private workforce. Small businesses have generated 12.9 million new jobs in the last 25 years. Basically, every 2 out of 3 jobs created are a result of a small business.
Take advantage of local deals this holiday season by shopping from our Deals & Discounts page. You can also follow our Facebook Event Page for Walking in a Winter Vendorland Event which is full of local small businesses. Lastly, we can’t forget the importance of supporting local farms. It is a cause that is near and dear to me – Check out The Florida Farm Finder Group on Facebook where you can find every farm in this state. And by supporting this group you are supporting a local business as the person who runs the page resides in Polk County.
Reasons to Shop Small
Support Local Economy
When you support local businesses you are supporting your friends and neighbors. These are the people who shop, live and participate in the community. According to American Express, 67 cents of every dollar spent in a small business stays in the local community. Additionally, small businesses donate 250 percent more than larger businesses to local nonprofits and community causes.
Creates Local Employment
As small businesses grow they create more employment opportunities within the community. A small business that sells products made locally not only grows itself but also helps increase employment opportunities for locally made products.
Better Customer Service
Small businesses genuinely care about their customers as they are neighbors and friends. One of my favorite things about shopping from small local businesses is that the owners often remember who we are, what we bought, and what we like. That personal touch makes a HUGE impact.
Find Unique Items
Local businesses often carry items based on what their customers want and tend to be more specific to their community. Additionally, it is often a great way to find items that are different from box stores.
How to Support Local Businesses
An easy way to support Local Businesses is by telling others about the business. Tell your friends who they are, what they do, and if you enjoyed what they offer/sell. Word of mouth can be instrumental in helping a business grow and prosper.
Engage with businesses on social media. I know this may seem silly but simply liking, commenting, or even sharing social media posts can be HUGE to a small business. Many people don’t travel all over the county and may not know that there is a great independent bookstore in Lakeland or a fun coffeehouse in Bartow or a restaurant in Lake Wales that serves great food. Simply sharing the business’s social media posts can raise awareness and help them continue to stay in business.
Leave a review of the business online. Honest feedback helps other people learn about the business and hopefully will encourage them to check them out.
Support Minority-Owned Businesses
We are committed to supporting local businesses and especially minority-owned businesses. As a minority and female-owned business with a large platform, I feel it is my responsibility to bring awareness to other small businesses. Currently, we have a resource page for Hispanic-Owned Businesses & Black- Owned Businesses in Polk County and the surrounding areas. Not all of these businesses are brick and mortar stores but they are still worth checking out and we hope you give them a chance. Our goal for the new year is to create a Female-Owned Business Page.
