Small businesses comprise a significant portion of the US economy! ”Small Business Saturday” is this week!
The 2nd annual “Small Business Saturday“® is
a day dedicated to supporting small businesses
on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.
On November 26, we’re asking millions of people to shop small at their favorite local stores and help fuel the economy. When we all shop small, it will be huge. Source
“Small business drives the American economy,” said Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist for the Office of Advocacy in a press release. “Main Street provides the jobs and spurs our economic growth. American entrepreneurs are creative and productive, and these numbers prove it.”
Small businesses are job creators. Office of Advocacy funded data and research shows that small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all firms, they create more than half of the private non-farm gross domestic product, and they create 60 to 80 percent of the net new jobs. Source
I can’t help it, I love all things entrepreneurial!
My husband and I were both raised in families who were sustained by small, family-run businesses. While the industries were very different, the premise was the same. Being your own boss is the best way to go!
Today, we own two small businesses and employ about 3 people. We can’t imagine working for someone else.
Being self-employed isn’t a cake walk, however. It requires self-discipline, motivation, skill, passion, determination, product and marketing knowledge, internet savvy and a will to be independent!
And the payoffs? There are plenty!
Small family businesses are passed down to the next generation, what a way to sustain the future economy!
Small business owners tend to be community and church leaders and positively influence others to be the best they can be.
Small business owners tend to be generous individuals as well, giving of their time and talents to others.
However, one thing is certain….small businesses need US! They need for us to spend our dollars with them!
I can hear some of you mumbling right now, saying “Well, they aren’t the cheapest in town, I can get a better buy at Walmart”.
You’re right, many times the mega-stores can offer the lowest price. That’s not the point.
Yet, can you imagine what life would be like in your community without the smattering of small businesses that lace our streets? Nothing but Walmart, Meijer, Kmart, CVS and McDonalds on every street corner? How boring would that be?
Don’t we realize that without a thriving small business community that we limit our own purchasing options?
Further, almost 80% of those you know are employed by small businesses. Without our support and dollars, people can lose their jobs. Crime will increase where there is high unemployment, there is no doubt about that.
Strong communities are built by a strong small business community! Scope out your favorite local businesses this week and go buy something to show your support this Saturday.
NOW, I want to give all of you the opportunity to feature YOUR small business! You might be on Etsy or Ebay, or perhaps own a floral or farm-based business. Consulting, blogging, sewing, babysitting, personal trainers and shoppers, I want to give you a place to promote your business….for free!
Click here to go to ”The Morristribe” Facebook page and upload a bit of a promo about your business. You can upload a logo and a link to your web-page!
If we all look for ways to support our small business community, everyone wins!
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About kmorris
I’m not a small business; in fact, I work for a very large business.
However, I do LOVE my small sewing and knitting shops!
Molly,
LOL, I’m glad you love your small shops. The world needs both large and small, doesn’t it??
Right On!!!! My husband and I own a swimming pool business and we have to compete with Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Leslies, and the internet. The other thing you lose when you shop box stores is expertise. Small business owners have specialized skills and knowledge that you can’t get at Wal-Mart.So, you’re also paying for that, not just a product.
We also own a Monavie distributorship and a small yoga studio. I also love all things entrepreneurial! In fact, this summer I saw a couple of kids with a lemonade stand. It was literally about 100 degrees outside and they were all sweaty. I stopped and said “I don’t want any lemonade but I like your entrepreneurial spirit, so I’m going to give you some money. What are you saving up for?” They showed me an $8 toy that two of them had, but they wanted to get one for their sister. I gave them a $20 bill and said “How many can you buy with this?” That was probably the funnest thing I’ve ever done!!!! I don’t think I would have gotten a better reaction if I’d whipped out a million dollar bill!
Misty,
I love lemonaide stands too!!! I also stop and just buy all I can to encourage them!
Thanks so much for commenting and sharing about yourself!
I was very encouraged yesterday as I walked around the downtown area of Corvallis, OR, filled with small businesses. They were PACKED, as I stood in lines in small little stores, much like I would if I had chosen to go the commercial Black Friday route. I still felt like I was ‘a part of things’ by being with those crowds however my spending was frugal and individualized to the people I’m purchasing for that I love! As I begin to nurture the (not so ) creative side in me, I hope to soon be able to make more gifts than I buy!
Here’s a recent example of a small business costing LESS than the big business (actually 2 examples): it costs $1.80 to make a key at a small hardware store; $1.87 at home depot. Here’s a better example though: Finger splints cost $5.50 at CVS and $3.00 at my small local pharmacy. This just in the past couple of days. I think it is a myth that small businesses are more expensive than large ones; it all depends on the situation and type of product. Local pharmacies and hardware stores are going out of business yet they are CHEAPER than the big boxes and chains…