Support local small business this holiday season and shop small
By Diane Sturgeon, Maine District director U.S. Small Business Administration
Every year consumers hear about the post-Thanksgiving deals at large retailers for Black Friday, but for our Main Streets and local shops the big event is the following day on Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday is in its 16th year, and last year, Americans spent over $22 billion when they shopped or ate locally at a small independently owned store or restaurant.
We want to see that number grow even higher, and that local support continue throughout the year. By keeping dollars local, consumers support not only that small business, but their community as a whole and on Saturday, Nov. 29 the SBA kicked off the Season of Small Business as we celebrated Small Business Saturday.
Over the years our office has visited downtowns across the state, from Biddeford to Bangor, and Farmington to Ellsworth. The thing that unites all of these main streets and downtowns is the energy and vitality that the small businesses bring, along with products that make one of a kind gifts and dining options that are a draw all on their own. Our small businesses are the ones who sponsor youth sports and donate to non-profits, make local festivals and fairs possible and bring beautiful lights and displays to our downtowns. As the federal agency specifically tasked with supporting America’s small businesses, we cannot speak highly enough about Maine’s entrepreneurs, and hope all Mainers share our enthusiasm.
As SBA’s Season of Small Business kicks off on Small Business Saturday, we want Mainers to remember, every dollar spent locally helps support not only that small business, but your friends and neighbors who live and work in Maine.
To highlight your activities, show off the unique shops in your town, share and like the posts of small businesses on social media as a no cost way to help and encourage everyone you know to shop local and shop small not only this holiday season, but all year long! Post those photos, share those posts and highlight our local small businesses on social media using the hashtags:
#ShopSmall
#SmallBizSaturday
#ShopLocal
#IShoppedSmall
#GiftBigShopLocal
To learn more about SBA’s support of Small Business Saturday, visit https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/organization/observances/small-business-saturday.