Join Us For Small Business Saturday

What is Small Business Saturday?
Although Small Busienss Saturday is well-known amongst small businesses, consumers may be in the dark when it comes to this economy-boosting event. Small Business Saturday is November 26 this year, the Saturday immediately following Black Friday and the weekend before Cyber Monday. (Don't forget to enjoy Thanksgiving in the midst of all this!) The purpose of Small Business Saturday is to stimulate locally-owned small businesses and, in turn, help the economy. Simply put, if you're a consumer: shop! If you're a small business: participate!

Small Business Owners
Participating in Small Business Saturday is made easy for you. Powered by American Express, Small Business Saturday's website provides marketing materials, easy how-to guides and even an app! Make the day lucrative for your customers. Check out all the materials here. The WBDC has partnered with Women Impacting Public Policy to support Small Business Saturday, and we're doing so gladly as everyone benefits when locally owned businesses are supported.

From Small Business Saturday's Facebook: "According to the 2011 Small Business Saturday Consumer Spend Survey, 61% of consumers plan to shop at locally-owned clothing and accessories stores on November 26."

Consumers
Small Business Saturday has this great feature on their Facebook Page. Simply type in your zip code, and they'll give you a list of registered participants to visit. What's in it for you? Look at it like this. Buying a dress from your local boutique puts money directly into the woman's pocket who just rang you up. You just helped pay for the shop owner's groceries, buy her kids school clothes and put gas in her tank. For every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $68 stays in the local economy, compared to only $43 if spent at a national chain, according to Civic Economics study on Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sept. 2008. Doesn't that just make you feel better about your spending?

Are you participating? As a consumer or small business owner, or both? Let us know in the comments below!

Tagged as: small business, consumer, entertainment, shopping and women business owners

Hedy M. Ratner is founder and co-president of the Women's Business Development Center, the largest, oldest and most comprehensive and successful women's business assistance center in the U.S. She blogs about entrepreneurship, working women, success stories, small business and more in “Windows to Business Success.”