Small businesses shape, strengthen local communities

0

As a voice for entrepreneurs and small business owners nationwide, the U.S. Small Business Administration celebrates small businesses on a daily basis. They help shape the identity of the city or town that they are located in. They bring in jobs and keep resources local. They give back, supporting the community’s children sports teams. They are a key part of what makes a city or a town a place that people can work in and enjoy.

On Saturday, November 25, join us in celebrating small businesses by shopping locally. Small Business Saturday was created in 2010 as a concrete way to support local businesses and the communities that they give so much back to. Across America, small businesses generate two out of every three net new jobs and deliver essential goods and services to local communities. In Ohio, small businesses employ 2.1 million of employees, 46 percent of the total amount of people employed in the state.

More than 112 million consumers shopped at small businesses on Small Business Saturday in 2016, marking a 13 percent increase from 2015. During that time, shoppers spent a reported $15.4 billion at small businesses, according to a 2016 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey. A number of those consumers stated that the main reason that they support small business is because of their contributions to the community.

Together, let’s support our small businesses during this holiday season. If you’re a customer, commit to making one purchase from a locally-owned small business owner. Not only will your gift be unique, but by learning the story behind the small business, it will also be more meaningful.

Small business owners can prepare for this holiday season with SBA resources and free marketing materials available at sba.gov/saturday.

Whether you’re a customer or a business owner, take part in Small Business Saturday by sharing your story with us on Saturday with the social media hashtag #ShopSmall. For more information about Small Business Saturday, visit sba.gov/saturday.

https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Rick_Garcia.jpg

By Rick Garcia

Guest Columnist

Rick Garcia is the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Columbus District Director and is based in Columbus, Ohio. Viewpoints expressed in the article are the work of the author. The Daily Advocate does not endorse theseviewpoints or the independent activities of the author.

No posts to display