Two of my favorite days of the holiday season are Small Business Saturday and Giving Tuesday. Both have become their own movement, with the intention to inspire others to support what they love and do some good within their communities.
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 49
Two of my favorite days of the holiday season are Small Business Saturday and Giving Tuesday. Both have become their own movement, with the intention to inspire others to support what they love and do some good within their communities.
Small Business Saturday is observed annually in the United States on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Sitting between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday falls on Nov. 28 this year. To kick off the holiday shopping season, American Express and the Small Business Association created the day to celebrate small businesses and encourage consumers to shop locally instead of big corporate box stores. Small Business Saturday was founded by American Express in 2010 and officially co-sponsored by SBA since 2011. It is an important part of small businesses’ busiest shopping season, and for some, where they make the majority of their income for the year.
A widely cited report from the U. S. Small Business Administration in 2022 found that small businesses generated 44 % of all economic activity in the country. That same year, small businesses created twothirds of all jobs in the U. S. In a post-pandemic world, small businesses have been the backbone of economic recovery and job growth.
“ Small, locally owned businesses and startups tend to generate higher incomes for people in a community than big, nonlocal firms, which can actually depress local economies,” said Stephan Goetz, professor of agricultural and regional economics at Penn State and director of the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development, in a statement published alongside the research.
Given the impact that small businesses have on the American economy, it’ s critical to create an environment for small businesses to operate and thrive. It’ s also important for us to support them!
Shopping local not only keeps your dollars in your own community, it supports your friends and neighbors. And in return, many small businesses love to give back. Small businesses are often eager to participate in charitable marketing opportunities, such as sponsoring local sports teams or scouts, contributing to a project or volunteering for community fundraising efforts. Their
sponsorships and contributions benefit the community while generating goodwill and boosting brand awareness. As a small business owner myself, it’ s always been important for me to give back to the community that supports me!
Local shops, boutiques, and eateries offer a more personalized experience as well. Aside from the customer service, you can often find unique items that aren’ t mass-produced. Two local small businesses are making sure that happens. 405 Mercantile’ s owner Lora Frazier has opened up the back half of her boutique to local vendors. From candles and car fresheners to local honey and embroidered items, Lora wanted to incorporate local makers into her popular store. And of course, Winston the Doodle is
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