A successful Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 28 marked Small Business Saturday – an important time to shop locally and support our nation’s small businesses during the holiday shopping season. In recognition of Small Business Saturday, many small businesses offered discounts and specials to encourage people to shop small. Total spending at small businesses on Small Business Saturday reached an impressive $16.2 billion, up from $14.3 billion in 2014.
Small businesses around the country – like Hopscotch Bakery in Pueblo, Colo. – offered fun Small Business Saturday swag so patrons could let everyone know they supported entrepreneurs by shopping small. Other businesses – like Wade Creek House Antiques in Estacada, Ore. – offered discounts and prizes to customers.
Small Business Majority got in on the action too. Many of our team members stopped by small businesses to show their support, and we promoted Small Business Saturday throughout our social media channels and provided free marketing resources for small businesses.
In celebration of Small Business Saturday, we also issued our first annual regional Small Business Advocate Awards to small business owners around the country who have gone above and beyond as advocates for policies that help small businesses thrive. Award recipients included:
- Claudia Roblee, owner of ArtVentures in Michigan
- Michelle Tomallo, owner of FIT Technologies in Ohio
- Teagen Andrews, owner of Ecossential Solutions in Illinois
- Hipatia Lopez, owner of Empanada Fork in New Jersey
- Christin Evans, owner of The Booksmith in California
- Adam Rochon, owner of Sequoia Solutions in California
- Roberto and Alicia Ortiz, owners of Ortiz & Associates in California
- Tracy duCharme, owner of Color Me Mine in Colorado
- Keith Crawford, owner of Management Services FCIG LLC in Missouri
- Lya Wesley Britt, owner of KBQ Barbeque in Maryland
Even though Small Business Saturday only happens once a year, it’s important that we always take time to support entrepreneurs – no matter what they season. Their hard works keeps our economy and communities vibrant, and they deserve our business.