Every year in November, people start talking about Small Business Saturday. You see and hear about it everywhere, from social media to radio. But do you know when and how this iconic day came to life?
The Origin
Small Business Saturday was born as a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which provide worldwide shopping experiences.
In the midst of the 2010 recession, American Express and the nonprofit National Trust for Historic Preservation partnered and, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, celebrated the first Small Business Saturday. Their goal? Encourage people to shop small and support local communities. As you can imagine, it was a big success!
A year later, still riding the momentum, business associations, municipalities, public officials, and other groups formed the Small Business Saturday Coalition. The same year, the Senate passed a resolution affirming its support of the day. Even the President gave it a shoutout!
The Impact
Today, eleven years later, we still celebrate Small Business Saturday. Consider that there are about 32 million small businesses in the States, and 47% of US employees work for a small business. Imagine the impact you can have on all these people’s lives!
Supporting a small business is a way to have a positive impact on someone’s dream and ultimately, on the world you live in. Did you know that for every $1 towards a small business, $0.67 stays in the local economy?
How To Support Local All Year Round
You may not even realize it, but every time you get a coffee from your go-to neighborhood cafe or a beer from your favorite local brewery, you’re shopping small and making a big difference in your community.
You know — supporting small businesses is not just about purchasing from them. There are other things you can do to show your support. Check out our “Support a Local Business Checklist” below.
- Shop Local
- Leave A Review
- Share A Photo/Post On Social Media & Give Them A Shoutout
- Consider Small Before The Big Businesses
- Tell A Friend Or A Family Member About A Small Business You Love
- Sign-Up For Their Newsletter
- Attend Their Events
- Be Caring And Check In With Owners And Employees
- Aim For Local Holiday Shopping
Site-Seeker’s Shoutouts
This year at Site-Seeker, each of our employees shared their favorite local small businesses, we gave them a shoutout on social media, and now we want to share them with you!
Also, we are truly grateful to all of our small business clients. Without them, Site-Seeker wouldn’t be where it is today. Take a look at all of them listed below!
Site-Seeker’s Small Business Clients
Mercer’s Dairy, Ice Cream Shop in Boonville, NY
Insurance Marketplace Agency, Independent Insurance Agency in Webster, NY
Stage Time Trivia, Subscription Trivia Service in Utica, NY
Saint Lawrence Chateau, Restaurant & Hotel in Clayton, NY
Rudy Schmid, Auto Body Repair Shop in Syracuse, NY
DeIorios, Pizza Dough Manufacturer in Utica, NY
Cleveland Public Adjusters, Public Adjusters in Cleveland, OH
Atlantic Precision Spring, Spring Manufacturer in Bristol, CT
Performance Wire and Cable, Wire and Cable Manufacturer in Camden, NY
TransWorld Equipment, Equipment Specialists, in Shrewsbury, NJ
Greek Peak Mountain Resort, Resort in Cortland, NY
Always A Good Sign, Full Service Sign Company in West Berlin, NJ
Riff Co. Construction & Renovations, Home Remodeling Contractors in Buffalo, NY
Central Masonry & Chimney, Chimney Maintenance Company in Dolgeville, NY
Comedy CNY, Stand Up Comedy & Trivia Bar in CNY
Elastomers, Rubber-Manufacture Supplies Manufacturer in Williamsville, NY
Grants Plus, Grant Seeking Firm in Cleveland, OH
Edgewood Capital, Commercial Real Estate Company in Southport, CT
Saint Lawrence Spirits, Distillery in Clayton, NY
Scalzo Zogby & Witting, Independent Insurance Agency in Utica, NY
Sherrill Manufacturing, Flatware Manufacturers in Sherrill, NY
Silver City Pewters, Pewterware Finishers in Sherrill, NY
Strategic Financial Services, Financial Service Business in Utica, NY
Sturges Manufacturing, Container Supplier in Shrewsbury, NJ
Unlimited Tomorrow, Prosthetic Arm Manufacturer & Distributor in Rhinebeck, NY
Our Employees’ Favorite Small Business Clients
Sean’s Heart of the Park, Outdoor Restaurant in Atlanta, GA
Thai Fusion, Thai Restaurant in Pinehurst, NC
Echo & Rig, Restaurant in Las Vegas, NV
Mōtus, Farm To Table Restaurant Utica, NY
Almost Local, Gift Shop in Clinton, NY
Beer Hub, Beer Bar in Utica, NY
Lincoln Davies Building Supply, Building Supply in Sauquoit, NY
Primo Pizza, Pizzeria in Clinton, NY
Holland Farms Bakery, Bakery in Yorkville, NY
Northside Social, Coffeehouse, Café & Wine Bar in Arlington, VA
Lupo Marino, Italian Restaurant in Washington, DC
Conclusion
Small business is the fabric of our community. Remember — you can’t buy happiness, but you can buy local… and that’s kind of the same thing.
