Small Business Saturday is 11/28/20, and it's a great time to shop local and show small business owners in MA and RI that you value what they contribute to the SouthCoast area. Of course, it’s great to shop local as much as possible, but Small Business Saturday is a specific day set aside to remind people to buy from their neighbors and friends. Small businesses contribute to your local economy in more ways than you might realize. By choosing to purchase goods and services from people who make up your community, your funding can help local businesses continue to grow and develop. You may also discover some great places that you didn’t realize existed! If you are a fellow small business owner, it is a great opportunity to create collaborations or cross-promotions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on local businesses, and Small Business Saturday could be a great way to help them survive. Even if you're not comfortable shopping in-person, there are still plenty of ways you can help support small businesses. A number of local businesses allow you to shop online or place orders over the phone, and many offer curbside pickup or delivery options. You can utilize local businesses to start your holiday shopping, or purchase gift cards to use later.
Small Business Saturday can be an opportunity for you to find new restaurants, handmade goods, and more that will allow you to put your money back into your local community. Your purchases can help boost the local economy to create a stronger future here in the SouthCoast. Your support also allows local business owners to make a living doing something they are most likely very passionate about. Instead of giving money to a large corporation, you are contributing to a family’s college fund or an opportunity to expand the business. Sure, it can be easier to just grab something from a big box retailer or place an order on Amazon, but by taking the time to shop local, you can help support the people and businesses who make up your community.
Small businesses allow people all over the United States, from all walks of life, to build something they enjoy and take pride in. Some business owners might have retired after years in the corporate sector and now want to do something different that speaks to their heart or brings them joy. Others could be families that have been in business for generations and want to continue on. There are all kinds of reasons for someone to start a small business, and their contributions to your town, state, and country may be greater than you realize.
Here are some small business statistics that may surprise you:
• There are 30.2 million small businesses throughout the United States. This is defined by the SBA as a company with fewer than 500 employees – not just the single owned stores with a few employees.
• Small businesses make up 58.9 million jobs within the U.S.
• In 2019, 1.9 million jobs were create in the U.S. by small businesses
• About 240,000 small businesses open every year in the U.S.
• Massachusetts is currently ranked third for businesses creation in the top 25 largest states – following Minnesota and Wisconsin.
• 20% of all small businesses have at least one employee
If you're looking for places to support on Small Business Saturday - or any other day – in MA and RI, there are plenty of options. Use these resources to help you find local businesses you can shop from:
• American Express Shop Small Map. Enter your zip code to see small businesses near you.
• ABC6. Learn the stories behind some small businesses in Southern New England featured by ABC6 News.
• Shop Local Rhode Island. Find a local offering by category or view a map to find businesses in your town. You can also see which businesses offer online shopping or gift cards.
• Small Business Saturday: Shop RI. View a list of vendors that have registered for Small Business Saturday in RI and learn more about what they offer.
• Yelp. Search ‘small businesses’ on Yelp in your location for a variety of listings.
• Social Media. See what local businesses your friends have been shopping at. If you find a local store you enjoy, posting on social media can influence other people in your area to check it out as well.
There are great opportunities to shop from a multitude of small businesses and help make them success stories. You may find some great deals and opportunities you hadn't realized were right around the corner.
At BankFive, we're committed to helping local businesses succeed. If you are a small business owner in MA or RI, learn more about how we can support you and help you achieve your business goals.