It has been 5 years coming, but more and more people are recognizing and celebrating Small Business Saturday. In case you missed it, in 2015, Small Business Saturday fell on November 29th. This day celebrates small businesses and is now nationally recognized and supported, even by President Obama and governors, mayors, and senators across the country.
Money spent at small, local businesses is funneled back into their communities more than shopping at national chains and big businesses. For example, according to The 3/50 Project, for ever $100 spend at a small, local business, about $68 goes back into the community; as opposed to the $43 that goes back to the local community when $100 is spend at a national chain.
In addition to financially aiding a community, small businesses also provide one-of-a-kind items and unique merchandise, providing the area with local flair and a market of original products, drawing others to the community and boosting a shopping district culture.
This presence of local culture gives the entire community a sense of identity. When you walk into a small business, you get the sense of what it feels like to be a member of that community. You are able to sense the wealth of culture and vitality when a local business is thriving, providing the entire community with a positive atmosphere.
Local business are also most likely to give back to the community and get involved in local needs. When a local sports team needs someone to sponsor them, who do they head to first? Local businesses. This cycle of businesses supporting their communities, which in turn, supports the businesses and so on… is a beneficial and productive system all across the board.
Even more so, local businesses are more likely to hire from the community, building their relationships with people from the area, giving the entire community a place where their patronage and loyalty are truly valued and depended upon.
