Lisa Johnson | Special to BIZ. Magazine
Each year, we promote #ShopSmall and #SmallBusinessSaturday – the day after Black Friday. But this year, as our business owners look to their most profitable season of most years, we need to support them as much as we possibly can. We have locally owned men’s stores, women’s boutiques, gift shops, restaurants, salons and home décor stores – a plethora of local places and merchandise for you to buy LOCALLY.
We all know small business is the backbone of our economy, and it is very important to shop small, shop local and support these businesses!
According to American Express, the creator of the Small Business Saturday movement, for every dollar spent at a small business in the U.S., approximately 67 cents stays in the local community. So when you Shop Small on Small Business Saturday—and all year long — you can help create a big impact.
If you are a local organization, you can apply with American Express to become a Neighborhood Champion to help bring small businesses and shoppers together this holiday season and beyond.
If you are a local business, you can purchase your goods and services from other local businesses. And, don’t forget to tell your loyal customers how much you appreciate their business, especially during the holiday season.
As an individual, make sure you visit all of your favorite places, at least once, the last quarter of 2020. Invite friends to your favorite local happy hour spot, purchase gift cards from your favorite local restaurant, and find gifts for everyone on your list when visiting all of your favorite local stores and shops.
As the Shop Small website says: Support the places you love today! Small businesses are counting on all of us – let’s show them how much they mean to our communities.
Lisa Johnson | President & CEO of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce.