Small Business Saturday is coming! While Amazon would have you believe every Christmas gift should arrive in a cardboard box big enough to house a family of raccoons, keep in mind it's actually Nebraska's small businesses that keep our communities humming. A little local spending can go a long way toward keeping Main Street alive and well!
Here are Five Fast Facts about Small Business Saturday:
- 💡 Early Days - American Express launched Small Business Saturday in 2010 to encourage holiday shopping at local small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (it's November 28 this year). The Small Business Administration endorsed it in 2011, and now all 50 states partake. Think Black Friday's cousin, minus the scuffle over a discounted TV.
- 🏠 Bring It Home - Nebraska has over 193k small businesses, 99.1% of all businesses in the state. They employ almost 423k people, or 47.5% of Nebraska's workforce. That's a whole lot of Nebraskans earning paychecks from businesses that actually know their customers' names!
- 🤯 Local But Huge - In a state where distances are measured more by miles than minutes, buying local is important! Downtown districts and small businesses make life vibrant by offering unique products and experiences, and contribute to over $20 billion in payroll across the state.
- ☕ The Little Things - Supporting local doesn't require a winning lottery ticket. It's about spending thoughtfully where you can, and supporting those who are important to your community. When you buy a handmade gift or grab coffee from a local shop, you're helping that business a few bucks at a time. Your purchase might not save the world, but it could save your favorite downtown store from becoming another vacant storefront.
- 🎄 Make An Outing Of It - Whether it's a local farmer's market or maker's mart, a Christmas lights display, or just a downtown going all out , there are local events all around the state. The best part: they're often free, and almost always supported by small businesses. So get out there and have some affordable fun...and maybe grab a treat or gift while you're there!
🔥Bottom line: As we head into prime shopping season, consider skipping the big-box shopping and mouse clicking, discover a local gem, and help Nebraska's small businesses keep their doors open. Your community gets stronger, local workers keep earning paychecks, and you might even find a gift that doesn't scream, "I bought this last-minute at the only gas station that was open."
What's your favorite local place to shop?
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