Shop Small !  

Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday may just be the most important shopping day of the three — actually, of the year! We don’t blame you for staying inside and drawing your blinds on Black Friday (it’s a scary place out there, what with the threat of being trampled in the Walmart parking lot…). But once Saturday rolls around, whether or not the turkey coma has worn off, it’s time to get out there and shop small.

Here’s why SBS makes a difference:

• Small businesses drive the economy
  Small businesses bring growth and innovation to the local community (especially here in Silicon Valley!), and create the majority of jobs in the country. All businesses start off as small businesses, so even the most successful businesses now contributing billions of dollars into the economy were once small businesses that needed their local communities to thrive.
• Shopping small creates jobs in your community and helps other local businesses
  When more people shop, the demand for goods increases and the need for products (and places to sell those products) goes up. More stores mean more job opportunities! Also, if you go out and shop (as opposed to shopping online), you’re likely to pop into neighboring shops and give them your business too. Another advantage of shopping small is that many small businesses sell local products which in turn help keep that money in the community.
• Small businesses care about the community and give back
  Small businesses are invested in the community — they care whether the streets are clean, the schools are good, and the quality of life is high. The happier the community, the happier the people, and the more shopping there is to be done! Small businesses create character in the neighborhood and provide economic advantage to their community. Small businesses are also more likely to create strong relationships and partnerships among neighbors, residents, community leaders, schools, and other local businesses. Small businesses understand the importance of helping out and often host community meetings, sponsor local events (and even sports teams!), and do their part to contribute in both social and economic ways.
• Your money (and tax dollars!) stay local
  A larger percentage of your money stays in the community when you shop small (as opposed to shopping at chain stores). AND when you shop local, your sales taxes are reinvested locally too!
•  Getting out there and shopping small will cure a turkey coma. Need we go on?

Happy Thanksgiving, and happy Small Business Saturday!