Small Business Saturday

The County of Santa Cruz, in conjunction with American Express and all of the local chambers and downtown associations, celebrate small business on Small Business Saturday, and throughout the month of December.  Small Business Saturday is held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and is a day that reminds us to shop at local small businesses.  Our county is comprised of over 10,000 small businesses with a huge range of products and services.

In addition, several of the communities have events going on that same weekend. 

Small Business Saturday November 24

Small Business Saturday is a welcome boon for the small business community. According to the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, an estimated 108 million consumers reported shopping at independently-owned businesses during last year's event. This translated into roughly $12 billion in reported spending.

Locally, chambers of commerce, business associations, shopping districts, and individual merchants can participate by creating an event or special deals for Saturday, November 24. Be sure to create a Facebook event and advertise your Small Business Saturday happenings on social media, on your website, and in your email newsletter.

Small Business Saturday Tools & Resources

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Social Media Post Options

Nov 24 is #SmallBizSat! Join us and celebrate small businesses everywhere. #ShopSmall and support the places you love.

#SmallBizSat is Nov 24! When we all #ShopSmall, we support the small businesses that unite our communities.

Celebrate your favorite small businesses and show your #ShopSmall love on #SmallBizSat this Nov 24. Visit ShopSmall.com.

#SmallBizSat is Nov 24. Come join us in celebrating the places we love. Learn more at ShopSmall.com. #AmexSBSChampion

#SmallBizSat is coming! Go to ShopSmall.com and see how you can join the celebration and support the #ShopSmall Movement.

#SmallBizSat is on Nov 24. Learn how to participate in this year's celebration by visiting ShopSmall.com. #ShopSmall

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Visit the ShopSmall.com Website for More Information

Of Interest

10 Reasons to Shop Local (Courtesy of Think Local First)

  • Shopping Local Creates Local Jobs. Locally owned businesses in our town create local employment. Local business people and their employees in turn spend their money in the local community.
  • Local Independent Shops Invest More in Our Communities. Local businesses are proportionately more generous in their support of local charities, schools, and community events. Support local shops means positive financial impact on your community.
  • Local Shops Sell a Wide Range of Great Products at Affordable Prices. Many people fall out of the habit of shopping locally and are then surprised by the range of products and gifts available.
  • Shopping Local Saves You Money. Out of town shops have done a good job of convincing us that local business equals expensive. If you add travel, fees to transfer items and your time, the overall cost is often much higher.
  • Shopping Local Retains Our Communities. People don’t like losing shops and services in small towns but don’t equate this to how they spend their money. Spending money at locally owned businesses keeps lots of fine businesses alive.
  • Shopping Local Retains Our Distinctiveness. Independent shops create distinctive shopping experiences and stock different products. Local businesses responds quickly to the needs of local customers, stocking products to meet the changing population needs.
  • Shopping Local Saves the Environment. Local shops often stock a high percentage of locally sourced goods, which do not require long car and bus journeys, helping reduce our carbon footprint.
  • Local Shops Are for Everyone. Most people can get to their local shops easily and this is especially important for the elderly and young generations and those without transportation.
  • Local Shops Value You More. Evidence from numerous surveys show people receive better customer care and service locally. These businesses survive by their reputation and repeat business, which means you get a higher standard of service.
  • Shopping Local Saves Services. Private and public sectors services tend to cluster around shops. As shops disappear so do hairdressers, banks, restaurants, etc.