The season of giving is finally here! This time of year holds a great opportunity to start exploring which local businesses you can support. If you are looking to shop for the holidays in a way that makes a positive impact on your community, look no further. This Saturday, November 26, 2022, join in on the Small Business Saturday fun.
Small Business Saturday takes place every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. If you’re already familiar with or active in Black Friday shopping, consider adding Small Business Saturday to your calendar.
What is Small Business Saturday?
Small Business Saturday is a nationally observed holiday that recognizes, celebrates, and supports small businesses and the contributions they make to their communities. This holiday was founded in 2010 by American Express and in 2011, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) became an official cosponsor. Since then, Small Business Saturday has played a vital role in bringing more attention to small businesses during the most vibrant holiday shopping season. This is a time to encourage shoppers to support local brick-and-mortar and online independent businesses instead of big-box brands or other large corporations. It is especially critical to support small businesses this year as they continue to recover from the negative effects of the pandemic.
Why Shopping Small Matters
There is something special about buying from a small, local business rather than a large corporation. Shopping small allows you to directly support individual owners and put a face to the name. It feels satisfying knowing you can make a difference in your local community by supporting small businesses.
When you shop from your local businesses, you are also supporting your local community. Civic Economics reported that on average, 48% of revenue generated at local, independently owned businesses is recirculated locally, compared to only 13.6% from chain retailers. Individuals who spend locally generate more local wealth for their community.
OCIE SBDC’s Role
We at the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center strive to provide solutions and opportunities for all small businesses to become successful. We are thrilled to announce the launch of over 100 new businesses this Saturday through our MADE and California Shop Small programs. For all of our program participants, this Saturday, they will be making their first sale at a vendor booth or online on a California-branded eCommerce platform.
Shop from New Small Businesses
In addition to shopping from your current local businesses, shop from new small businesses and help them make their first sale! This Small Business Saturday, we are celebrating the launch of 100+ new small businesses with a MADE Gradutaion and California Shop Small Virtual Launch Party.
The MADE Graduation is happening at The Original O.C. Swap Meet on Saturday, November 26 at 9 AM, where there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the official opening of all the new businesses. You can show your support by stopping by to shop from their vendor booths that are filled with various unique products that will make great gifts.
Our California Shop Small Virtual Launch Party is happening at ociesbdc.org/ca-shop-small-launch on Saturday, November 26 at 1:30 PM, where participants will share their journey and officially launch their online businesses on californiashopsmall.com. Once officially launched, you’ll be able to browse and shop for yourself and pick out great gifts for your loved ones.
About the Programs
MADE is a four-week all-encompassing program designed to help small business owners fine-tune and launch their businesses. During this program, you learn how to plan, market, and finance your business to make your dreams a reality. In addition to learning what it takes to run a business, MADE allows you to operate an O.C. Market Place vendor booth.
For more information on how you can be part of the next MADE program, visit: ociesmallbusiness.org/programs/made
California Shop Small is a six-week program created to help product-based aspiring or existing business owners sell online. During this program, you learn how to get your business online, reach new customers, and increase sales on a local, regional, and national scale. After completing the program, you gain access to sell on californiashopsmall.com.
For more information on how you can be part of the next California Shop Small program, visit: ociesmallbusiness.org/programs/ca-shop-small
Looking to start or grow your business?
We at the Orange County Inland Empire SBDC, are here to help you with every aspect of your business to help it grow and become successful. Give us a call at 1-800-616-7232 or schedule a quick, 15-minute intake appointment at ociesbdc.org/consultation to see how we can help you start, grow, and succeed.
