You’ve probably heard about “Small Business Saturday.”
But how much do you really know about “SBS” and the “Shop Small” movement?
“It came to life five years ago, and was founded on this idea of supporting, rallying behind, and celebrating small businesses” says Nicole Leinbach Reyhle. The Owner and Publisher of Retail Minded.Com, Reyhle is a small business owner herself, and is serving this year as a national spokesperson for SMS.
SBS happens again this Saturday, November 29, 2014, the day after so-called “Black Friday.” The intent of SBS and the Shop Small movement is to encourage holiday gift shoppers to focus on locally owned small businesses in their communities and to direct their purchases to these local, independently owned ventures.
Reyhle’s business, Retail Minded.Com, touts great educational content and information for small business owners. “I’m such a big advocate for education for small business owners, and that’s what Retail Minded.Com is all about.”
Reyhle says her advocacy for SBS fits nicely with her own business, but also explains that a large banking institution – American Express was one of the founders of the movement. “The reason they did it was to bring life to these small business owners, and year after it’s gained more recognition. Last year alone, the Shop Small movement helped generate $5.7 billion in sales for independent merchants.”
Why should consumers participate in SBS, and the Shop Small movement? “I tell customers, you love the community where you live for a reason” Reyhle explains. “A lot of that is because of the charming local small businesses that line the local streets. They can’t survive without you giving them support. Not only does supporting these businesses help the local economy, they also support the vitality of our entire communities.”
For more info on Nicole, visit www.RetailMinded.Com
To participate in Small Business Saturday, visit www.ShopSmall.Com.
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