Like many others this holiday season, I’m all about supporting small business owners, putting my money where my mouth is and truly getting behind the brands and creatives I love.
Even big brands are getting in on the shopping-small game, like American Express whose Small Business Saturday campaign has changed the shopping landscape. Despite the pandemic, consumers last year spent a record $19.8 billion on Small Business Saturday—that figure blows the $10.8 billion spent on Cyber Monday over that same weekend out of the water.
This year, Small Business Saturday is on Saturday, November 27, 2021. 📅
And while that day is important, very important, it’s integral to commit to shopping small throughout the holiday season (and the entire year).
The good news? It’s easier than ever to browse and shop from small businesses, with many having been busy stepping up their digital marketplaces, something we know a lot about (keep reading to see two of our favorites).
If there’s anything the last 18 months have shown us, it’s the power of flexibility and fast-paced change. As a small business owner myself, it’s been remarkable to witness the ingenuity and creativity of my favorite shops, boutiques, and restaurants.
For those of us in business, the passion for creating thoughtful client experiences runs deep.
So, whether you’re a small business owner or a caring consumer choosing to support the small businesses you love, here are six reasons to shop small.
Six Reasons to Shop with Your Favorite Small Businesses
- You’re supporting a creator and their family.
There’s something beautiful about purchasing a gift from someone you know, or at least someone you’ve heard about from friends or on Instagram. Whether it’s an entrepreneur who sponsors a little league team in your hometown or someone who goes to your gym, they’re a person who has a dream and is working hard each day towards achieving it. By shopping small, you’re supporting that entrepreneur, their family, and their dreams.
2. You’re keeping your money local.
Shopping locally is an economic superpower. 💰
Need proof? American Express estimates that for every dollar spent at a small business in the United States, 67 cents stay in the local community. By shopping small, you’re helping to boost businesses in your own backyard and promoting a healthier local economy.
3. You’re expressing your thoughtfulness with unique gifts.
One of my favorite gifts from last year was the gift of a clean car. I’m talking inside and outside; a complete professional detail you’d never get at home. What a luxury.
While a car wash is not likely something you’d think about for a holiday gift, this busy mom of two teens absolutely loved it. So go on, stretch your gift-giving prowess and support niche entrepreneurs in your community.
4. You’re creating a meaningful connection.
Is there anything better than sharing a warm, uplifting story with a loved one? When you give a gift from a local brand or small business, you can cultivate a deeper connection with the person you’re gifting to. Maybe they’ve never heard of the boutique or experienced a product like the one you chose. Introducing someone to a brand you love is special, and paired with a heartfelt gift, it makes the holiday season that much more memorable. 🎁
5. You’re avoiding long lines and scare tactics.
Have you ever waited for one special thing at a local big box store on Black Friday or any weekend leading up to Christmas? Yeah, it’s a whole experience. 😒 The short tempers, extreme wait times, and all the hustle and bustle.
Years ago, I started swapping big blocks of time at a crowded nearby mall for small pockets of time spent inside some of my favorite shops. It’s a much calmer and soul-nourishing experience—and one I look forward to time and time again.
6. You’re receiving great customer service.
A friendly welcome. A warm smile. Chipper small talk. Guided help you actually want to say yes to. All of these little joys are part of a shopping experience only felt at your local bookstore, coffee shop, or boutique. Even if you buy online from your favorite small business, the experience is so different from the generic confirmation email you receive from the big box store. It’s the little touches that make such a big impact.
Small Business Spotlight
Speaking of small businesses we love—and the creative entrepreneurs behind them—here are two stunning online boutique brands to support this holiday season. 💻
Looking for a vintage-inspired handbag to gift? Then look no further than American Glory Style. Crossbody bags, bucket bags, and cosmetic bags are some of their most popular products. Bonus: the owner, Gina Konn, is a real gem.
If you have a health-conscious someone on your list, Bloom+Reveal is your go-to brand. Gift their soothing teas for cozy evenings, or share their gentle-yet-powerful skincare products. For the nature lovers in your life, they’ve got some interesting first-aid options, too—check out their insect repellent or after-sun balm. Whatever you choose, don’t forget to gift one to yourself, too.
If you love the visual impact of these brands and the overall ease of their websites, well, thanks! Both of these sites were designed by the talented team here at brandiD.
The Trend of Shopping Small
Now that’s a statistic we can all get behind. As you write your holiday gifting list—and review the ever-changing Santa 🎅wishes your kids shout out mid carpool lane—consider shopping small (while staying on budget, of course).
With the National Retail Federation projecting that holiday spending has the potential to shatter previous records (they’re forecasting that holiday sales during November and December will grow between 8.5 percent and 10.5 percent over 2020), my hope is we all do our best to keep more of those dollars in the hands of small business owners.
“When you buy from a small business, an actual person does a little happy dance.”
– Anonymous
Cheers to more little happy dances. 💃
About The Author
Rachel Gogos is a multi-passionate entrepreneur with a strong desire to help people by creating strong personal brands and businesses. She’s personally launched dozens of books, e-products, and services; and hundreds of products and services with her clients. She started her career at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, where she helped create the look and feel for the organization’s first website.
Today, in her current role running brandiD, Rachel channels over 15 years of marketing and communications experience into each and every website for brandiD’s clients. She loves to elevate small businesses.
Learn more about Rachel and brandiD.
And be on the lookout for her brand new podcast, The Business of You—it’s launching in December.