Today is Small Business Saturday.
This event, sponsored by American Express, is intended to be, 'A day to come together in support of the small businesses we love. The shops and restaurants that employ our neighbors and reinvest our money close to home. The businesses that are the heartbeat of our communities and local economies.'
As a small business owner, married to a small business owner, I cannot support this effort strongly enough! In my community, at least, it can be difficult to even find small businesses to support. There is no shortage of 'big box' stores, but the quintessential 'mom and pop' places have often closed down when the pricing competition got to intense to make a profit.
I, for one, will be seeking out small businesses to support today. I think it is a worthy effort. I do, however, think it is ironic that American Express is sponsoring the effort. As a very long-time (and loyal) customer of American Express, I am well aware that the very folks supported by this effort are those who often cannot afford to use American Express in their businesses. It is a brilliant PR move, but I wonder if it will actually result in increased use of American Express in small businesses? At the end of the day, the margins in a small business are just so tight.
You can join the effort on Facebook, too, and promote Small Business Saturday among your friends on Facebook.
For all you small business owners out there, I wish you great success today, this holiday season and in 2011!
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