Support Small Business on Nov. 26

Though small businesses employ half of the country’s workers and created 65 percent of new jobs between 1993 and 2009, many are quick to run to corporate retailers for Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals.

 “You can walk down any Main Street in any small town or medium-sized city and see that what’s predominately on those streets are small businesses,” said Kevin Nunn, executive director of the White Plains Business Improvement District. “Smaller businesses give your community the sense of place. Those are the stores that provide the ambiance, feel and character of your streets and downtown.”

Small businesses now have their own day between the two shopping holidays thanks to American Express OPEN, the company’s small business division. The second Small Business Saturday will be held on Nov. 26 “to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country,” an American Express press release says.

American Express is offering its customers, who register their American Express cards and spend $25 at a small business on Nov. 26, a $25 credit on their statement. Click here to register.

FedEx Corp. also donated $1 million to the “Shop Small Gift Card,” program that gave away 30,000 free Shop-Small American Express gift cards for $25 each to consumers through a Facebook Promotion, which is expired. 

American Express also launched a social media campaign to help small businesses promote their enterprise by offering free Facebook advertisements, social media tips and print promotional materials. Small Businesses will get 20 percent off when they use FedEx Office Print Online through Nov. 26. Click here for more information.

“Nine in 10 Americans believe small business is critical to the health of the U.S. economy, and Small Business Saturday translates this sentiment into dollars and cents for independent retailers,” said Maryann Fitzmaurice, senior-vice president of American Express Open, in a press release.

According to the United States Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, small firms represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms; employ about half of private sector employees; pay 43 percent of the total U.S. private payroll; are 52 percent home-based and 2 percent franchise; and spend 36 percent more per employee than larger firms to comply with federal regulations (4 and half times as much per employee for environmental regulations, and three times more on tax compliance).

“Chances are they [small businesses] are employing people from the local community,” said Nunn. “There’s a multiplier effect. These businesses will also do business amongst themselves, so it’s [supporting local business] really helping to keep your local community strong.” 

Karen Leone of Expressions, at 549 Warburton Ave. in Hastings-on-Hudson, first heard about Small Business Saturday last year.

According to the press release, 1.5 million Facebook users, 130 public and private organizations and 41 elected officials supported Small Business Saturday 2010. More than 100,000 small businesses downloaded the marketing material; 10,000 signed up for free Facebook ads and 200,000 consumers registered their cards for the $25 credit. Small retailers who accept American Express saw a 28 percent increase in sales during last year’s event, when compared the same day in 2009. 

“I think it’s awesome,” said Leone, who opened her shop in the village four years ago. “I mean honestly, it’s a win-win. You spend $25, and you get $25. It costs you nothing. I registered my own card!”

 Leone has been telling her customers about Small Business Saturday and plans to promote the event with signage provided on the initiative’s Facebook page.

“Yes, I do think last year [Small Business Saturday 2010] helped,” said Leone. “I think this year it will probably be even better. It gives incentives for people to not shop at big stores, and allows people to make the effort to come to a local village store to shop on a day they might run to P.C. Richards.”

Check out facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday or smallbusinesssaturday.com learn about how you can support Small Business Saturday.