SMALL Business Saturday® – It’s a BIG Deal!

Tucked in between Black Friday, which we celebrate by camping out in front of Best Buy and Wal-Mart so we can be first in line to knock down grandma over the latest junk no one needs, and Cyber Monday, where we spend the day at work surfing the Internet for deals on the latest junk no one needs, there is a very important recent addition that is quickly gaining popularity called Small Business Saturday®.

Small Business Saturday®. So why is this a big deal? Who really cares, anyway? Isn’t it easier to just go to a mega-store and find everything in one place (at 1:00 in the morning)?

“Small businesses are the foundation of our economy – half of America’s workers either own or work for a small business,” according to U.S. Small Business Administration Regional Administrator Calvin Goings. “Small Business Saturday® is an opportunity to show our support for our friends and neighbors who throughout the year are growing our local economy, as well as supporting many local initiatives and organizations.”

Small businesses have generated 64 percent of net new jobs over the past 15 years and employ over half of all private sector employees. That’s a big deal, as I said.

Now don’t get me wrong – I don’t have anything against Best Buy or Wal-Mart – they have their place in our lives and in our economy. (While I know not everyone agrees, I think they do.) But in this nation of gross over-consumption, particularly during this time of year, pause and take a moment to think about what you’re buying, where it comes from, who makes it, and whom you’re helping (or not helping) with your purchase. I think you’ll agree that the local book stores, bakeries, gift shops, artists, brewers, wine makers, etc. deserve a portion of your holiday budget as well as the big boys. Of course, if you want to spend ALL of your holiday budget on small businesses, that’s OK too!

Ed Leckert Images Shop Small Digital Banner for Small Business Saturday

OK, so how am I involved in Small Business Saturday®? Well, for both of you who’ve read this far, I have special deal for you for being loyal readers of my blog. If you know me, you know I don’t normally do specials, but this Saturday, November 30^th, and this Saturday ONLY, if you place an order for any Fine Art photographic prints on my web site, I’ll give you 20% off your entire purchase.

First, go to my Image Gallery page and browse through my various galleries. Click the shopping cart icon below an image and that will take you to the product page for that image, where you can choose the size and framing option you like. Then use the code THINKSMALL when you check out. And if you’re local to Seattle and want to save on shipping, choose “Washington (Local Pickup)” as your shipping state. Or choose “Cash” rather than “Paypal” as your payment option and I’ll remove the shipping when we meet.

So what am I doing on November 30^th for Small Business Saturday®? Well, first I’ll go to my favorite Mom & Pop (literally!) grocery store in Issaquah, Champion Grocery. After that I might visit the Gemini Fish Market or Fischer Meats for fresh dinner items. Then maybe I’ll visit our local art center, artEAST, for some gift ideas. And, of course, there’s always the Issaquah Brewhouse for fine Northwest microbrews or the Jak’s Grill or Sunset Alehouse for excellent dinner options. And finally, perhaps I’ll check out Confetti Cupcakes for dessert before heading to Amante’s Pizza and Pasta or Vino Bella Wine & Espresso Bar for some live music.

Phew! Looks like it’s going to be a busy Saturday! I’m going to need some help, so come on out for Small Business Saturday® and give me a hand!