Small Business Measures Up
As part of National Small Business Week, Sunday May 2nd to Saturday 8th - Michigan plus forty-nine states celebrate, support and recognize essential services of business owners across the country. You are not late to join in the celebration this week. Entrepreneurs who are truly valued along with trusted businesses, are considered a driving force that keep our communities thriving. Their steadfast energy and commitment to serve the public is the heartbeat that sustain America on the move! Small business in the context of its impact on America’s workforce, is not ‘small change or small potatoes.’ Especially if you ask the entrepreneur/business owner.
To own and operate what most of us term small business, requires big business thinking, planning and a stick-to-it drive. Those who manage to meet the various challenges of business ownership - overcoming obstacles achieving success - usually have a work ethic that is extraordinary. Often small business owners will tell you that startup, and having needed human resource support to delegate - was not a sure thing. Their big business workload wasn’t always shared. They’ll tell you its hard work - most of the time long hours for them, which continued after closing. The turn off switch get lost for so many people choosing the small business path. United States Small Business Administration has highlighted contributions of valuable small business and entrepreneurs since 1963, thus we celebrate National Small Business Week. How can you as a consumer or a business owner promote and celebrate? As a proprietor support other small business & entrepreneurs. Make connections, share information on services, and build product/services alliances. Engage with a ‘each one reach one’ spirit of operation. Here are (7) seven ways consumers and owners can celebrate and rally small business in their communities.
Continue Consumer Loyalty - While many of us have slowed down face-to-face on-site business contacts - regular online shopping has become routine. A natural way of making transactions. Go to your favorite local shops website this week and make your purchases. Merchants you know personally, or not - send a thank you card to show you recognize and appreciate their commitment to great service. It will also highlight that you do care. Plus that you acknowledge National Small Business Week, and its worthiness of observation.
On social media put up a post that gives awareness of small business celebration week. Share a significant experience where great service was provided.
Business owner - post a blog about how you value those who keep you in business. The loyal folks who choose your service(s) or product(s). Genuine and kind words of appreciation to valuable consumers can go a long way to keep people returning, as well as attracting new ones. Folks need to at the very least…feel like where they spend their coins or key in their secure credit/debit card information - see them as a real person. Also, consumers hope that the company they choose to patronize, understand the consumer’s perspective. That is be appreciative and respect that their monetary purchases are impactful to the company’s livelihood & bottom-line.
Offer National Small Business Week incentives & discounts as promotional attractions. Online or onsite where appropriate, people always perk up on a good deal!
Celebrate your employees by giving them a special gift. Whether working remote or onsite gifts such as a gift card, gift package, a specialty designed mask to name a few. Also, practical items like a travel coffee cup, snack box, table/desk coasters. Fun gifts can work too!
Loyal customers can send their local favorite small business a fresh floral arrangement with a complimentary note attached.
Post a brief video on social media in story expression how a business started. How it since continues to grow because of great patrons and well-wishers! Show meaningful photos of engagement activities & special event celebrations at the business as bonus.
There’s no real business without the hand of some small (big) business/entrepreneurial. It is their contributions, foresight & underpinning that greases the wheels of a flourishing economy.
Best Regards,
Eartha L. DeYampert