State’s Principal Provider of Business Assistance Encourages Small Business, Community Participation November 25th
Florida SBDC Network Headquarters (Pensacola, Fla.) – The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, the state’s principal provider of small business assistance, is proud to support Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting small businesses and raising awareness of their impact on Florida’s economy.
Created by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday serves as the ceremonial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for small businesses across the United States. In 2016, an estimated 112 million consumers reported shopping at small businesses on Small Business Saturday, spending an estimated $15.4 billion as reported in the 2016 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey. The day was also championed by elected officials in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
In alignment with its mission, the Florida SBDC Network recognizes the importance of supporting small businesses, the jobs they help create, and the culture they instill in local communities. According to the U.S. Small Businesses Administration, Florida’s 2.4 million small businesses account for 99.8 percent of all businesses in the state and employ nearly half of the state’s private-sector workforce.
“Small Business Saturday has become a national movement to support and celebrate the role and impact of small businesses on our economy,” said Michael Myhre, CEO and Network State Director of the Florida SBDC. “This Small Business Saturday, and throughout the holiday season, anyone can make a difference by shopping small.”
The Florida SBDC Network was founded at the University of West Florida in 1976 as one of eight original SBDC pilot programs in the country. Starting with only two employees and service centers in Northwest Florida, the Florida SBDC Network has since grown to become the state’s principal small business assistance organization, with over 40 offices and nearly 250 employees across the state providing the tools, training, and expertise small businesses need to grow and succeed.
In support of Small Business Saturday, Florida SBDCS across the state are promoting the event through social media and other platforms to encourage small businesses’ participation and shoppers’ support.
Small businesses may visit ShopSmall.com/YourDay to create free, customizable promotional material for their store, website, and social media. Small businesses can also find inspiration on how to make the most of the day through articles and videos on ShopSmall.com, or by contacting their local Florida SBDC.
Small businesses and consumers can learn more about Small Business Saturday and how to get involved by visiting www.ShopSmall.com.
About Small Business Saturday:
November 25th marks the eighth annual Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting the local businesses that can help create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Small Business Saturday was created by American Express in 2010 in response to small business owners’ most pressing need: more customers. Learn more on ShopSmall.com, instagram.com/shopsmall, facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday, twitter.com/shopsmall.
Estimates are based on consumer self-reported data from the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey by National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and American Express (November 27, 2016) and do not reflect actual receipts or sales.
