Choose Small: Why Small Businesses Deserve Our Support

If you hadn't heard yet, May 4th-8th is National Small Business Week! At Constant Contact, every week is Small Business Week. But we especially love this week for the national spotlight it shines on small businesses.
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If you hadn't heard yet, May 4th-8th is National Small Business Week! At Constant Contact, every week is Small Business Week. But we especially love this week for the national spotlight it shines on small businesses. I've had the pleasure of working with small businesses for more than 15 years and not a day goes by that I'm not inspired by what they do - for themselves, for their families, and for all of us.

There's Nothing Small about Today's Small Businesses
They are the lifeblood of the American economy. Nearly twenty-eight million strong, they employ more than 56 million workers and create two out of every three new jobs in America. Think about that for a moment. That's 99.7 percent of all employers nationally, with more than 50 percent of all Americans under their employment.

In celebration of National Small Business Week, let's give our small business owners a round of applause. Even better, I hope that you'll get out and support your local small businesses, not just this week, but every week.

Everybody Wins When We Support Small Businesses
Simply put, small businesses create rich, diverse, and enticing Main Streets and city blocks. It's fun to stroll down the block and take in all that the small businesses in our communities offer. And let's face it, while the big chains might offer a bit of convenience with their one-click buying options, who really wants big box shop after big box shop taking over their neighborhoods - it's a virtual sea of "same old." If you want the truly unique and delightful, look to your local small businesses.

Small business owners also have the passion and customer centricity that big businesses can't compete with. It shines through in a customer experience second to none. When you love what you do, it shows. Go check out some local businesses and you'll see what I mean. Small business owners greet you when you walk in the door. They go out of their way to make real, personal connections with you. They provide thoughtful advice and recommendations based on your specific needs. They create what I call "wow" moments day in and day out, moments that simply can't be matched by those big chains.

It's no different for your business needs. When you choose a small business to provide a service - whether that's an accountant, lawyer, marketing consultant, or whatever - you aren't one of hundreds of clients. Your business matters, and that business owner is going to go the extra mile to make sure you know it. Not only because they want to do a great job, but also because they know that if they do well for you, you'll tell other people. Those referrals are gold.

And don't forget: when you buy from local businesses, you stimulate the local economy and put more money back into your own pocket. More local sales mean more local taxes, which support your local schools, parks, roads, fire departments, police, and other town services. In fact, for every $100 that is spent at a small business, $45 stays locally.

Finally, startups, another type of small business, also bring innovation to their community and attract even more talent to the innovation ecosystem. Whether they're building a better mousetrap or are on a mission to disrupt an entire industry, small businesses bring news ways of thinking and doing to our communities. Then, as they grow, they attract other like-minded talent who add even more value to the business and the community, bringing the cycle full circle.

If you're among the ranks of the small business pioneers changing the face of business, take a bow and accept our collective gratitude for creating jobs, inspiring innovation, and fueling our economy.

For the rest of us, remember, your choices matter. Choose small. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Happy Small Business Week.

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