By Catherine Lang Cline
The head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Linda McMahan, announced that National Small Business Week will be held from May 5-11, 2019. So, let’s celebrate what makes small businesses so great!
If you have ever shopped at a small business you probably already know that the customer service is great. The owners take every customer, everything they sell, every dollar, very personally. This business is something that feeds their family, pays their mortgage, and keeps the electric on in their home and business. It also builds a strong community. But according to Forbes, did you also know that:
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Currently, there are 28 million American small businesses, which account for 54% of all U.S. sales. (That is some serious impact.)
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A strong network of local funds enables individuals and businesses within a community to support each other and build the community.
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Small business owners are experts in their industries. They sacrificed time, money, and more to build businesses out of their passions.
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Small businesses can provide one-on-one service that is often impossible for large corporations.
Now as one of those people who owns a small business I can tell you that we are not only aware of the above numbers, we try and improve those every day. For us, we are trying to make a difference every day; for our community, our families, and for ourselves. Small businesses were the first to offer gluten-free foods in our small bakeries, offer you services for coaching, organizing, and taking the hand-off for things you needed to delegate. We fix phones, wash cars, offer you your own personal expertise in so many areas.
Some people prefer the convenience of a large box store, maybe they prefer the price. It is a choice. But during the week of May 5, try shopping at a few small businesses. Then keep on shopping with small businesses. What you will find is that you are ultimately investing in your community, investing in a personal experience, investing in someone’s dream.
Everything is good about that.
