U.S. Small Business Administration Arizona District Reminds Us to Shop Local

Over the past something months, small business has suffered, and, while COVID 19 isn’t completely gone, Spring, from those issues, has begun to appear on our doorstep.  While we look forward to that, we still worry about where small businesses will re-engage in acts of celebration, and of sharing, and create an even deeper significance in our local communities.  Hopefully, our holiday celebrations will have a more of a normalcy to them because our values remain unchanged.

This is the season of caring, and also the season of giving.  We each look for ways to ease suffering and connect with our loved ones, even if we were doing it from 2,000 miles away, over a computer screen.  That is probably the only good thing to come out of the COVID19 months and years.  Meeting technology has vastly improved.

While we care for our neighbors by donating meals and gifts and prepare the same for our families, we urge you to make those purchases from local small businesses.

Arizona’s small businesses are the backbone of our economy and, the heartbeat of our communities.  The impact of the pandemic has been particularly difficult on many of our small businesses.  And still, small business owners continue to demonstrate their resilience and commitment to meet the moment before them.

As the world changed, almost overnight, small business owners pivoted just as quickly to offer new modes of purchase, went virtual and looked after the well-being of their employees, customers, and communities.  Now more than ever, small businesses need our support as they navigate, retool and further pivot to endure through these later transition months, and beyond.

Celebrated each year, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday is a way for us to support independently owned businesses. When we shop small on Saturday, November 25, we are making a statement and our purchases are making a difference.

Here are five ways to thank a small business this holiday season:

1. Go virtual.  Small retailers have made shopping both safe and convenient through delivery and curb-side pickup.  Visit the websites of your favorite small businesses to complete your purchases.  The beauty of virtual is that it could be from a small business from last summer’s vacation three states away.
2. Buy gift cards. These are offered by local cafes, restaurants, and breweries for take-out or to save for later use.  Just like retailers, food and beverage businesses offer safe and easy online ordering and curbside pick-up.
3. Support the arts.  Visit the websites of your favorite local music and theatre organizations to purchase tickets to virtual concerts and performances.
4. Get social (media). Share and engage with social media content from your favorite small business in order to boost their online marketing efforts.  Also, be sure to leave a positive online review.
5. Go local. Visit the website of local chambers of commerce to find a directory of small businesses.  While there, look for how to join them for their celebration of Small Business Saturday and the holiday season.

This holiday season, take care, stay safe, and support small business.

Robert Blaney is the District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Arizona District. Blaney has served as the district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration for the State of Arizona since 1998. His varied experience includes work as a federal agent, police officer, vice-president of an insurance brokerage and district director for the late Congressman Jack Kemp. He is a native of western New York and a graduate of the State University of New York Buffalo State University.

Debbie Hann is the Chief Executive Officer of the Arizona Small Business Association. Hann managed a $250 million IBM product line inventory and led marketing efforts for a $6 billion business unit at MicroAge Computer Centers and MicroAge Business Development Group. Transitioning into the realm of entrepreneurship, Debbie orchestrated impressive growth for her own small business, scaling it from $1.8 million to $3 million in just four years. Debbie’s dedication to supporting small businesses endured as she devoted 14 years to ASBA. As CEO of ASBA, she contributes her wealth of expertise to empower entrepreneurs and foster their success. Beyond her professional endeavors, Debbie, an Indiana native, finds fulfillment in her family life and indulges in personal interests, including gardening, and hands-on DIY projects.