Small Business Saturday is the brain child of American Express. According to their website: “It began in 2010 when American Express founded Small Business Saturday to help small businesses get more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year.” Situated between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, its purpose is to promote small local businesses by helping them compete against the “big guys.”

How Important is it to Support Small Business?

Small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy. They create more jobs than larger industries, they directly support and impact local communities, and they’re proof of the American dream. The Score shared this — “According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there were nearly 28 million small businesses in the United States last year. Over the past two decades, they created 65 percent of net new jobs. Directly supporting the communities in which we live, every $100 spent in locally-owned, independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures, according to the small business advocacy group The 3/50 Project.”

What Impact has Small Business Saturday Made?

American Express states: “Last year over 100 million people decided to Shop Small for the big day.” They expect it to be bigger this year. November 30th, 2013, will be a banner day for small business in the USA, but it doesn’t end there. When shoppers are introduced to local retailers who fill niches on a more personal level than many corporations or online providers—relationships are built. And, when shoppers find hidden gems, they’re likely to share their discoveries with friends.

Mark Your Calendar and Spread the Word

Save Saturday, November 30th to support your local small business. Supporting them is supporting your community. Are you a small business participating in Small Business Saturday? If so, please leave a comment and share what you have planned. We’ll do our best to help promote your efforts. If you’d like to create a buzz about Small Business Saturday in your locale, visit the American Express site, and use #ShopSmall. Like what you’re reading? Join us on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus, and let’s continue the conversation.