Recently in the American Express OPEN Category

By: Elise Mitchell
Chair, Small Business Saturday Coalition
President & CEO, Mitchell Communications Group

First there was Black Friday. Then, Cyber Monday. Now, Small Business Saturday, designated for Nov. 26 as a day for consumers across the United States to dedicate a portion of their holiday shopping dollars to local, independently owned, small businesses.

Small businesses play a vital role in our communities, complementing our many large enterprises with specialized products, a personal touch and incredible customer service. Through SBS, WIPP is championing local, independently owned businesses during the biggest shopping season of the year.

The purpose of this initiative is two-fold:

•         Drive consumers to think about how and where they spend their dollars.

•         Raise awareness for the value of shopping local - not just on SBS and with retailers, but all year and with any small business. 

SBS began last year thanks to the vision and sponsorship of American Express. As a leading grassroots organization, WIPP plays a key role in leading the SBS Coalition, a national network of nearly 200 organizations that reach more than 6 million business and community leaders nationwide. The coalition has two focuses:

•         Encourage small businesses to participate in SBS.

•         Invite consumers to shop local on Nov. 26.

 

Here's how you can help activate SBS in your own community:

First, spread the word.

•             Tell your congressional representatives about SBS and what it means to us. 

•             Talk about SBS with your local chambers and elected officials. 

•             Ask your mayor to proclaim Nov. 26 as SBS in your community. 

•             Use your circle of influence to talk up SBS with your friends and share details online, particularly through FB and Twitter.

 

Second, help us benefit small business.

•             Encourage local businesses in your community to participate in SBS. 

•             Direct business owners to facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturday, where they can download a toolkit complete with printable signage, free Facebook advertising for 10,000 small businesses, social media tools, logos, and a press release to market their business for the big day and align with the national branding campaign American Express is rolling out.

 

Third, and most importantly, shop local!

When you shop local, your impact is big. Local businesses across the country are making a difference every day by creating jobs, bringing new products to market and serving the needs of consumers everywhere. 

Together, we can grow the SBS success story, this year and for years to come.

 

Facebook Posts

First there was Black Friday. Then, Cyber Monday. Now, Small Business Saturday, designated for Nov. 26. Learn more about how to "Small Business Saturday" in your community. [link to: Activate 'Small Business Saturday' in your community]

 Here is a step-by-step guide on how to support small businesses in your community. [link to: Activate 'Small Business Saturday' in your community]

Tweets

Learn more about #SmallBizSaturday here [link to: Activate 'Small Business Saturday' in your community].

Did you know 73% of consumers consciously shop at small businesses in their community because they do not want them to go away?  #SmallBizSaturday

Recently American Express OPEN launched a new OPEN Insight Guide to help women business owners secure government contracts.

The OPEN Insight Guide, Government Contracting: Women in Procurement offers tips, advice, and suggestions for women business owners. Within the guide, you'll find:

 - Excerpts from a roundtable discussion with government-contracting experts and small business owners who have experience in government contracting

 - A list of eligible industries

 - Interview with Ann Sullivan, head of government relations for Women Impacting Public Policy

 - List of resources for women in government contracting

 - Checklist for the program's eligibility requirements

A recent study from American Express found that more than two thirds of the women-owned companies that secure federal contracts generate more than $1 million in sales. Whether you're new to government contracting or an experienced contractor, the information in this new OPEN Insight Guide will help you grow your business through government contacting opportunities.
 

Thank you all for your great response.  Small Business Saturday will change the dynamics of small businesses and their communities nationwide because of you!  I appreciate and thank all of you who have promised:

1. To encourage friends and family to shop at local merchants November 27th;

2. Write blogs and tweeted about this great project; and

3. Speak to your local newspapers encouraging them to write about this.

Now, I have three other "asks" for you:

1. Please contact your local Councilmen/Supervisors/City Trustees/elected officials - tell them about Small Business Saturday and ask them to help us build our local economies and support our small business owners;

2. Please reach out to your Mayor - this is a perfect opportunity for him or her to issue a Proclamation and declare November 27th Small Business Saturday; and

3. Go to Facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday and show your support! Share Small Business Saturday's posts on your OWN profile and encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same.

I greatly appreciate all of your help and support.   If you have other ideas for WIPP, please let us know.  If you have any questions, please contact Oriana at ocamacho@wipp.org.

The response has been incredible! Thank you all for your messages of support for this great initiative. Small Business Saturday will be a day to remember because of you.  

Let your friends and neighbors, business associates and colleagues all know that November 27th is our day - the day to show our respect and our commitment to our local communities and to small business growth. We can make this happen. 

You can visit www.facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturday to learn more, join the Movement, spread the word and give a shout out to your favorite local stores and restaurants. Visit www.wipp.org for additional details.

We know that Small Businesses are always stronger when we reach out and support one another - for each individual small business success is our mutual success. That's our credo at WIPP - that's why the instructors for Give Me 5, Women Accessing Capital, Entrepreneurs, Energy & Environment and Women And Technology Today, all successful, accomplished businesswomen and WIPP members, are committed to helping you and helping our community grow stronger.

Now we have another opportunity to strengthen our community. Saturday, November 27th is the first ever Small Business Saturday, and our chance to help small business owners in our local communities. While Black Friday and Cyber Monday drive sales to national chains and online realtors, November 27th is our day. It is our chance to put words into action and drive sales to the independent business owners in our areas. We have worked together countless times to ensure that policies set in Washington provide solutions for us, now let's work together to support one another and grow our businesses.

Across the country, let's spread the word and visit our local merchants, build our local economies and preserve our neighborhoods. Did you know...For every $100 spent in locally-owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures?

On Small Business Saturday, let's commit to doing business with one another. When the dollars are tabulated on November 27th - let's make sure that that it is a record day for small business.

Through our partnership with American Express OPEN, the division of card products and services devoted exclusively to small business owners, WIPP invites you to join a national Movement to help drive business to small business.

You can visit facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturday to learn more, join the Movement, spread the word and give a shout out to your favorite local stores and restaurants. You can also visit www.wipp.org for additional details.

Let's make this a day to celebrate small business!