How to Celebrate Small Business Week
For over fifty years, small business owners and their employees have been celebrated for their constant contributions to our country’s economy during Small Business Week. This week sheds light on how significant local businesses are to those in their community.
As small business owners provide a large percentage of jobs for Americans every year, it’s important to celebrate small business week while also encouraging people to shop locally in order to keep these small businesses in production.
According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), more than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year.
On May 5th, the SBA will kick off Small Business Week and we’re here to help you celebrate! Whether you own a local business, are employed by one, or support them, here are 5 tips for how to participate.
How to Celebrate Small Business Week
1. Partner with another small business.
If you have a good relationship with any of the other small business owners in your area, why not team up to attract an even larger audience for you both? You and your staff should try to collaborate with other businesses that offer related services or any products that can complement each other well.
For example, if you own a small veterinary practice, you could partner up with the local pet shop and allow them to set up a display of pet food or toys in your office.
The pet store could then allow you to set up flyers around their store about booking an appointment with your practice and offer a discount to your clients.
This will not only help to increase exposure for both businesses, but it also builds relationships with other local owners. Hooray for small businesses supporting other small businesses!
2. Give thanks to your supporters.
Without your customers, would your business be able to thrive? Think about all the people in your community who have supported you for years and continue to do so. They’re the ones who purchase your products and services or show up when you have a community event.
These are the people that help make your business successful and small business week is the perfect opportunity to show them you appreciate their love and support.
If you want them to know how appreciative you are, here are a few ways to show them:
- Write thank you cards and give them to your customers.
- Provide regular customers with a discount.
- Send a free gift, such as a gift card.
- Email them a thank you note.
A little gratitude goes a long way and it’s important that your customers know that you value their patronage.
3. Celebrate your employees.
Your staff are the bread and butter of your business. They provide you with the help and support you need to keep your business running smoothly. Employee appreciation is great because it lets them know how vital their role is in keeping your business afloat and promotes employee retention.
You can celebrate your staff however you choose, but here are a few ideas if you aren’t sure how to show how thankful you are.
- Take them out for a company outing (lunch, a movie, etc.).
- Get them a gift.
- Host a party for your staff.
- Recognize their accomplishments by giving out promotions and awards.
- Give out handwritten thank you cards.
Your team helps to keep your local business up and running. So, make sure they understand that their hard work is valued as often as you can, but especially this week.
4. Host a networking event.
If you want to encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration among other local business owners, hosting a networking event is your chance. Through networking you can learn new things while also providing information about what you have to offer. This will help to increase brand awareness while also giving an insight to your work ethic.
If you want to encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration among other local business owners, hosting a networking event is your chance. Through networking, you can learn new things while also providing information about what you have to offer. This will help to increase brand awareness while also giving an insight to your work ethic.
Networking events can lead to new partnerships, new customers, or just generate more visibility for your business. Let others know you’re a leader and value the opportunity to build working relationships among like-minded individuals.
5. Share your story.
People love hearing about how hard work, failures, and triumphs when it comes to entrepreneurship. They want to know what you had to do to get where you are today and how you did it.
Tell your audience what motivated you to start your business in the first place. Don’t just keep it to yourself! Give them the inside scoop on why you decided to become a business owner and the uncut details about what you had to do in order to achieve your goals. This may inspire others that are looking to go into your field.
You can do this through a blog post, social media, or even an article in the local paper! Don’t be afraid to celebrate yourself and all you’ve accomplished.
Celebrate!
This week was specifically created to honor people like you who have decided to build a career on their own terms. You went above and beyond to create a business that you are proud of. You provide your loyal customers with products and services that they love and will continue to purchase time and time again.
Starting a business isn’t easy, so remember to celebrate yourself this week and all your successes. Happy National Small Business Week!
Want to learn more ways to encourage your staff and supporters in your local community?
Here are more resources to help your business.
7 Tips to Build Patient Loyalty
How to Inspire and Boost Employee Morale in the Office
