• Florida SBDC Network Bolsters State’s Economy

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    November 27, 2024
     
     
     
     
    Media Contact: 
    Dianne Fazio
    (850) 898-3486 
    dfazio@uwf.edu
     
    Press Release
    November 25, 2024
    For Immediate Release
     
     
    Florida SBDC Network Encourages Small Business Saturday Support, Participation
     
     
     
    Florida SBDC Network State Office (Pensacola, Fla.) – The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, the state’s principal provider of small business assistance, encourages small businesses to participate in Small Business Saturday, which will be held Saturday, November 30, and urges consumers to support small businesses during this day and throughout the holiday season. 
     
     
     
    Created by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday serves as the ceremonial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for small businesses across the United States. Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses and strengthening communities across the country.
    
    In 2023, U.S. reported projected spending among customers who shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday reached an estimated $17 billion according to the 2023 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey commissioned by American Express. Additionally, of those surveyed, 61% strongly agree that they found a small business or independently owned restaurant on Small Business Saturday where they are likely to return and become a regular customer. 
     
    “When you shop small, you’re doing more than making a purchase—you’re investing in your neighbors and strengthening your community,” said Greg Britton, state director of the Florida SBDC Network. “The Florida SBDC Network invites everyone to support local businesses by shopping small this Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season.”
     
    The Florida SBDC encourages consumers to consider shopping small this holiday season. Some reasons to shop small include:
     
    • More money stays in your community when you shop small
    • It can offer a better shopping experience
    • You can find more unique gifts
     
    The network encourages small businesses to consider participating in Small Business Saturday. Some ways to participate include:
     
    • Visiting ShopSmall.com to download customizable marketing materials, including storefront signage, website banners, and social posts
    • Partnering with other small businesses in your community
    • Considering offering a special discount or promotion
    • Encouraging customers to participate through social media and email marketing
     
    Small businesses and consumers may learn more about Small Business Saturday and how to get involved by visiting ShopSmall.com. 
     
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    About Shop Small:
    Shop Small is a nationwide movement founded by American Express to ignite passion for small businesses, highlight the valuable contribution they make to their communities and the economy, and encourage shoppers to support them. Shop Small celebrates small businesses ranging from retail stores and restaurants to fitness studios and salons, and everything in between. Entering its 5th year in New Zealand, Shop Small also exists in Australia, Canada, Japan, India, Hong Kong, the UK, the U.S. and other countries.
     
     
     
     
     
    About the Florida SBDC Network:
    For more than 45 years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy. In 2023, the Florida SBDC Network delivered 111,720 hours of consulting to 14,808 small business clients - resulting in business owners securing $346 million in capital, $575 million in government contracting, impacting 19,263 jobs, increasing sales by over $3.9 billion, and creating 1058 businesses. With over 40 offices statewide, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners. The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
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